The AP's Tim Reynolds reported Heat G RAY ALLEN, who played the fictional character Jesus Shuttlesworth in the '98 movie "HE GOT GAME," yesterday said that he and filmmaker SPIKE LEE "have spent time over the last couple months discussing a sequel and are currently throwing ideas back and forth." Allen: "If we get a really good story line and are able to bring everybody back, then it would be something worth doing." He said that he is "committed to making it happen." The fact that Allen will wear a jersey bearing the name "J. Shuttlesworth" for a number of upcoming Heat games "figures to only add" to the film's recent resurgence in popularity. It is "probably not coincidental that Allen said he and Lee started their sequel discussions shortly after" the Heat won their second straight NBA championship last year (AP, 1/7).
CHANNELING THEIR INNER DRIVE: Last night's edition of NBC's "THE BIGGEST LOSER" featured an appearance by NASCAR driver CARL EDWARDS, who arrived at the Irwindale Speedway where the contestants were working out in his No. 99 Ford. Edwards said, "I am here today to do a couple of things: No 1, hopefully have a little bit of fun, and No. 2, be inspired by these folks." After the contestants ran up and down the aisles in the grandstand, Edwards was wearing a Subway sleeveless T-shirt and presented the contestants with Subway food. Edwards, a Subway endorser since '08, said, "You guys put in the work and you got the appetite. We got some Subway chopped salads … compliments of Subway" ("The Biggest Loser," NBC, 1/7).
NAMES: Late Penn State football coach JOE PATERNO's family and school supporters "scored a win over the NCAA on Tuesday, as some of their claims" of defamation, civil conspiracy and commercial disparagement "survived the first round of the legal battle and can proceed to the discovery phase" (CENTRE DAILY TIMES, 1/8)....Late MLBPA Exec Dir MICHAEL WEINER's nephew, GEORGE, is keeping the fight against brain cancer -- the disease that took Michael's life -- "alive." The 13-year-old hockey player has "raised more than $1,800 selling homemade, $1 helmet stickers at youth tournaments around the country" (MLB.com, 1/7). Former Univ. of Miami QB STEPHEN MORRIS, WR ALLEN HURNS and P PAT O'DONNELL yesterday signed with agent DREW ROSENHAUS (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 1/8)....Providence College men’s basketball coach ED COOLEY’s home last night was "damaged by a small fire, but no one was injured." Cooley said that there is a "good amount of damage to the house and he, his wife and their children are staying in a hotel" (AP, 1/8)....Forbes named MARIA SHARAPOVA to its "30 under 30" list (FORBES.com, 1/6)….Dodgers P HYUN-JIN RYU "released his second K-pop hit" on Sunday (FOXSPORTS.com, 1/7).
