Seahawks WR DOUG BALDWIN announced his "public and financial support" for Washington Initiative 940, a measure proponents "hope will go on the ballot soon that would require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation, mental-health, and first-aid training." It would "provide first-aid training and increased ability for officers to administer first aid." It would "change standards for use of deadly force, adding a 'good faith' standard and independent investigation." Baldwin has said for the past year that what police organizations "truly need to reform and progress in communities is money." He has been a "face and voice of the Seahawks’ protest movement nationally since last year." He has "met and talked with police organizations from across the state," and with Washington Attorney General BOB FERGUSON (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 12/7).
WEATHERING THE STORM: Mavericks G J.J. BAREA has "worked diligently to raise money for relief efforts in his native Puerto Rico since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck." When his alma mater Northeastern faced Bucknell on Tuesday, Barea "returned to campus to assist the school with its 'Paws for Puerto Rico' fundraiser." Northeastern T-shirts were "given to anyone who donated money to the cause" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7). Meanwhile, FS1's STUART HOLDEN will "participate in his Hurricane Harvey" charity soccer event in Houston next week. Also joining the event are Astros 3B ALEX BREGMAN, former NBAer STEVE NASH, former NFLer CHAD JOHNSON, Gold Medal-winning U.S. skier BODE MILLER and former MLBer ROGER CLEMENS (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/7).
'TIS THE SEASON: Former MLBer and ESPN analyst DAVID ROSS is among several baseball personalities who "will be celebrity bartenders" tomorrow at Cubs manager JOE MADDON's annual Thanksmas fundraising dinner in Tampa. Also signed up are Rays P CHRIS ARCHER and CF KEVIN KIERMAIER, Cubs LF KYLE SCHWARBER, A's RF MATT JOYCE and free agent JOSE BAUTISTA (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/7). Current and former Red Wings players "will serve as Salvation Army red kettle bell ringers at four metro Detroit retail stores that are competing against each other to see who can raise the most money" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/7).
CREATING SMILES: The San Diego Padres Fowler Family Playroom was unveiled yesterday at the Ronald McDonald House in San Diego, a project "conceived by the Padres Family Association and funded by an auction the ladies conducted" and also by Padres Exec Chair RON FOWLER and his wife ALEXIS (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 12/7).
