Vikings VP helps in fighting cancer
A Minnesota Vikings vice president and his wife have donated $1 million to children's cancer care.
Kevin Warren, who handles legal affairs for the team, and wife Greta, have donated the money to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital to establish ''Carolyn's Comforts.'' A children's cancer emergency assistance fund designed to help families manage the difficulties that come with the diagnosis of cancer will be established.
The fund honors Warren's late sister, Carolyn Elaine Warren-Knox, who died of brain cancer on Oct. 2. During his sister's long battle, Warren saw the challenges facing many cancer patients and their families throughout the care process.
''A diagnosis of cancer is extremely difficult to accept and work through, especially when it involves children,'' Warren said. ''Families should be able to focus entirely on the health and well-being of their child, and ideally not be burdened with the additional stress of financial issues. My sister often talked of the struggles facing cancer patients, especially children and their families, and how she wished she could help. As a family we hope this fund can make a positive impact.''
The fund will provide emergency financial assistance to pediatric families for patients with cancer and other related life-threating disease.
''With their incredible gift, our patients and families who may be facing financial challenges along with health challenges can focus on their care and healing,'' physician-in-chief Dr. Joseph Neglia of the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital said of the Warrens.
POTTY MOUTH: Rex Ryan would like to watch a football game without so much naughty language.
Hear that, Tom Brady?
Ryan, the New York Jets coach, feigned disbelief Wednesday while talking about how he checked out a few TV copies of the New England Patriots' recent games in preparation for their meeting Sunday at MetLife Stadium. There was a frustrated Brady on the screen blurting profanities during the Patriots' game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 30.
''To be honest with you, I couldn't watch all of the game,'' said Ryan, trying to keep a straight face. ''I was offended by the language I saw.''
The TV broadcast caught Brady on the sideline, standing by himself, cursing repeatedly. Some viewers even contacted the Federal Communications Commission because of the not-so-family-friendly outburst.
''I was like, `Wow,''' Ryan said sarcastically. ''I'm thinking, `Boy, that fine has to be really hefty because that's one, two, three, four, five of those bad boys, I think. So, I'm not sure what that is, but I couldn't even get through the game.''
Ryan knows bad language when he sees it, of course. He has been twice fined for cursing at fans, and was docked $100,000 by the NFL earlier this season after he shouted an expletive while walking off the field after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ryan also said his fair share of expletives during the Jets' appearance on HBO's ''Hard Knocks'' in 2010.
But as far as anyone knows, Brady hasn't been fined for his foul mouth.
''Well, quite honestly, we don't know,'' Ryan said. ''He might very well have had to cut a check or two. We're not sure. Hey, we all know I shouldn't have done it. I recognize that.''
SEATTLE HANGOVER: There is quite the hangover the Seattle Seahawks are leaving with their opponents. Not only are the Seahawks on a roll, having won seven of their last eight games, but the teams they have played during that stretch are not recovering well.
Starting with St. Louis, the past eight Seattle opponents have all lost the following week. That might just be a coincidence, but after reaching eight straight, that starts to become a trend.
''I think we're a physical team and have a lot of physical people on the defense and physical on the offense,'' Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said.
There have been some good teams that Seahawks opponents have been asked to play a week later, too. Oakland was routed by Denver a week after getting beaten in Seattle. After beating the Seahawks at home, St. Louis had to go to Kansas City and lost 34-7.
Philadelphia was stymied by the Seahawks, then lost control of the NFC East race by losing to Dallas.
There were also games in which it appeared playing Seattle had a lasting effect. Carolina lost at home to New Orleans. Arizona was beaten at Atlanta. And both Kansas City and San Francisco lost to lowly Oakland.
BAD COMMUNICATING: Roger Goodell has made a Top Ten list he could do without.
Decker Communications' 19th annual list of Top Ten Best and Worst Communicators of 2014 has such sports notables as Derek Jeter and Adam Silver on the best side. On the worst: Donald Sterling, Stephen A. Smith and Goodell.
Why the NFL commissioner, who also was on the list in 2011 - the year the league locked out the players?
Decker Communications found Goodell ''meek and ineffective, appears dismissive, disconnected and insincere rather than action-oriented or timely.''
''As the face of the NFL, just as with any executive or leader at any company, every touch point matters. This year, Goodell blew it again,'' said Ben Decker, CEO of Decker Communications, a leading business communications training and consulting firm.
''In contrast, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver communicates with a strong point of view and bridges the needs of the owners with the desires of his fans.''
The full list is available at www.decker.com
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AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner and Sports Writers Tim Booth and Dennis Waszak Jr., contributed to this notebook.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
