Episodes – Page 1397

University System of Maryland’s board of regents chair resigns

iStock/Thinkstock(BALTIMORE) — The fallout surrounding the University of Maryland’s football program continues.

In a statement Thursday, James T. Brady, the chairman of the University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents, announced he was resigning immediately.

The news comes following the university’s decision to fire its head football coach, DJ Durkin, amid backlash from students and parents over his reinstatement.

The school announced Durkin’s departure late Wednesday, just a day after the board of regents concluded he should be reinstated despite the president’s recommendation against it. The board does not have the authority to remove the coach though the president does.

“The chair of the Board of Regents has publicly acknowledged that I had previously raised serious concerns about Coach Durkin’s return,” University of Maryland President Wallace Loh said in a statement. “This is not at all a reflection of my opinion of Coach Durkin as a person. However, a departure is in the best interest of the University, and this afternoon Coach Durkin was informed that the University will part ways.”

Durkin had been placed on administrative leave in August amid an investigation into an alleged toxic culture at the school’s football program following the death of 19-year-old Jordan McNair, who suffered heatstroke during a practice in May.

In his statement, Brady said he respects the many people “who disagreed with the recommendations a majority of this board ultimately made.”

“These were difficult decisions, based on information included in reports stemming from two investigations and a great deal of thought and deliberation,” he said. “I understand that reasonable people could come to other conclusions. And even among our board, some did.”

Brady continued: “In recent days, I have become the public face of both the board and its decisions related to these matters. In my estimation, my continued presence on the board will inhibit its ability to move Maryland’s higher education agenda forward. And I have no interest in serving as a distraction from that important work.”

“Accordingly, I will step down from the Board of Regents immediately,” he said.

49ers cheerleader takes a knee during national anthem

iStock/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) — A San Francisco 49ers cheerleader dropped to her knee during the national anthem ahead of Thursday’s matchup against the Oakland Raiders in what appears to be the first public protest by an NFL cheerleader.

At this time, it remains unclear which cheerleader knelt while the rest of the squad stood in formation.

The movement to take a knee started during the 2016 preseason when quarterback Colin Kaepernick — then playing for the 49ers — knelt during the anthem to protest social injustices that minorities face, especially by police. He was joined by his teammate Eric Reid, along with others in the league.

The 30-year-old’s controversial demonstration attracted both backlash and praise by spectators, including President Donald Trump, who called for the firing of NFL players who knelt in protest during the anthem.

Kaepernick was ultimately marked as the face of the national movement. In 2017, he opted out of his contract, making him a free agent. Kaepernick currently remains unsigned for the 2018 season.

In May, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell introduced a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem, but would allow them to have the option of remaining in the locker room during the pregame performance if they choose to do so. The policy would ultimately fine teams for players who chose to sit or kneel during the anthem. The NFL, however, put the policy on hold for the 2018 season to allow for further discussion between the union and the league about the issue, according to ESPN.

Kaepernick’s demonstrations continue to draw support from a number of athletes and other personnel in the NFL.

Earlier this season, Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson knelt and defensive end Robert Quinn raised a clenched fist while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A South Florida police union urged its members to boycott the football teams’ games in wake of the incident.

During the 2017 season, Meghan Linsey — a singer who performed the national anthem during the Seattle Seahawks-Tennessee Titans game — took a knee on the field with no players present after she finished her rendition.

Scoreboard roundup — 11/1/18

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from yesterday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Denver 110, Cleveland 91
Philadelphia 122, L.A. Clippers 113
Oklahoma City 111, Charlotte 107
Sacramento 146, Atlanta 115
Boston 117, Milwaukee 113
Portland 132, New Orleans 119

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Winnipeg 4, Florida 2
N-Y Islanders 3, Pittsburgh 2
Dallas 2, Toronto 1
Detroit 4, New Jersey 3
Montreal 6, Washington 4
Nashville 4, Tampa Bay 1
Ottawa 4, Buffalo 2
St. Louis 5, Vegas 3
Calgary 6, Colorado 5
Edmonton 4, Chicago 0
N-Y Rangers 3, Anaheim 2
Philadelphia 5, L.A. Kings 2
Columbus 4, San Jose 1

TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
(9) UCF 52, Temple 40

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
San Francisco 34, Oakland 3

Michelle Williams and Chad Johnson reflect on how their love grew stronger as she coped with depression

Courtesy of OWNMichelle Williams and her fiancée Chad Johnson share their romance on the new reality series, Chad Loves Michelle, and they say their love has grown stronger as she copes with the depression she recently revealed to the public.

After getting engaged in April, Michelle briefly broke off their engagement as she experienced doubt about her own self-worth.

“Just going through a place of feeling like you have what you prayed for, and then when you get it, its like, OK, I’m not worth it,” she tells ABC Radio. “That’s so silly, but just to know that I think we’re more in love because he stayed with me through it all.”

Chad, who is a pastor, explained how he coped with Michelle’s emotional struggles. “I really had to focus on the fact that I love her and I had to focus on her needs right now,” he says.

The former Destiny’s Child singer remembers that, through her ordeal, she never had doubts that Chad was the man of her dreams.

“I didn’t have cold feet. I know that I want him. Marry him. I know that he’s the one,” she says. “But it was my own inner dealings and workings of not feeling like, OK, am I good enough for him? I think the ring on my finger exposed what needed to be really dealt with and healed.”

Chad remembers how he helped Michelle heal.

“I just had to say, I know that she needs somebody that’s a rock right now and I’m gonna do the best I can to put my feelings aside.”

Watch Michelle Williams and Chad Johnson reveal the ups and down of their love affair in Chad Loves Michelle, which premieres Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on OWN.

