Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

Archives for July 2009

Norman, Watson Headline Field At U.S. Senior Open This Weekend On NBC Sports

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NEW YORK- July 29, 2009 – Greg Norman and Tom Watson take on some of golf’s most storied names as NBC Sports continues its coverage of the United States Golf Association Championships with live, high-definition coverage of the 2009 U.S. Senior Open Saturday and Sunday, 3-6 p.m. ET from Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.

NBC’s Saturday coverage is preceded by a one-hour special with highlights from the recent Boys and Girls U.S. Junior Amateur Championships, 2-3 p.m. ET.

Norman and Watson, who captured headlines with a miraculous second place finish at the British Open, are challenged by defending champion Eduardo Romero, recent Senior British Open winner Loren Roberts and two-time U.S. Senior Open champion Hale Irwin. Watson has three runner-up finishes at the championship.

Mark Rolfing will host NBC’s coverage, joined by Gary Koch, Bob Murphy, Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper.

Crooked Stick Golf Club is set up at 7,244/7,316 yards, the longest course in U.S. Senior Open history. Crooked Stick is considered the first noteworthy course designed by legendary architect Pete Dye.

BOYS & GIRLS U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY, 2-3 PM ET: Who will be the next Tiger Woods or Nancy Lopez? The answer may come from the recent Boys and Girls U.S. Junior Amateur Championships played at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. NBC Sports broadcasts a one-hour special with highlights from the event Saturday, 2-3 p.m. ET.

The Boys Championship was won by 15-year-old Jordan Spieth of Dallas and the Girls event by Amy Anderson of North Dakota. Past winners include Woods, David Duval, NBC’s Gary Koch, Lopez and Mickey Wright.

Jimmy Roberts and Dottie Pepper were on hand from Trump National.

AFLAC IRON GIRL TRIATHLON, SUNDAY 2 PM ET: NBC Sports presents taped coverage of the Aflac Iron Girl Triathlon from Lake Lanier Islands Resort outside of Atlanta, Ga., Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The race is the fourth event in the Aflac Iron Girl series, which aims to promote health and wellness among women. The series also raises awareness of childhood cancer research and treatment.

The event featured a one-third-mile swim in Lake Sidney Lanier, an 18-mile bike ride through the hills of Buford, Ga., and a three-mile run through the Lake Lanier Islands Resort. More than 1,200 women competed.

Commentary is provided by Andrea Joyce.

NFL.com’s “On the Fringe” Profiles the Journey of Five Players Fighting for an NFL Roster Spot

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NFL.COM’S ON THE FRINGE

PROFILES THE JOURNEY OF FIVE PLAYERS FIGHTING FOR AN NFL ROSTER SPOT

Training Camp Series Features Super Bowl XLII hero David Tyree, Vikings’ Ian Johnson, Falcons’ Coy Wire, Texans’ Boomer Grigsby and Cardinals’ Lance Long

The most interesting stories during training camp don’t always surround the stars; sometimes the best stories are about players trying to follow their dreams to make an NFL team. Starting this week and throughout training camp NFL.com will follow five such players battling to make their team’s roster.

Log on to NFL.com beginning this week for stories, features, interviews and videos as the On the Fringe series follows these players:

Monday, July 27 – RB Ian Johnson, Minnesota Vikings: The undrafted rookie hopes to earn a spot behind Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

Tuesday, July 28 – LB Coy Wire, Atlanta Falcons: He fought back from a near career-ending injury to captain the Falcons’ special teams but must continue to fight off younger players to retain his roster spot.

Wednesday, July 29 – WR David Tyree, New York Giants: Best known for his helmet catch during Super Bowl XLII, Tyree must re-earn his spot after missing the 2008 season due to injury.

Thursday, July 30 – FB Boomer Grigsby, Houston Texans: Cut by the Miami Dolphins after Week 1 last season, Grigsby thought his NFL career was over until the Houston Texans called during the spring.

Friday, July 31 – WR Lance Long, Arizona Cardinals: After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, Long hopes to make the jump to the Cardinals’ active roster in 2009.

Visit http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story?id=09000d5d8116ffad&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true to follow the five hopefuls throughout the 2009 preseason.

