Pittsburgh-based firm 2nd Skull, which designs protective beanie seeking to "soften blows to the head," has "caught the attention of the NFL." The company "won $100,000 from the NFL through the league's HeadHealth TECH Challenge." 2nd Skull CEO VAUGHAN BLAXTER said that the money will "help the three-year-old company conduct more testing" at the NFL's lab at Duke Univ. and "improve the product" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 11/9).
TURN ON THE TV: Lions WR MARVIN JONES JR. during his team's bye week tried out for Fox' "AMERICAN IDOL" in Nashville. Jones "wouldn't say" what he "sang for the judges -- or what happens during the audition." He said that will "have to wait" for ESPN's "NFL Countdown" on Sunday (ESPN.com, 11/8)....Former NFLer ANTHONY ADAMS is co-hosting ABC's "THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW" with STEPHEN CURRY's wife, AYESHA. The show debuts Dec. 7 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/9).
NAMES: NWSL club Sky Blue FC Majority Owner PHIL MURPHY was elected governor of New Jersey on Tuesday. Murphy was "wearing a U.S. Soccer jacket with the initials 'PM' on it as he greeted commuters in Hoboken" yesterday. Murphy "became involved" in the women's soccer club when it was part of the WPS in '09 (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 11/8)....Former N.Y.-based WFAN-AM host CRAIG CARTON yesterday "pleaded not guilty" in Manhattan federal court to an "indictment charging him with an alleged ticket-resale Ponzi scheme that scammed" more than $4M from investors. Carton said, "I am unequivocally not guilty of what I’m being charged with" (NEWSDAY, 11/9)....Cubs 1B ANTHONY RIZZO yesterday was named the “recipient of the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.” Rizzo was “honored by his fellow players for his excellence on and off the field" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/9)....The Florida Sports HOF yesterday inducted its most recent class, which included former PGA Tour Commissioner TIM FINCHEM (JACKSONVILLE.com, 11/8)....Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT last night “hosted an exclusive bash” at Gillette Stadium where a “lucky lot of guests were treated to a performance” by ELTON JOHN (BOSTON HERALD, 11/9).
