The debate over same-sex marriage has collided with the world of professional football in a loud and public way. Let's roll back. It started with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who's a vocal supporter of legalizing same-sex marriage, an issue on the Maryland ballot this November.
The LSU Athletics Department has agreed to give $36 million over five years to the flagship campus, to help bolster academic programs that have been hit with continued budget cuts.
The university's governing board, the Board of Supervisors, approved the unique, profit-sharing arrangement Friday.
Athletics Director Joe Alleva says he knows of no similar arrangement at other colleges around the country.
Originally published on Mon September 10, 2012 5:45 am
The U.S. Open tennis championship is scheduled to conclude Monday with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic playing for the men's singles championship. For more, Steve Inskeep talks to Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated.
A marathon around the city of London wraps up the 2012 Paralympics Games today. They're the biggest, best-attended games in the history of the event, which began as an exhibition of World War II veterans, also in London, at the 1948 Olympics. Veterans from recent wars are returning to the competition now to find a very competitive tournament, and one in which the United States seems to be playing catch-up.
NPR's Quil Lawrence has attended the games. He joins us now from outside London. Quil, welcome.
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer. And it is time for sports.
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WINONA CARR: (Singing) Life is a ballgame, being played each day...
WERTHEIMER: It is the first Sunday of the NFL season. NPR's Mike Pesca is back with us this week for a look at today's action on the gridiron. Mike, welcome.
Detroit Lions place-kicker Jason Hanson attempts a field goal in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. Hanson, 42, has played 21 consecutive seasons for the Lions.
Credit Associated Press
Hanson says his position as kicker is one of the most stressful in the NFL. "There's no forgiveness if you miss," he says.
As the NFL's regular season gets under way this weekend, one player is adding another year to an already record-setting career. At 42, Detroit Lions place kicker Jason Hanson is the oldest active player in the NFL.
And despite playing a notoriously tenuous position, Hanson has also been with one team longer than anyone in the history of the league — no small feat in an industry where players often switch teams in search of a bigger paycheck or where a missed kick can cost you your career.
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. Time for sports.
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SIMON: (Singing) Ah, to remember the kind of September.... The seasons are flipping, and so Serena's poised to win again, not just today. NFL season opens in earnest, and the real Olympic spirit still lives on in London. NPR's Tom Goldman joins us.
Morning, Tom.
TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE: Seasons are flipping, I fear you are too.