Free NFL Sunday Ticket and Netbook from Verizon and DirecTV

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Verizon and DIRECTV Team Up to Offer
Money-Saving Bundles
Customers Who Order Select Verizon Bundles With DIRECTV® Service Will Score a Great Deal For This Football Season; Compaq Mini Netbook/Flip Ultra Camcorder and Compelling Sports Programming Offers Combine to Run Up the Score on Cable Bundles
NEW YORK – Qualifying customers who are football fans can now sign up for a Verizon broadband bundle with DIRECTVÒ service that beats the best of cable’s current offers.
Effective immediately, new Verizon and DIRECTV customers who sign up for a Verizon bundle of up-to-3 megabits-per-second High Speed Internet service*, Freedom Essentials unlimited local and long-distance calling plan, free SHOWTIME® (valued at $158.88) and DIRECTV’s PLUS HD DVR™ for $119.99 per month (after rebate) for one year will also get 2009 NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ only on DIRECTV (valued at $299.95). New Verizon and DIRECTV customers who sign up for the same package with DIRECTV’s PLUS DVR™ in standard definition for $109.99 per month (after rebate) for one year will also get 2009 NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ only on DIRECTV.
Additionally, customers who sign up for either bundle will receive a Compaq Mini netbook (valued at $299.99) or a Flip Ultra™ camcorder (valued at $149.99) through a promotion announced June 22 by Verizon.  Customers must sign up by Aug. 15 and install service by Sept.  Those selecting the Mini netbook only need to pay shipping, handling and taxes.
“Verizon’s best High Speed Internet bundles just got even better,” said Susan Retta, Verizon vice president of consumer product management.  “New Verizon customers can bundle our High Speed Internet service and unlimited local and long-distance phone service delivered on our 99.9 percent reliable network with DIRECTV service.  Add on top of all that the choice of a Compaq Mini netbook or Flip Ultra camcorder and the value of this offer is unmatched by current cable offers.”
DIRECTV’s NFL SUNDAY TICKET provides access to the largest selection of NFL football games and offers fans up to 14 NFL games every Sunday – more than 200 games in the season – so they can follow their favorite team no matter where they live.
A one-year Verizon commitment and a two-year DIRECTV commitment with hardware lease are required with these bundles.
By purchasing either Verizon bundle, customers can save more than $600 during one year over the price of the services if sold separately
Other terms, conditions and restrictions apply to this offer.  Consumers can obtain more information about Verizon’s High Speed Internet bundles and DIRECTV service by visiting www.verizon.com/bundles or by calling 1-800-483-4000.
* Internet speeds refer to the connection speed between the user’s location and Verizon’s central office.  Actual surfing speeds will vary based on many factors and be lower than connection speed.

Filed Under: NFL

SIRIUS NFL Radio Training Camp Tour Kicks Off July 29

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SIRIUS NFL RADIO TRAINING CAMP TOUR KICKS OFF JULY 29

Annual radio series will feature live on-site broadcasts from all 32 NFL team training camps

Plus live coverage of 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement

NEW YORK – July 28, 2009 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, will kick off the fifth annual SIRIUS NFL Radio Training Camp Tour on Wednesday, July 29, featuring extensive coverage of all 32 NFL team camps plus the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

All programming is available to both SIRIUS and XM subscribers nationwide exclusively on SIRIUS NFL Radio, SIRIUS XM’s 24-hour NFL channel (SIRIUS channel 124 and XM channel 124 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package).

Over 22 days – July 29 to Aug. 19 – SIRIUS NFL Radio hosts will broadcast live on location from all 32 NFL training camp sites around the country, giving listeners access to their favorite teams and players as they prepare for the coming season.  Each show will present an expert breakdown of every team, one-on-one interviews with players, coaches and franchise executives, and candid reports on rookies, veterans and free agents.

A full schedule detailing show times, hosts and locations appears below.

SIRIUS NFL Radio personalities on the tour include former players, coaches, front office executives and other insiders including: longtime Dallas Cowboys pro personnel executive Gil Brandt, former NFL defensive lineman Tim Ryan, former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan, former NFL QB Jim Miller, former NFL defensive back Solomon Wilcots, former NFL lineman Ross Tucker, former NFL coach Dean Dalton, plus NFL experts Peter King, Adam Schein, Vic Carucci and Howard Balzer.

