First NFL female official not intimidated

Referee Craig Ochoa, left, talks with field judge Rusty Spindel (105) during the first quarter of the NFL Hall of Fame exhibition football game between the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Referee Craig Ochoa, left, talks with field judge Rusty Spindel (105) during the first quarter of the NFL Hall of Fame exhibition football game between the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with referee Craig Ochoa (73) during the third quarter of the Hall of Fame exhibition football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 in Canton, Ohio. The Saints won 17-10.(AP Photo/Scott Galvin)

The NFL's first female official is welcoming her role as a sports pioneer.

Shannon Eastin says she's excited and a bit nervous but not at all intimidated by the challenge of working a pro game. Eastin makes her NFL debut Thursday night as the line judge when the Green Bay Packers play at San Diego in the preseason opener for both teams. A 42-year-old referee in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ? college football's second-highest level ? Eastin has 16 years of officiating experience.

She is among the replacement officials hired by the league while the regular officials are locked out. Like the rest of her current colleagues, she could easily be back to her regular officiating gig once a new labor deal is struck.

"I want to encourage women: Don't be afraid," Eastin said on a conference call Tuesday. "Pursue and have dreams. This is my dream. With very step I hope to show it really doesn't matter if you are male or female."

Eastin is in a particularly difficult spot for three reasons:

? No woman has officiated an NFL game;

? The Chargers host the Packers on national television;

? She is viewed by some of the NFL's regular officials as a scab.

"Hopefully there is some understanding on their part I have got to do what's in the best interest of myself," Eastin said of the regular officials, "just as they have to do what is in their best interest."

Regardless, she says this was a chance she couldn't pass up.

"I believe I am ready," she said. "I'm a realistic person and I know what is realistic for me. I am not going to play football. I feel it is realistic for me to officiate.

"I make myself ready for any opportunity that comes my way. I will come in with my eyes wide open."

She'll also come in with millions of eyes on her, as well as on the other replacement officials. A crew worked the Hall of Fame game on Sunday with mixed reviews.

Beginning Thursday, the replacements will officiate 16 more games. It is the first time in 11 years that replacements have worked games; that standoff lasted one week into the regular season.

Eastin isn't looking ahead as far as September. She recognizes she is auditioning every time she blows the whistle.

"There's been a lot of talk that the NFL is wanting to bring in a female and, quite frankly, this could be the opportunity," she said. "I felt it is something I needed to do, make that step and see what comes from there."

She said she took regular officials' situation into consideration as well as the scrutiny she would receive.

"The pressure?" she said. "I think knowing I am a female in a man's world, I always put more pressure on myself. I know what I signed up for, and that what I do is magnified."

Her biggest challenges will be handling the different rules in the pros and positioning, Eastin said. She has visited some team training camps to prepare and didn't see a huge difference in the speed of the game.

"But they have not been at top speed," she said. "I believe it is important when you step on the field to have a presences and a professionalism to know what you are doing."

Originally from Worcester, Mass., Eastin took up judo as a child and competed at the senior level when she was 11 years old. She retired from the sport as a teenager.

Although "football has always been in my blood," Eastin originally set out to be a basketball coach, and then an official, after she quit judo at age 15.

She asked about working football games while awaiting the start of the basketball season and found her comfort zone.

She worked high school games before moving up to the colleges and eventually to the MEAC, where she is the first woman to be a crew chief. Eastin also trains officials in football and basketball at SE Sports Officiating, a company she owns.

"There are probably not as many women (students) as I'd like," said Eastin, who now lives in Tempe, Ariz.

Eastin mentioned former NFL referees Red Cashion and Jerry Markbreit as significant boosters for her career. And she cited NBA referee Violet Palmer as one of her inspirations.

Palmer began officiating NBA games in 1997 and still is doing it.

Bernice Gera became the first woman to umpire in baseball's minor leagues when she worked a New York-Penn League game in 1972. Pam Postema (1989) umpired major league spring training games. Championed by commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, Postema made it up to Triple-A for six seasons. She was fired a few months after Giamatti's death, filed a sex discrimination suit against baseball and settled out of court 5? years later.

While Eastin says she has dealt with sexism during her career, she doesn't harp on it. Plus, players, coaches and other officials have been supportive ? for the most part.

"I am sure everyone knows there will be some of that along the way," she said, referring to sexism. "I try to stick with people who want me to succeed, not the people who don't want a woman to succeed."

Can she succeed? Eastin insists she has no back-down in her makeup.

"I'll be working even harder," she said, "to show I am capable and I am where I should be."

___

AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this story.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-08-07-Female%20Official/id-43bd6220cc8246759635486652ae63c0

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Union County Olympian Expelled From London Games

Nicholas Delpopolo, a Westfield native who placed seventh in his division at the London Olympics, has been expelled from the Olympic games after allegedly testing positive for marijuana.

As a result, the International Olympic Committee has disqualifed Delpopolo's result from the men's 73 kg Judo event.

According to information on the official International Olympics website, Delpopolo's diploma in the event has been withdrawn and his Olympic identity and accreditation card has been cancelled and withdrawn.