Simone Biles makes history as 1st woman to win 4 all-around world titles

Francois Nel(DOHA, Qatar) — Simone Biles made history as the first woman to win four all-around world titles when she took home her fourth world championship title today in Doha, Qatar.

Biles, 21, beat out Mai Murakamai of Japan and fellow Team USA member Morgan Hurd to win the gold medal, despite falling two times during her all-around final.

Biles skyrocketed to fame as a member of the “Final Five” women’s gymnastics team that took home gold medals during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

She may have taken two tumbles during the competition, but Biles was rewarded by judges for the level of difficulty she went for, according to reports.

Despite her history-making win, the Texas native says she still believes she can do better.

Biles wrote in an Instagram post that she had “so many emotions” and that it has been “less than a year since I got back into training so I try not to be too hard on myself.”

She continued: “Although I still placed 1st and MADE HISTORY I’m not entirely pleased with my performance. I’m still trying to find my confidence. But I won’t give up ?? I’m proud of myself! —> now onto finals.”

When not competing, Biles has become an increasingly vocal critic of USA Gymnastics leadership in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal.

Astroworld fashion: Travis Scott stars in new Saint Laurent campaign

ABC/Randy HolmesTravis Scott is returning as the star of the new Saint Laurent campaign.

After promoting the company’s 2017 spring collection, La Flame was chosen as the face of the Saint Laurent 2019 spring/summer campaign.

The Houston rapper posted two black and white photos on Instagram with the comment, “La flame St Laurent ’19.” He also appears in a 15 second teaser video promo.

In January, Scott also collaborated with Saint Laurent, curating a limited edition, 12-track vinyl album featuring music by Cardi B, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, 21 Savage, Young Thug, and Frank Ocean, as well as his own song, “sweet sweet.”

Scott is kicking off his Astroworld: Wish You Were Here tour on November 8 in Baltimore. The trek continues through December 22 in Portland, Oregon.

Trey Songz releases “Shooting Shots” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Tory Lanez

Atlantic RecordsTrey Songz just dropped his new track, “Shooting Shots,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Torey Lanez.

The song is the follow-up to his previous single, “How Dat Sound,” featuring 2 Chainz and Yo Gotti, from his upcoming movie, Blood Brother, which opens November 30.

Trigga stars for the first time in a lead role in the film as Sonny, a policeman confronted by his good friend, Jake, who’s being released from prison. Sonny has to fight for his life as the former convict is bent on revenge for him and against his other childhood buddies, whom he believes let him take the fall for a crime they collectively committed.

The 33-year-old singer from Virginia will be featured on the five-city RNB Fridays Live stadium tour in Australia which kicks off November 9 in Perth, and continues through November 17 in Sydney. Usher, T-Pain, Lil Jon, Estelle, Ginuwine, Salt-N-Pepa, Eve, Naughty by Nature, Estelle, Next, and more will also perform.

Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, SZA and more honor the late Mac Miller at “Celebration of Life” concert

Live NationTravis Scott, Chance the Rapper, SZA, Ty Dolla $ign, Rae Sremmurd, Action Bronson, Juicy J, Anderson .Paak, Miguel, Schoolboy Q and Vince Staples were among the stars performing at the Mac Miller “Celebration of Life” memorial concert Wednesday night at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

Lil Wayne, A$AP Ferg, Joey Bada$$, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pharrell, DJ Premier, The Internet, Rick Ross, G-Eazy, Pusha T, and Tyler, the Creator also remembered the late rapper in a video montage, according to Billboard.

After performing “Goosebumps,” Scott had a message of love for the crowd: “To all Mac’s fans, just know that you kept this whole thing going…we all know Mac is watching over us…I just want everybody to stay strong. If you have a friend with you, just always tell ’em you love them.”

“Always give your mama a kiss,” Travis continued. “Always give your dad a hug. No matter if you’re mad at somebody, the next day check on ’em, it don’t matter. Everybody is somebody. We’re all one, no matter their skin color, their hair, if you’re a rapper, a basketball player. The key word to this whole motherf***ing s**t is love.”

The event benefited the Mac Miller Circles Fund, which provides programming, resources and opportunities to youth from under-served communities, helping them recognize their full potential through exploration in the arts and community building.

Miller died of an apparent drug overdose on September 7. He was 26.

Diana Ross, John Legend and Ella Mai to perform during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy’sDiana Ross, John Legend and Ella Mai will be among the performers at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

The list of entertainers also includes Rita Ora, Bad Bunny — who’s featured on Cardi B’s “I Like It” — and singer/actress Anika Noni Rose.

Ross will make it a family affair, appearing with her children Rhonda Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, Ross Naess and Evan Ross. The former lead singer of The Supremes just released a new holiday album, Wonderful Christmas Time, including “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Silent Night.”

The 92nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air Thursday, November 22 at 9:00 a.m. ET on NBC, and will also be streamed online.

Beyoncé and JAY-Z pay tribute to Olympic champions Florence Griffith-Joyner and Tommie Smith

Raven Varona/Parkwood/PictureGroupBeyoncé and JAY-Z celebrated Halloween by paying tribute to two historic American Olympic champions on Instagram: Florence Griffith-Joyner and Tommie Smith.

Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, won three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, and is considered the fastest female sprinter of all time. She still holds the world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters, and was was one of the most glamorous female athletes.

Beyoncé recreated Flo Jo’s look from the 1988 Olympics, wearing a purple leotard and blue shorts.

JAY appeared as Smith, who became a symbol of the black power movement when he won the gold medal in the 200 meters at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Along with bronze medal winner John Carlos, they created an iconic image when they raised their fists in the black power salute while receiving their medals, as the world watched on television.

Before appearing as Flo Jo, Beyoncé also paid tribute to Toni Braxton by recreating the album cover for Toni’s 1993 multi-platinum self-titled debut.