The NFLPA yesterday announced the creation of “One Team Pride” shirts, an “LGBT-themed tee whose sales will benefit Athlete Ally, the group founded by former Maryland wrestler Hudson Taylor.” The union said that the shirts “can be customized with the player names and jersey numbers" for several current and former NFLers, including free agent LBs Brendon Ayanbadejo and Chris Gocong, OT Eric Winston, Eagles LB Connor Barwin, Raiders P Chris Kluwe, Ravens LB Terrell Suggs, Redskins WR Donte' Stallworth and former NFLers Scott Fujita and Steve Gleason (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/12).
SHOW ME THE MONEY: NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski appeared on ESPN’s “PTI” to discuss Forbes magazine’s list of top earning drivers. Keselowski, who was ranked 10th, said, “I’m pretty far down for being the reigning champion.” He said of moving up the list, “All I can say is I got to win more.” Keselowski noted, “I think if you look at some of the highest earners in the sport, whether it’s Dale Jr. or Danica Patrick or whoever it might be, the majority of their income definitely comes from endorsements,” and in order to be a top earner “you need to be a great endorser” (“PTI,” ESPN, 6/11).
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING: The Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL reports NASCAR driver Brian Vickers will sport Univ. of Louisville colors and a paint scheme "honoring the Cardinals’ NCAA basketball championship" on his No. 55 Toyota on June 29 in the Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. The UL mascot on the hood and Vickers’ red, black and white fire suit “will pay tribute to the school, located about 60 miles from the speedway” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 6/13).
CHEERS TO THIS: Titletown Brewing announced that it “will brew Lombardi Brewing Co.’s flagship beer, Lombardi Lager, this fall” to celebrate late Packers coach Vince Lombardi. Lombardi would have “turned 100 years old Tuesday.” The release is “just in time for football season” (PACKERSNEWS.com, 6/12).
