The AP's Howard Fendrich cited a source as saying that KELLY CLARKSON will "sing the national anthem before" Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5. MIRANDA LAMBERT and BLAKE SHELTON are slated to sing "America the Beautiful" as part of the pregame festivities (AP, 1/11).
SHARING IS CARING: Bruins C MARC SAVARD, who is "out for the season with post-concussion syndrome, is showing a good time to pediatric patients who are also suffering from head trauma." He "purchased a luxe suite at the TD Garden for every Bruins home game from now through the end of the 2012-14 season and will turn it over to patients from Children's Hospital Boston." Each suite will be "stocked with treats and will get a visit from mascot Blades and the Bruins Ice Girls" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/12).
LASTING HONOR: The Fritz Pollard Alliance has "created the PAUL J. TAGLIABUE Award of Excellence in honor of the former NFL commissioner." The award "goes to a league or team executive who demonstrates the integrity and leadership Tagliabue exhibited in career development opportunities for minority candidates and advocacy for diversity on the league and club level." The award will be presented during Super Bowl week next month (AP, 1/11).
GET WELL SOON: Former Penn State AD TIM CURLEY, who has been "charged with perjury in connection with the" JERRY SANDUSKY scandal, had a "malignant cancerous tumor removed from one of his lungs, but did not want to disclose his health issues while he battled his legal problems." His wife, MELINDA, released a statement yesterday "thanking her husband's supporters." She said in part, "A malignant cancerous tumor was discovered, and one-half of Tim's lung was removed. He has not required chemotherapy or radiation. However, doctors continue to monitor his condition" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/12).
NAMES: A $1M gift to Kent State Univ.'s basketball and golf programs, which "was to result in naming the basketball court for donor JASON COPE, was withdrawn after the student newspaper began questioning Cope's activities as a broker 12 years ago" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/11)....NEAL AURICCHIO, a Rangers fan who was "jumped and beaten by Philadelphia Flyers fans" after the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will be the guest of honor at an upcoming Rangers game. The team "reached out to Auricchio," who will be given tickets to the Rangers' home game against the Devils on Feb. 27. He will also meet the team in the locker room following the game (NJ.com, 1/12)....Marlins LF LOGAN MORRISON appeared yesterday at the Riveria Beach, Fla., Parent Child Center and gave out 10 scholarships for local children to attend his baseball camp this weekend. Morrison hosted a charity camp last January to raise money for the American Lung Association, and his second annual camp will be held this weekend at the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. CurrentTV's KEITH OLBERMANN made a $2,500 donation to the kids (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 1/11)....Actors MORGAN FREEMAN and DON CHEADLE, along with singer SMOKEY ROBINSON will “tee it up” next week at the $5.6M Humana Challenge Pro-Am PGA Tournament in La Quinta, Calif. Other participants include actors CRAIG NELSON, BILLY CRUDUP and LUCAS BLACK, musicians MICHAEL BOLTON and ALICE COOPER, and Basketball HOFer JULIUS ERVING (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/12).
