Boise, Idaho – A Boise State University running back who scored the winning points in the Fiesta Bowl, then proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend on national television, has hired security for his weekend wedding because of racial threats, the Idaho Statesman reported Tuesday.
Ian Johnson, who is black, and his fiancée, Chrissy Popadics, who is white, are due to be married Saturday in Boise. Johnson, who scored the winning two-point conversion as underdog Boise State beat the Oklahoma Sooners 43-42 in overtime Jan. 1, proposed to Popadics – at the time a Broncos cheerleader – on the field after time expired in the game in Glendale, Ariz.
Since then, Johnson said he has received phone calls, 30 letters and, in some instances, personal threats from people who objected to his plans to marry Popadics.
“You take it for what it is – the less educated, the less willing to change,” Johnson said.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Weis loses stomach-surgery lawsuit
A Boston jury ruled against Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis in his malpractice lawsuit against two doctors he claimed botched his care after he had gastric bypass surgery five years ago.
The jury deliberated for less than half a day before finding Massachusetts General Hospital surgeons Charles Ferguson and Richard Hodin were not negligent.
Weis, 51, accused the surgeons of negligence, saying they allowed him to bleed internally for 30 hours before performing a second surgery to correct the complication. Weis nearly died after the 2002 surgery.
LSU running back Alley Broussard announced he is leaving the team to pursue his degree. He finished his career with 1,537 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns.
NBA
Williams agrees to stay with Bucks
Mo Williams chose Brew City over Pat Riley and South Beach, signing a six-year, $51.5 million contract to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The thought of it kind of warms your heart up, knowing that you’re at a place that loves you on and off the court,” Williams said.
Williams’ heartwarming experience came at the expense of the Miami Heat, which put on a full-court press to woo Williams by flying him to Miami this month to have dinner with Riley. Williams, 24, averaged career highs in points (17.3), rebounds (4.8) and assists (6.1) last season.
SOCCER
Adu’s future in MLS is stable for now
Freddy Adu of Real Salt Lake will be playing in Major League Soccer for at least a little while longer. The league and Benfica reached an agreement on a $2 million transfer fee for the 18-year-old American, but Adu and the Portuguese club could not work out contract terms. FIFA’s transfer deadline is Aug. 31, meaning a deal still could be resurrected.
David Beckham’s brief appearance in his first game with the Los Angeles Galaxy was enough to draw a record ESPN audience for a game involving an MLS team. Saturday night’s exhibition match between the Galaxy and Chelsea on ESPN earned a 1.0 rating and was watched by about 1,468,000 people. MLS’s debut game between D.C. United and the San Jose Clash in 1996 also drew a 1.0 rating. It was watched by about 1,092,000 people.
Eddie Johnson, the leading scorer in MLS with 12 goals, has turned down a transfer from the Kansas City Wizards to Derby of England’s Premier League.
FOOTNOTES
Emery, Senators agree to contract
The Ottawa Senators avoided salary arbitration with goalie Ray Emery and defenseman Christoph Schubert, and the team hopes to do the same with center Chris Kelly. Emery re-signed for a $9.5 million, three-year contract and Schubert agreed to a $2.65 million, three-year deal. Kelly’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1.
Bill Flemming, a longtime ABC Sports broadcaster who covered events such as the Olympics, college football and cliff diving, died of prostate cancer Friday in Petoskey, Mich. He was 80.
Lauren Jackson tied the WNBA record with 47 points, but it wasn’t enough for the visiting Seattle Storm to avoid a 97-96 overtime loss to the Washington Mystics.
Deanna Nolan scored 19 of her career- and franchise-best 36 points in the second half and the Detroit Shock defeated the host Connecticut Sun 92-88.
Sophia Young scored 24 points, including four in overtime, and Becky Hammon added 17 to lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to a 71-63 road win over the Indiana Fever.