Delpopolo, 23, is ranked number one in the U.S. and 12th in the world in the sport. He secured his spot on the U.S. Olympic Judo team on May 12 after a dramatic fight to the finish against long-time rival Mike Eldred at?the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami. He was?among six Americans competing on the U.S. Judo team and was the only one in his 73 kg weight class.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Delpopolo has issued an apology: "My positive test was caused by my inadvertent consumption of food that I did not realize had been baked with marijuana, before I left for the Olympic Games. I apologize to the U.S. Olympic Committee, to my teammates, and to my fans, and I am embarrassed by this mistake."

Delpopolo continued, "I look forward to representing my country in the future and will re-dedicate myself to being the best judo athlete that I can be."

Source: http://parsippany.patch.com/articles/union-county-olympian-expelled-from-london-games

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Learn How to Deal with Anxiety - Jack Herrick s Fitness Endeavor

August 5th, 2012 | Recent Health News Articles

Have you every been so nervous or anxious about something that it made your whole body freeze up? Maybe you didn?t freeze up, but you started sweating, or you were unable to speak you thoughts clearly. These are all things that can happen to anyone at anytime when anxiety takes over their body. There are many ways that people can learn that will teach them how to deal with anxiety. Feelings of anxiety cannot be clearly explained, or always clearly understood by other people. People on the outside looking in might think of your anxiety as irrational or unnecessary, but it is not that simple.

Instead of disregarding anxiety as something that shouldn?t happen, it is better to learn how to deal with it head on. One of the best ways to combat anxiety is to relax. This sounds very simple, but vegging out in front of a television or having a few beverages is not true relaxation. Those activities put the body into a false state of relaxation. True relaxation comes from learning deep breathing techniques, or doing something like yoga. A simple breathing exercise when you feel anxiety coming on is to close your eyes and take ten deep breaths. You should inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. After the ten breaths, refocus your energy and keep moving forward through your day.

Another great tip on how to deal with anxiety is to get plenty of sleep, plenty of exercise and the proper nutrition. When our bodies are properly nourished, and we are getting enough sleep, we can focus much more clearly. We can also deal with anxious feelings in a much more positive and productive way.

A final tip on how to deal with anxiety is to connect with others that experience the same feelings that you do. Having the reassurance that someone else is going through the same things that you are can bring great relief to the mind and body. We all need to feel that we belong, and connecting with other people that share issues with anxiety can be very healthy. Remember that anxiety can be dealt with in a positive and productive manner to prevent it from running your life.

Source: http://www.jackherrick.net/recent-health-news-articles/learn-how-to-deal-with-anxiety/

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Boise State football camp notebook: Broncos adjust to NCAA sanctions

Boise State?s incoming football recruits have traded couches for beds ? and become less comfortable.

The Broncos addressed the situation that led to their NCAA violations by creating a bridge program for new players, who live in dorms and take two classes while working out with the team during the summer.

It?s a grueling introduction to college football ? and one coach Chris Petersen still doesn?t like, but has accepted as a defense against rules violations.

?Happier, yes,? he said of his take on the second year of the program. ?Do I think it?s the best way? No.?

The Broncos got in trouble with the NCAA because incoming recruits were sleeping on couches and floors at the residences of their new teammates during voluntary summer workouts. Those are impermissible benefits. The penalties, announced in September 2011, included three fewer preseason practices in 2011 and 2012, less contact in spring ball for three years and the loss of nine scholarships. The scholarship total was ruled excessive by the NCAA appeals committee but hasn?t been reduced yet.

Petersen implemented the bridge program last year to avoid such problems. The players arrive together in June and can live in the dorms and be on scholarship because of their classes.

The days are long, with two classes every weekday, conditioning workouts and player-run practices. There?s study hall, too.

?It was a wake-up call, definitely,? said redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Ukwuachu, who participated in the program last year. ?We didn?t get done until late in the evening. It?d be a grind.?

Petersen tweaked the program this year. One change: The players were in class Monday-Friday instead of Monday-Thursday, which made shorter class periods.

Boise State and its recruits also were more prepared than last year, Petersen said.

?These guys handled it better,? he said.

The team leaders noticed that, too.

?This class is more focused,? senior cornerback Jamar Taylor said. ?They want to play. And they know if they come in and handle their business they?ll be OK.?

CAMP IMPRESSIONS

? Defensive tackle Mike Atkinson and wide receiver Mitch Burroughs, both seniors, showed up frequently in the Sunday morning veteran practice. Atkinson was in on two sacks, forcing a fumble, and Burroughs made one nifty catch along the sideline on a well-defended pass and broke free down the field for another grab.

? True freshman wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes (5-foot-7, 160 pounds) generated a buzz among the veterans watching the afternoon newcomers practice with two big plays, including one on which he juked a defender after a short catch and took off down the sideline. On National Signing Day, coach Chris Petersen said: ?The smallest guy on our roster might be the guy that excites everybody the most. I don?t like to put pressure on any guys, but coming in we haven?t had many guys who have made the plays he can make in high school.?

? Redshirt freshman tight end Holden Huff was Petersen?s camper of the day after making several catches. ?Holden is making plays for us out there, and we like playmakers,? Petersen told Broncosports.com.