On Saturday, August 8, SIRIUS XM will present a full day of live coverage from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH for the 2009 enshrinement ceremonies.  Listeners will hear live coverage as the class of 2009 is inducted – which includes wide receiver Bob Hayes, guard Randall McDaniel, defensive end Bruce Smith, linebacker Derrick Thomas, owner Ralph Wilson and defensive back Rod Woodson.

A detailed tour map featuring camp locations, dates, times and featured hosts can be found at www.sirius.com/nfl.  Fans can also interact with SIRIUS NFL Radio hosts and other listeners on SIRIUS NFL Radio’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/siriusnflradio) or by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/siriusnflradio.

As the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, SIRIUS XM broadcasts every NFL game live nationwide, from the preseason through the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.  Listeners can hear home and visiting team broadcasts, national radio broadcasts and Spanish-language broadcasts for select games.

2009 SIRIUS NFL Radio Training Camp Tour Schedule: (All times ET)

Wed, July 29:        Buffalo Bills, Pittsford, NY

8-11am The Opening Drive with Ross Tucker and Peter King

Sat, Aug. 1:           Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio, TX

11am-2pm Press Coverage with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

New England Patriots, Foxborough, MA

2-6pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Sun, Aug. 2:          Houston Texans, Houston, TX

12-4pm The End Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

Chicago Bears, Bourbonnais, IL

4-8pm NFL Rewind with Jim Miller and Dean Dalton

Mon, Aug. 3:         St. Louis Rams, Earth City, MO

10am-1pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Howard Balzer and Jim Miller

Minnesota Vikings, Mankato, MN

1-4pm The Red Zone with Dean Dalton and Paul Allen

New York Giants, Albany, NY

4-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Tue, Aug. 4:          Indianapolis Colts, Terre Haute, IN

12-3pm The Red Zone with Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller

New York Jets, Cortland, NY

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Wed, Aug. 5:         Cincinnati Bengals, Georgetown, KY

1-3pm The Red Zone with Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller

Cleveland Browns, Berea, OH

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Thu, Aug. 6:          Tennessee Titans, Nashville, TN

12-3pm The Red Zone with Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers, Latrobe, PA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Fri, Aug. 7:             New Orleans Saints, Metairie, LA

3-7pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots

Pittsburgh Steelers, Latrobe, PA

7-10pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Sat, Aug. 8:           Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, OH

Live coverage from Canton begins at 8am

Sun, Aug. 9:          Philadelphia Eagles, Bethlehem, PA

12-4pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Ross Tucker

Mon, Aug. 10:       Washington Redskins, Ashburn, VA

10am-1pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots

Carolina Panthers, Spartanburg, SC

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

San Francisco 49ers, Santa Clara, CA

8-11pm Late Hits with Randy Cross and Gil Brandt

Tue, Aug. 11:        Baltimore Ravens, Westminster, MD

10am-1pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots

Denver Broncos, Englewood, CO

1-3pm The Red Zone with Ross Tucker and Jim Miller

Atlanta Falcons, Flowery Branch, GA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan, Pat Kirwan and Randy Cross

Wed, Aug. 12:       Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville, FL

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Seattle Seahawks, Renton, WA

8-11pm Late Hits with Ross Tucker and Jim Miller

Thu, Aug. 13         Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa, FL

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Fri, Aug. 14:          Miami Dolphins, Davie, FL

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Mon, Aug. 17:       Kansas City Chiefs, River Falls, WI

1-3pm The Red Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

San Diego Chargers, San Diego, CA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller

Tue, Aug. 18:        Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, WI

12-3pm The Red Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

Arizona Cardinals, Flagstaff, AZ

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller

Wed, Aug. 19:       Detroit Lions, Allen Park, MI

1-3pm The Red Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

Oakland Raiders, Napa Valley, CA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

** Schedule subject to change. **

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2009 MLS All-Star Game Wednesday on ESPN2

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2009 MLS All-Star Game Wednesday on ESPN2

Landon Donovan and MLS’s Best vs. English Premier League’s Everton FC

First MLS All-Star Event at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah

ESPN2 will present live coverage of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game Wednesday, July 29, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET from Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The special presentation of MLS Game of the Week series will feature the MLS All-Stars versus Everton FC of the English Premier League. The match will be aired in high definition and will be available on ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile.

