Lions WR ANQUAN BOLDIN and S GLOVER QUIN "expect to join other NFL players" in returning to DC next month for a meeting with PRESIDENT TRUMP's administration. They "visited the capital in November to meet with officials" from PRESIDENT OBAMA's administration about what they "viewed as a mistrust between police and the black community." Meanwhile, Boldin organized "The Power Of Sports To Improve Race Relations" last week in Houston. The panel was attended by Quin, along with Lions CB JOHNSON BADEMOSI, Eagles S MALCOLM JENKINS, Browns WR ANDREW HAWKINS, Bills S JAMES IHEDIGBO and Browns QB JOSH MCCOWN (MLIVE.com, 2/3). Meanwhile, 49ers QB COLIN KAEPERNICK's National Anthem protest has "stirred some to action," as the S.F. Foundation is "finalizing plans for programs designed to help improve relations between law enforcement and communities of color." The initiatives will be funded through a $500,000 grant from the 49ers." The Silicon Valley Community Foundation also got $500,000 from the 49ers (USA TODAY, 2/4).
OPENING LINE: BRENT MUSBURGER on Friday afternoon held a ribbon cutting for Vegas Stats & Information Network, his "new multiplatform network dedicated to sports gambling." Musburger rode in to the event "on a carriage drawn by" the Budweiser Clydesdales (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/4).
TO THE BIG SCREEN: ABC has "greenlit a comedy pilot, 'JALEN VS. EVERYBODY,'" starring ESPN's JALEN ROSE. The project "hails from the team behind ABC's 'FRESH OFF THE BOAT.'" NAHNATCHKA KHAN "wrote the pilot and will executive produce," while Rose will "serve as a producer." The half-hour single camera comedy "follows Rose, as he juggles his career responsibilities with the challenges of being a single dad." Rose is repped by CAA's NICK KHAN, who is Nahnatchka Khan’s brother (VARIETY.com, 2/3). "Jalen vs. Everybody" marks a "natural extension for ABC," home to the NBA Finals. Rose guest-starred in a "Fresh Off The Boat" episode last year (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 2/3).
NAMES: Giants QB ELI MANNING and Cardinals WR LARRY FITZGERALD were each named “co-winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award on Saturday night” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/5)....CNN’s WOLF BLITZER interviewed Wizards C MARCIN GORTAT at the residence of Polish Ambassador PIOTR WILCZEK prior to the team’s Polish Heritage Night on Saturday. Wizards F OTTO PORTER, coach SCOTT BROOKS and President ERNIE GRUNFELD were also at Wilczek’s (POLITICO.com, 2/4)....Recently retired Oakmont Country Club Dir of Golf BOB FORD has received the USGA's Bob Jones Award. The award is “given in recognition of exemplary sportsmanship in golf.” Ford is the “first PGA of America club professional to receive the award, which has been presented annually” since ’55 (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/5)....Thunder G RUSSELL WESTBROOK is featured on the cover of yesterday's N.Y. Times Magazine under the header, "The Misunderstood Genius Of Russell Westbrook" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 2/5 issue)....The jersey and protective head gear worn by DANIEL “RUDY” RUETTIGER during the famous '75 Georgia Tech-Notre Dame game -- which inspired the '93 film "RUDY,” was “sold by Hunt Auctions for $241,500 on Saturday” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/5).