SPOTLIGHT ON ? OL JAKE BROYLES

Junior Jake Broyles is right back where he was a year ago ? fighting for a starting job on the Broncos? offensive line.

He won the job at right guard in 2011 but injured the big toe on his left foot in the third game of the year. He missed the rest of the season and eased back into action in spring ball.

He?s 100 percent now and competing with senior Michael Ames, junior Spencer Gerke and senior Brenel Myers ? all of whom have starting experience ? for a spot on the line.

?It?s awesome,? Broyles said. ?We?re all huge competitors. We all want to be out there. We know at the end of the day the best guy?s going to get the job.?

Broyles was surprised to learn that his injury required such an extensive rehab. He figured a toe wouldn?t be that bad.

?It just happens, and (the season) is gone like that,? he said. ?It?s a little hard to deal with it. You realize you have a couple years left and you still have teammates that need your support.?

He tried to use the time wisely. He improved his upper-body strength, worked his healthy leg and evaluated his own game.

?Mostly my footwork needs to be a little more precise,? he said.

He also drew motivation from the setback.

?It puts everything in perspective of how this is what you wanted to do ever since you can remember,? Broyles said. ?It gives you a little bit more motivation that you want to be out there and stay healthy.?

MEANWHILE, AT FRESNO STATE ?

The Bulldogs? offensive linemen are getting fitter and leaner to survive in the fast-paced, no-huddle offense of new coach Tim DeRuyter, the Fresno Bee reports. One lineman, Cody Wichmann, has lost about 30 pounds.

?They look different walking onto the field,? offensive line coach Cameron Norcross told the Bee. ?They don?t waddle onto the field, they saunter. They have a swagger to them now because they know they?ve changed themselves.?

Chadd Cripe: 377-6398, Twitter: @IDS_BroncoBeat

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IdahostatesmancomSports/~3/z3zth796a0U/boise-state-adjusts-to-ncaa-sanctions.html

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Israel says attack should be "wake-up call" for Egypt

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday eight gunmen from a global jihadist group were killed in their attempt to breach the Israeli border with Egypt's Sinai on Sunday.

Barak told a parliamentary committee that the gunmen had also killed 13 to 15 Egyptian troops. He added that Israel had been in touch with the Egyptian authorities "to see if we could provide any help".

(Created by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; editing by Crispian Balmer)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-says-eight-gunmen-killed-sinai-attack-063355690.html

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No regrets for India's first 'Playmate'

The first Indian woman to pose naked for Playboy magazine says she is proud to have "pushed the envelope" in a country where public nudity in any form remains largely taboo.

Minor Bollywood actress Sherlyn Chopra, 28, will feature in a nude spread in the November issue of the magazine, although her Indian fans will be hard pushed to get hold of a copy.

Playboy, along with a host of other foreign "adult" magazines, is banned in India, which has strict obscenity laws proscribing any public act or published material deemed to be "lascivious or appealing to prurient interests".

News that Chopra had become India's first "Playmate" caused quite a stir, fuelled by Chopra herself posting nude out-take pictures from the Playboy shoot on the microblogging site Twitter.

As well as some inevitably lascivious and prurient responses, many Indian Twitter users criticised her decision and accused her of a desperate publicity stunt to further her acting career. She had written to Playboy herself expressing an interest in posing.

"If you consider being the 1st Indian woman to pose for Playboy an 'achievement,' you should consider raising your standards," tweeted @Sunu_K.

In an e-mail interview with AFP, Chopra dismissed her critics and said she considered herself a pioneer for sexual freedom in India.

"I had no apprehensions and have no regrets: just feelings of pure liberation and sheer excitement," she said of the Playboy shoot in Los Angeles.

"I'm proud to have pushed the envelope and I will not hesitate to lead my life on my terms consistently."

Chopra's Bollywood career to date has been decidedly B-list, with bit roles in less than a dozen movies, including the 2003 box-office dud "Dosti" (Friendship) and a film titled "Naughty Boy".

Her labelling as a "Bollywood legend" on the Playboy website was widely mocked in India, and Chopra admitted it was a "surreal" tag.

"I know that I'm just a girl with big dreams," she said.

Indian writers, actors and artists who have sought to push the boundaries of traditional Indian morals have sometimes found themselves targeted by conservative religious groups, but Chopra appeared unworried at the prospect of a backlash.

"The moral guardians have never done any real good to me or the society at large," she said.

"So let them do whatever they are good at while I do what I truly enjoy."

The publicity generated by Chopra's shoot has been overshadowed in recent days by the release of what has been billed as one of India's raunchiest mainstream movies, "Jism 2" (Body 2).

Real-life adult film star Sunny Leone -- born in India to Canadian parents -- plays a porn actress in the movie, which has stirred controversy with its provocative publicity material and content.

The mayor of Mumbai, Sunil Prabhu, ordered the removal of promotional posters for the film from public buses in India's entertainment capital after a local legislator complained the image used was obscene.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/no-regrets-indias-first-playmate-074932773.html

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Source: http://www.pdp-ana.org/shopping-and-product-reviews/251/

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