Seattle Sounders’ Freddie Ljungberg, making his MLS All-Star debut, will join Chicago Fire midfielder and former Mexican National Team star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Los Angeles Galaxy captain Landon Donovan, as the roster of 18 top-tier MLS players faces 2009 FA Cup finalists Everton FC, which features U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard. Other international stars on Everton’s roster include Tim Cahill (Australia), Louis Saha (France), Marouane Fellaini (Belgium) and Steven Pienaar (South Africa).

JP Dellacamera and John Harkes, ESPN and ABC’s lead soccer play-by-play and analyst team for the U.S. National Team and MLS, will call the action, with sideline reporter Allen Hopkins. Rob Stone, Alexi Lalas and Julie Foudy will host the studio coverage including pre-game, halftime and post-game segments live from Rio Tinto Stadium. Coverage will also include live, in-game interviews with select coaches and/or players.

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MLB Network To Air 15 Hours Of Live Trade Deadline Coverage Friday, July 31

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MLB NETWORK TO AIR 15 HOURS OF LIVE TRADE DEADLINE COVERAGE FRIDAY, JULY 31

Coverage to include historical features narrated by MLB Network’s Bob Costas

July 28, 2009 – MLB Network today announced its coverage plans for the Major League trade deadline on Friday, July 31 with MLB Tonight: Trade Deadline Special. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET on Friday, MLB Network will go live from Studio 3 in its Secaucus, New Jersey headquarters and remain on-air until MLB Tonight is off the air, totaling approximately 15 hours of live coverage.

MLB Network hosts Greg Amsinger, Victor Rojas and Matt Vasgersian will alternate hosting duties with analysis from MLB Network’s John Hart, Jon Heyman, Joe Magrane, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci and Mitch Williams. MLB Scouting Bureau Director Frank Marcos and MLB.com senior writer Jonathan Mayo will also join to discuss projected club line-ups and starting rotations, free agents in 2009 and 2010, and what Minor Leaguers may soon become household names. MLB Network reporter Hazel Mae, who is traveling with the Toronto Blue Jays tracking updates on pitcher Roy Halladay through Friday, and MLB Network Baseball Insider Ken Rosenthal will check in throughout the day offering updates and predictions.

MLB Network’s Bob Costas will narrate six editions of “MLB Network Remembers,” looking back at significant trades in Major League Baseball history, including Hall of Famer Lou Brock’s trade to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. Other editions highlight David Cone’s trade to the New York Yankees, Mark McGwire’s trade to the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Boston Red Sox trading for Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek in 1997.

“The Major League trade deadline generates tremendous interest from baseball fans and we knew it would be important to provide expanded coverage on Friday and throughout this week,” said Tony Petitti, President and CEO of MLB Network. “We’re looking forward to using all of our resources to give fans the latest updates on each club’s trade activity and predict how these trades can affect the second half of the season.”

Friday’s coverage will also include live streaming on MLB.com from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET, use of MLB Network Ballpark Cameras at U.S. Cellular Field, PETCO Park and Busch Stadium for interviews with club managers and players, and graphics with a trade-specific ticker highlighting information about clubs’ trade deadline history.

About MLB Network

MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in approximately 53 million cable and satellite homes. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to mlbnetwork.com.

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NASCAR.com Announces Online Fan Voting for Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame

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NASCAR.com Announces Online Fan Voting for Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame

Fan vote marks the first time a major sport has allowed fans have taken part in Hall of Fame voting process

NASCAR.com announced today that fans will be able to take part in the voting process for the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame.  This is the first time a major sport has allowed fans to be part of a Hall of Fame election process.  Beginning today, July 28th, fans can log-on to http://www.nascar.com/hall to cast their vote for up to five legends for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.  NASCAR fans collectively will represent one of the 51 ballots on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Committee.  In an effort to educate fans on the accomplishments of the 25 nominees, videos, photos and bios are available on the site.  Fans must register to vote and can only fill out a Hall of Fame ballot one time.

About NASCAR.COM

Turner Sports acquired all of NASCAR’s interactive rights in October 2000 and became the exclusive producer of NASCAR.COM in January 2001. NASCAR.COM is one of the fastest growing sports league sites on the Web, consistently ranking among the top three sport sites on the Internet. In 2003, NASCAR.COM was awarded an Emmy® by the National Television Academy for its TrackPass with PitCommand application and was nominated for an Emmy® in 2007 for TrackPass RaceView.

