Iverson Paying for Fan’s Funeral

Ever since Allen Iverson came into the league, he’s been looked at as a thug with too many tattoos, intimidating cornrows and a bad attitude (“It’s just practice!!”). But Iverson is putting most of those opinions to rest with his consistent high level of play on the court and his maturity off the court. Now Iverson has offered to pay for the funeral of Kevin Johnson, a fan who was shot three years ago after local thugs tried to take his Iverson jersey. Iverson said he’s tired of all the violence in the Philadelphia metro area.

"I don't think one guy can do what needs to be done, but I think one guy can help," Iverson told the Associated Press. "I think it's going to take a collective effort and there are a lot of good people trying to help the situation in Philadelphia."

On June 24, 2003 Johnson was waiting for a trolley when a group of teens told him to give up his jersey. When he refused one of the teens, Robert Ferguson (who is serving time for attempted murder), shot Johnson in the back of the neck and left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Eventually, Johnson had to breathe through a ventilator. Last week the ventilator failed causing irreparable brain damage and the family chose to take him off it.

"If they were that serious about that jersey I would have given them 100 jerseys if they wanted it," Iverson said. "It was just tough, just to see somebody die for something senseless like that, over a jersey, over something material. I felt like I have got to do something more than what I have been doing to help this situation as much as I can. If I can reach one person and take one death away, I think I can do something."

Johnson’s funeral was held on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and he was buried in an Iverson jersey.

Ronaldinho Launches Nike Collection

World super star soccer player Ronaldhinho has finally launched his own signature line with Nike . Joining the ranks of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James, Ronadinho is the first soccer player to get his own signature product line with Nike. The line includes a new soccer shoe, Tiempo Ronaldinho, a ball, shin guards and signature gym bag. The line is inspired by Ronaldinho’s passion and commitment to the game.

"Everything I know, everything I have, I owe to my family,” Ronaldinho said. “I play with music in my head ... as long as there is a ball, I am happy."

Ronaldinho also had a hand in designing his shoes, asking Nike to enlarge and enhance the medial side of the shoe for his magical footwork on the field.

“If there is magic, it is because of training and hard work, to be ready for every situation,” he said. “I am happy when I can confuse a defender. To do that requires not only physical skill, but supreme ball control. And for that I need a boot that is an extension of my foot. With the way I play, I needed a bigger sweet spot. I need a lot of ball control, because I do a lot of dribbling, passing, as well as taking a lot of free kicks.”

Look for Ronaldinho to be juking and breaking ankles for years to come.

Shaun Alexander says "Let’s Just Play"

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has teamed up with Nickelodeon to help kids get active with the “Let’s Just Play” public awareness campaign. The campaign encourages young people to engage in playful, healthful, and active lifestyles.

"Today's children have many more options of things to do in their free time than I or their parents had," Alexander said. "Teaming with Nickelodeon and the 'Let's Just Play' campaign gives me the opportunity to raise awareness and encourage my youngest fans to get back to the basics of having fun through physical activities."

Alexander is appearing in public service announcements that started airing on Nickelodeon last week. The PSA focuses on the importance of a balanced diet and energizing the body. He will also serve as a spokesperson for the 2007 Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge. Seattle fans are probably hoping that Alexander will ‘just play’ to finish out the Seahawk’s dismal season on a brighter note.

Carmelo Campaigns New Shoe

If you watched the powerful, inspiring and enlightening (yeah right) BET Hip-Hop Awards last week, you probably caught the debut of Carmelo Anthony's commercial promoting his new shoe, the M3. Not only is the promotional campaign hitting TV and print publications, but an extensive part of it is online.

Up now at www.jumpman23, you can not only take a look at the new shows, but also kind of conduct your own interview with Melo. You can find out about his hobbies (fishing), his outside projects (a new film called ‘Prison Ball’) and the upcoming video game with him on the cover (‘NBA Street: Homecourt’).

Looks like this could be Carmelo’s year, his commercials and online campaign are better than both LeBron’s and Dwyane Wade’s, yes, we admit that we’re biased; but what do you expect, the TPL offices are based out of Denver.

Chris Webber Opens Restaurant

Chris Webber may be sporting a Philadelphia 76ers jersey nowadays, but he still has nothing but love for Sacramento. Last week the former Sacramento King opened up Center Court with C-Webb, a new restaurant he hopes will lead to a successful chain. Even though Webber is out of town most of the year, he said that he’ll still be coming around.

"I'll be coming in, but not only me," Webber told the Sacramento Bee. "I put calls out to my NBA friends and we'll take special care of them when they come in."

However, by the looks of his recent play, he may be hanging at his restaurant sooner than later.

Emmitt Smith: Still a Champ

He has the most touchdowns for a running back at 166. He holds the NFL record in career rushing yards with 18,355 and is the only player in NFL history to rush for over 18,000 yards. He has scored 1000 points in his NFL career. He has three Super Bowl rings. Now Emmitt Smith can claim one more trophy: Dancing With the Stars 2006 Champion. Smith was named the winner last Wednesday night, and he was happy about it.

"It is awesome! It is awesome!" Smith said, after hugging his professional dance partner, Cheryl Burke. "We came a long way, we really have."

What an accomplishment (?).