FSN NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
by FOX Sports Net
AFLAC ALL-AMERICAN BASEBALL CLASSIC
For the fifth consecutive year, FSN showcases the top high school baseball players from across the country as they take the field for the 2007 AFLAC ALL-AMERICAN BASEBALL CLASSIC. Airing on Saturday, August 11 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, the game is played at San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium. Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All Star and 13-time Gold Glove award winner, is this year's honorary chairman. Bob Rathburn calls the game alongside analyst George Frazier.
UPCOMING: IT'S ALL GOOD
Headlines scream with glaring issues facing the sports world: gambling referees, steroid-aided records, an entire bicycle race under a cloud of suspicion and the face of an NFL team indicted in a case that has sent shockwaves through the nation.But take a step back from the bright lights focused on the problems and see that professional sports continues to be overwhelmed with positive stories. Former teammates literally putting their lives on the line for each other; an NFL player doing everything he can to make sure single mothers have the chance to raise their kids in a world of opportunity, not oppression and a team owner whose own military past leads him to help out a duo of Iraq War veterans. FSN showcases these uplifting, human-interest stories in IT'S ALL GOOD, a 30-minute show airing on Saturday, August 18 at 9:30 p.m. local.
Hosted by FSN anchor Laura Okmin, the show focuses on three captivating stories. Green Bay WR Donald Driver grew up with a single mom who worked two jobs trying to take care of five kids. Driver spent time during his early teens living out of a UHaul truck and in motel rooms his mom would get in exchange for food stamps. In desperate times, Driver became a drug dealer and car thief to get by. But he worked hard and overcame his impoverished upbringing to make it to the NFL. Yet he never forgot his tough childhood and how hard it was on his mother and Driver believed that no other single mother should have to deal with the same fate. He formed the Donald Driver Foundation in 2001 so other homeless mothers and underprivileged children wouldn't be stuck in a hopeless cycle. Okmin talks with Driver and visits with some of the families whose lives he changed.
Robbie Doughty awoke in an army hospital three years ago with no legs. Inspired by the events of 9/11, the Paducah, KY native signed up for the army. His life changed forever when a roadside mortar round exploded beside the convoy he was traveling in. Determined not to let his injury get him down, Doughtry's optimistic attitude was the focus of a USA Today piece that was read by Detroit Tigers and Red Wings owner and army veteran Mike Illtch. Impressed with Daughty's spirit, Ilitch called the young man to tell him he respected what he had done for the country and wanted to do something in return. That something was to give Doughty and one of Daughty's fellow soldiers a Little Caesars Pizza franchise in his hometown. The whole thing, free and clear — the building, the equipment, even a special chair for Doughty behind the counter. All Doughty had to do was run it. Danyelle Sargeant sees the impact the gesture had on Ilitch, Doughty and an entire Kentucky town.
Ron Springs and Everson Walls played together on the Dallas Cowboys back in the 1980s. The blocking back and the big-play defensive back. Springs was diagnosed about 15 years ago with diabetes was in desperate need of a new kidney to save his life. When his former teammate heard of Springs' plight, Walls discretely got tested and when he found out he was a match, Walls didn't hesitate to offer one of his kidneys to Springs. The amazing gesture has brought the two men even closer together and has allowed Springs to live a more normal life. Former NFL great and FSN analyst Eddie George speaks with the two men about teammates, friendship and sacrifice.
BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD
BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD's "Best Fan Sports Show" contest continues, with the show opening up its content doors to fans at home and giving them the ability to be the stars of an episode from BDSSP's popular Top 50 series. Sports cinematographers across America can send in their funniest, zaniest, most off-the-wall sports bloopers on home video with the best entries making the cut and earning a place in "Best Fan Top 50 Bloopers".
Submissions can be made by going to www.foxsports.com/bestdamn and clicking on the Best Fan Sports Show Period logo. The submitter of the best fan blooper will have the video featured prominently in the Top 50 show, plus will win a trip for two to a taping of BDSSP and $1,000.
BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD is the network's nightly sports talk show hosted by Chris Rose, alongside NBA expert John Salley, former All-Star pitcher Rob Dibble and NFL veteran Rodney Peete. Regularly featuring fun interviews with top athletes, coaches, celebrities and entertainers, BDSSP airs weeknights at 9 p.m., 11 p.m., and 12:30 a.m. local.
THIS WEEK ON BEST DAMN:
Wednesday, August 8 — Former NFL RB and FSN NFL analyst Eddie George guest hosts, NY Mets pitcher Tom Glavine
Thursday, August 9 — BEST DAMN TOP 50 AMAZING CATCHES
Friday, August 10 — Today Show host Tiki Barber, Entourage stars Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon
UPCOMING: RED BULL AIR RACE
The RED BULL AIR RACE is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat aerial competition pitting the world's most talented pilots against each other in a contest of speed, precision and skill. The best racing pilots in the world navigate a challenging race course in the sky, in the fastest possible time. Flying individually against the clock, the pilots have to execute tight turns through a slalom course consisting of specially designed pylons known as air gates.
The pilots compete in knockout rounds with the two fastest pilots going head to head in the final. The Air Race is not just about speed - precision is crucial to success because any mistakes incur penalty points which are then added to the pilot's time. With the planes flying low to the ground at speeds that can reach 400kph, the Red Bull Air Races have become one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. This season's debut episode from Abu Dhabi in the UAE airs Sunday, August 19 at 6 p.m. local. New races air each Sunday night at 6 p.m..
THE FSN FINAL SCORE
This week, FSN continues its nightly sports highlight show THE FSN FINAL SCORE. The show is 30 minutes of fast-paced highlights of the day's best moments the sports world has to offer. FINAL SCORE airs nightly at 10:30 p.m. local with repeats airing regularly.
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