In Baltimore, Jill Rosen reported Ravens RB Ray Rice “continues to stand up against bullying by designing a T-shirt that will help raise money to fight the problem.” He is partnering with the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center and apparel company CustomInk "to design a shirt with the message: "You can be a hero to someone just by being a friend -- Ray Rice." Adult versions of the shirt “cost $26 and all of the proceeds will go to PACER” (BALTIMORESUN.com, 9/11). Meanwhile, also in Baltimore, Richard Gorelick noted Ravens LB Ray Lewis is featured on a new “insulated coffee mug from Dunkin’ Donuts." The mugs were made available Monday at participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the Baltimore area and cost “$7.99 with the purchase of a coffee.” Fifty cents from each one sold will “go to the Ray Lewis Family Foundation, which supports a number of child-focused programs, including the Kids of Character program” (BALTIMORESUN.com, 9/10).
CHANGING SHOES: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman cited SneakerWatch.com as saying it "has received confirmation that [Heat G] Dwyane Wade will no longer be repping Jordan Brand.” Wade on Friday said, “We're still negotiating, until you get to the point where you decide which way to go. There's many shoe companies that obviously know that I'm up this summer. But I still have the respect for and the obligation and the willingness to sit down and [talk] to the company I'm with” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 9/7).
NOTES: Bills WR Stevie Johnson and Vizio will “reward a fan with a new TV and money given to Johnson's favorite charity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America” for every touchdown Johnson scores this season (ESPN.com, 9/8)....Knicks F Carmelo Anthony is the “first celebrity to make an appearance as a Tensator Virtual Assistant, a 3-D, life-size image projection and audio system that, until now, has been used mostly in airports to provide travel and security information to travelers.” U.K.-based Tensator “developed the virtual Carmelo Anthony for Manhattan-based Rookie USA” (NEWSDAY, 9/11).
