Seahawks DE MICHAEL BENNETT, who was scheduled to be one of the 11 NFLers to visit Israel next week as part of a goodwill tour sponsored by the Israeli government, has "decided not to make the trip, apparently over concerns that his involvement would be construed as approving the country's policies" regarding Palestine. Bennett’s decision "came on the heels of an open letter by renowned musicians, artists and social justice advocates released Thursday asking the NFL players 'to consider withdrawing from the delegation given Israel’s track record of human rights abuses'" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/11).
THE GOOD STUFF: The Dolphins' seventh annual Dolphins Cancer Challenge on Saturday had a "record turnout of more than 4,000 participants." Dolphins Owner STEPHEN ROSS was "among those who biked, ran or walked" in the event. Dolphins Exec VP/Football Operations MIKE TANNENBAUM, coach ADAM GASE and Pro Football HOFer DAN MARINO were also at the event that "concluded with a concert at Hard Rock Stadium by COUNTING CROWS," which drew more than 5,000 (MIAMI HERALD, 2/13)....Celtics G ISAIAH THOMAS on Friday in his hometown of Tacoma, Wash., dedicated a gym "in his name at the Al Davies Boys and Girls Club." Thomas "donated $80,000 to the project" and convinced the NBPA to donate another $20,000. A series of Nike posters on the wall "feature Thomas" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/13).
NAMES: Kansas State football coach BILL SNYDER today in a statement said he has been diagnosed with throat cancer and has been "receiving outpatient treatment at the KU Medical Center for about three weeks." Snyder said he is "getting along very well" and the diagnosis will not affect his duties leading the program (KSU)....Wizards G BRADLEY BEAL “filed a lawsuit earlier this month against his former landlord for a home he rented” in Rockville, Md. Beal is “seeking approximately $700,000 in compensatory and punitive damages, citing an illegally requested and handled security deposit, plus the landlord’s own demand that Beal pay him more than $87,000 for alleged damages to the property” (WASHINGTON POST, 2/13)....The 76ers on Saturday “unveiled a statue” at their practice facility in honor of Basketball HOFer HAL GREER (PHILLY.com, 2/11)....Steelers RB DEANGELO WILLIAMS last night was a guest on AMC’s “TALKING DEAD,” where host CHRIS HARDWICK described him as a “huge 'WALKING DEAD' fan" (“Talking Dead,” AMC, 2/12)....NASCAR driver BRAD KESELOWSKI on Saturday night married his longtime girlfriend PAIGE WHITE (DETROITNEWS.com, 2/12).
