SPORTS DIGEST || East's Chris Fitzgerald commits to Penguins

East's Chris Fitzgerald commits to Penguins

YOUNGSTOWN

East defensive tackle Chris Fitzgerald committed to play football at Youngstown State. The commitment was announced on Saturday.

Fitzgerald, a senior, has started the last three seasons for the Golden Bears. He recorded 67 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, in 10 games last season.

Fitzgerald received the offer in June.

Air Force's Kim is first openly gay service player

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

An Air Force defensive back is the first openly gay football player to play for a military academy.

The Gazette reports that sophomore Bradley Kim announced his sexual orientation on Friday to teammates, on social media and in an article in OutSports.

Kim said on social media that he is now comfortable and confident enough in himself to say that he is gay. He says he hopes that he can be an example to people who fear they won't be accepted.

Stephen Peters II, founder of the advocacy group The American Military Partner Association, says, "To our knowledge, it's safe to say Kim is the first Division 1 military academy football player to come out."

Several of Kim's teammates sent him messages of support through social media.

Air Force Academy officials say the academy strives to foster a culture where everyone gives and receives dignity and respect.

Thomas seals his first Tour de France title

ESPELETTE, France

Geraint Thomas effectively sealed his first Tour de France title on Saturday by protecting the yellow jersey in the penultimate stage time trial.

Thomas, a Welsh rider with Team Sky, takes a lead of 1 minute, 51 seconds over Tom Dumoulin into the mostly ceremonial finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday.

Dumoulin won the stage by one second ahead of four-time champion Chris Froome, who leapfrogged Primoz Roglic into third place overall.

Thomas finished third in the 20th stage, 14 seconds behind, but that was more than enough to protect the lead of more than two minutes he had at the start of the day.

Wearing an all-yellow skin suit while riding a bike in the red, white and blue colors of the British flag, the 32-year-old Thomas was the last rider to start.

With a few drops of rain falling, Thomas was quick to regain control when his wheel appeared to lock up coming around a tricky, tight corner early in the route.

At the finish, Thomas let out a loud scream and held his arms out wide in celebration. He then embraced his wife, Sara Elen, as soon as he got off his bike.

Team Parker wins WNBA All-Star Game

MINNEAPOLIS

Lynx star Maya Moore won her third straight All-Star MVP award to lead Team Parker past Team Delle Donne 119-112 in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday.

Moore scored 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists to win on her home court. She joined Lisa Leslie as the only three-time MVP of the game and became the all-time scoring leader in All-Star history, passing Tamika Catchings' mark of 108 points.

Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky also scored 18 points and Skylar Diggins-Smith added 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists for Team Parker.

Team Delle Donne's Kristi Tolliver of the Washington Mystics led all scorers with 23 points. Rookie A'ja Wilson of the Los Vegas Aces added 18 points.

Liz Cambage capped off the game with a dunk, becoming the sixth different player to do it in the game.

Four players from the hometown Minnesota Lynx were selected for the game, two on each roster, creating a festive atmosphere with the crowd cheering loudly for both sides throughout the game. Moore and Brunson (four points, five rebounds) played for the winning side, while Seimone Augustus (14 points) and Sylvia Fowles (two points, six rebounds) played for Team Delle Donne.

Staff/Wire Report