In Minneapolis, Michael Russo reported the parents of late Rangers LW DEREK BOOGAARD on Saturday "signed paperwork to have their oldest son's brain donated to science." The decision came one day after news that Boogaard, a "beloved former Wild enforcer," had died in his Minneapolis apartment. His brain will be donated to Boston Univ.'s Sports Legacy Institute, which is seeking to "advance the study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes." Boogaard "suffered multiple concussions in his career, although the decision by the Boogaards should not lead to a presumption that their son died of complications from brain trauma" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 5/15). Fans "flocked to Xcel Energy Center on Sunday night to pay their respects to Boogaard's devastated family." Boogaard will be cremated today (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/16). More than 300 Wild fans attended the memorial, as did "many in the Wild's front office and scouting staff." The video boards outside of the arena "had scrolling pictures of Boogaard, inside there was video of Boogaard on a reel" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/16).
DEALING WITH HIS DIAGNOSIS: Golf announcer DAVID FEHERTY revealed he has been “diagnosed as bipolar.” In Dallas, Barry Horn noted Feherty has “battled myriad addictions for years, always on the lookout for what may have triggered them,” and the recent bipolar diagnosis “may be another clue.” He maintains that “he is sober these days and battling hard not to fall off the wagon as he has done too many times in the past.” In his “desperate attempt to keep busy, he is consumed now by long predawn bicycle rides.” Feherty also has gotten involved with “Troops First Foundation,” which “among other good deeds works with wounded soldiers who come home without limbs or have been severely disfigured” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/15).
MUSIC TO HIS EARS: Sources indicated that Knicks F AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE is “hoping to add the music business to his mogul portfolio.” Stoudemire already has “established himself in fashion by launching a line” with designer RACHEL ROY that will debut in September. Now the Knicks star “hopes to parlay his friendships with some of hip hop’s most successful performers and producers into a recording career.” The source said producers “will be giving him the beats” and Stoudemire “will be rapping on the tracks” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/16).
CHARITY STRIPE: NASCAR has partnered with the Armed Forces Foundation to start the “TROOPS TO THE TRACK” program “to recognize and host members of the Armed Forces at NASCAR races.” The program provides more than 100 “wounded service members, or service members in jobs particularly emotional and physically demanding, an opportunity to enjoy a VIP-style NASCAR race day experience” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/15)….Falcons draftee JULIO JONES volunteered in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Thursday, handing out T-shirts and trying to “lift the spirits of downtrodden tornado victims.” Jones played college football at the Univ. of Alabama (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/14).
NAMES: The Packers’ sixth annual Tailgate Tour “wrapped up Saturday with a final stop at Green Bay East High School.” The tour included “stops in 12 cities, more than 700 miles and plenty of interaction” between fans, Packers President & CEO MARK MURPHY and current and former players (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 5/15)....Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT and his family hosted a house party for the Boys & Girls Club over the weekend that raised $2.7M (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/16)....Online gambling company PokerStars on Friday said that it "has returned more than $100 million to U.S. gamblers since it reached an agreement with government prosecutors last month that allowed Americans to cash out their accounts" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/14).