MLB Network Announces Schedule Of Live Games Through August 8

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MLB NETWORK ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE OF LIVE GAMES THROUGH AUGUST 8

Games to air on “Thursday Night Baseball” and “Saturday Night Baseball” as

American League and National League Postseason Races Heat Up

Secaucus, N.J., July 27, 2009 – MLB Network today announced its schedule of live Thursday and Saturday night games from July 30 through August 8, 2009, featuring seven MLB clubs in four live regular season games.

This week’s Thursday night game will air on July 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET, with the New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox and MLB Network’s Bob Costas and Jim Kaat calling the game. The following week will showcase an A.L. East showdown with the Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees on August 6. As N.L. Division Series and Wild Card races intensify, MLB Network will also feature postseason hopefuls Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, starting with the Astros at Cardinals on Saturday, August 1.

Saturday Night Baseball will be simulcasts of local broadcasts, including local announcers. On Saturdays, MLB Tonight will provide in-game updates on developments throughout MLB as well as news, analysis and highlights following the game telecast.

MLB Network’s complete live game broadcast schedule from July 30 through August 8 appears below.

MLB NETWORK LIVE GAME SCHEDULE THROUGH AUGUST 8, 2009 (all times Eastern):

July 30 – 8:00 p.m. Yankees @ White Sox – Bob Costas & Jim Kaat

August 1 – 7:00 p.m. Astros @ Cardinals

August 6 – 7:00 p.m. Red Sox @ Yankees – Bob Costas & Jim Kaat

August 8 – 8:00 p.m. Cubs @ Rockies

Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming. MLB Network will continue to announce future Thursday Night Baseball and Saturday night games coinciding with its selection windows.

MLB Tonight, the signature program of MLB Network during the regular season, airs live beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET until the final MLB game of the night ends each Monday through Friday, featuring live look-ins of games in progress, updates, highlights, reporting and analysis. On Saturday nights, the show provides in-game updates and then airs after the game’s conclusion, while on Thursday nights, the show leads in to Thursday Night Baseball, providing viewers with highlights and analysis after the game as well as live studio updates during the game broadcast.

MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in approximately 53 million cable and satellite homes. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to mlbnetwork.com.

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Exclusive: Lance Armstrong to CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta: “I wanted to come in first.but sometimes in sports, there is somebody that’s better.”

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In an interview that aired on today’s American Morning, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke exclusively with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, just after he took third place at the Tour de France this weekend.  Armstrong spoke candidly about the challenges he faced after a four year break, drug tests, his critics and why he has committed to race in 2010.

Highlighted Excerpt:

Gupta: Coming in first – is that something you thought about? Did you care? You’re right it’s not about the bike but do you care if you if you come in first or not?

Armstrong:  I wanted to come in first…but sometimes in sports, there is somebody that’s better. And I was that guy for 7 years. And I never understood what it felt like to come in second or third. I’m 38 now, and you race guys who are 24, 25, or 26 and they’re fast, and strong. They have acceleration; they have all the things you had when you were that age. Then you get third. But that’s the great thing about the tour. The best man always wins.

Full transcript:

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Today has been a remarkable 22 days for Lance Armstrong right here in France. Tour de France started in Monaco, ended right here in Paris. Fans, cancer survivors from all over the world really cheering on the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Now I set on the board of Lance Armstrong, and I can tell you, after a four-year hiatus it was a big decision for him. I caught up with him just a few hours after he took third place at the Tour de France to talk about some of the challenges, to talk about some of the criticisms that have been waged against him, and how he responds to those and to simply ask him why he decided to get involved in all of this again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (on camera): Coming in first, is that something you thought about? I mean, did you care? You write it’s not about the bike. But do you care if you come in first or not?

LANCE ARMSTRONG, THIRD PLACE AT TOUR DE FRANCE: Well, I wanted to come in first. But sometimes in sports there’s somebody that’s better.

And I was that guy for seven years. And I never understood what it felt like to get second or third. I’m 38 now. And you race guys that are 24 or 25 or 26, and they’re fast, they’re strong. They have acceleration.

They have all of the things that you had at that age. And you get third. That’s what the great thing about the Tour is that the best man always wins.

GUPTA: How was this race different for you in terms of how you trained, what you ate? Were there differences compared to five years ago?

ARMSTRONG: Well, I used a lot of the same training, the same idea with diet. I mean, the only difference, I guess, is that I’m now 38 years old. So a 38-year-old man does not wake up every day like a 28-year-old. But I can’t even complain. I mean, I think I rode well.

GUPTA: Why come back after four years? What inspired this?

ARMSTRONG: Obviously, I have to have a love for the bike. I have to have a love for the Tour. Otherwise, this is too hard. It’s just way too damn hard to go out and do this. But my passion for fighting cancer and fighting it not just in Texas or the United States but around the world.

GUPTA: When you look at you the man, Lance, and the issue of cancer, do you think that people separate that? I mean, do they understand why you’re riding and why you came back?

ARMSTRONG: Yes, I think so. You know, these days it’s easy to get feedback. When people have a comment or have an issue, they let you know. And most of them are regarding cancer. So that tells me that the people understand. They’ve been affected either themselves or a loved one and they understand it. And then they say keep going. You know, pedal hard for them tomorrow. Pedal hard for my mom or my neighbor or my co-worker.

GUPTA: One of the things you mention — you talked a lot about during the whole tour was surprise test for doping. They just come and surprise you.

ARMSTRONG: They’re not surprises any more.

GUPTA: Not surprising — 40, I think over 40 tests.

ARMSTRONG: They’re 50 — they’re 50 now.

GUPTA: What do you say to the critics? What do you say to the skeptics now at the end of the tour?

ARMSTRONG: Look, I’ve done this a long time. And I’ve been at the highest level now since 1992 until 2009. I’ve been tested more than anybody else. If I can take four years off and come back at the age of 38 with more controls than anybody else on planet Earth and get third in the hardest sporting event in the world, I think we’ve answered the questions.

Mort Goes to Camp: July 31- Aug. 23, Live Reports from 20 NFL Training Camps in 24 Days

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Mort Goes to Camp: July 31- Aug. 23
Live Reports from 20 NFL Training Camps in 24 Days
Senior NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen to Take Three-Week Road Trip

Senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen will take a three-week road trip to cover 20 NFL team training camps in 24 days, July 31 – Aug. 23. Mortensen will travel by bus across the country and provide news and information updates from around the league daily on SportsCenter, NFL Live and other ESPN platforms.

“This trip will give me the chance to see the country and many of the teams in the league up close, said Mortensen. “I look forward to visiting with coaches, players and the front-office staff of the teams, and interacting with many passionate football fans as they get ready for the new season.”

“Mort Goes to Camp” coverage will include daily appearances on SportsCenter and NFL Live, as well as Monday Night Countdown (before ESPN’s Monday Night Football preseason games on Aug. 13 and 17); reports on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (simulcast on ESPN2); blog items, video, interactive maps and daily post cards on ESPN.com; and regular updates on Twitter (@mortreport).

Mortensen’s tour will span some 6,400 miles, beginning with a visit to the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 31. The tour will conclude Aug. 23 in Miami, which will host Super Bowl XLIV in February.

“Mort Goes to Camp” Schedule:
7/31    Dallas/Arlington, TX
8/1     Dallas Cowboys (San Antonio, TX)
8/2     New Orleans Saints (Metairie, LA)
8/3     Travel to Minnesota via Hattiesburg, MS
8/4     Minnesota Vikings (Mankato, MN)
8/5     Green Bay Packers (Green Bay, WI)
8/6     Chicago Bears (Bourbonnais, IL)
8/7     Indianapolis Colts (Terre Haute, IN)
8/8     Detroit Lions (Allen Park, MI)
8/9     Cleveland Browns (Berea, Ohio)
8/10    Pittsburgh Steelers (Latrobe, PA)
8/11    Philadelphia Eagles (Bethlehem, PA)
8/12    N.Y. Jets (Hempstead, NY)
8/13    ESPN (Bristol, CT)
8/14    N.Y. Giants (Albany, NY)
8/15    New England Patriots (Foxboro, MA)
8/16    Baltimore Ravens (Westminster, MD)
8/17    Washington Redskins (Ashburn, VA)
8/18    Tennessee Titans (Nashville, TN)
8/19    Atlanta Falcons (Flowery Branch, GA)
8/20    Jacksonville Jaguars (Jacksonville, FL)
8/21    Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Tampa, FL)
8/22    Miami Dolphins (Davie FL)
8/23    Miami, FL

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