Lightning RW J.T. BROWN will "no longer raise his [fist] as a protest during the national anthem before games." He will instead "continue a more hands-on approach in the community in an attempt to raise awareness and understanding of issues he believes are important: police brutality and racial inequality." Brown "plans to donate Lightning tickets and his time to several Tampa Bay area organizations." Brown "thanked the Lightning" -- including Owner JEFF VINIK, management and teammates -- for "supporting him 'regardless of their personal feelings' about his protest" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/19).
THE AWARD GOES TO...: NESN President & CEO SEAN MCGRAIL was honored last night as a "Cable TV Pioneer at the 51st Annual Cable TV Pioneers Banquet" in Denver (NESN.com, 10/17)....The Women's Sports Foundation 38th Annual Salute to Women in Sports awards gala took place last night in N.Y. Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer KATIE LEDECKY received the '17 Sportswoman of the Year award in the individual sport category and Lynx F MAYA MOORE received the award in the team category. Former U.S. Secretary of State CONDOLEEZZA RICE received the Billie Jean King Leadership Award (WSF).
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Filmmaker DAVID TALBERT, LEBRON JAMES and actress GABRIELLE UNION are developing a single-camera comedy called “WHITE DAVE” for ABC. The show is about a young African-American teen who has “grown up in an all-white suburb” and “suddenly moves to an all-black neighborhood when his mom remarries” (DEADLINE.com, 10/18).
NAMES: The joint efforts of JENNIFER LOPEZ, MARC ANTHONY and ALEX RODRIGUEZ have raised more than $35M for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico (LATIMES.com, 10/18)....EVANDER HOLYFIELD is being honored in Atlanta with a “bronze sculpture that depicts” him in his “Humble Warrior” pose. It is “expected to be” unveiled in December at a park in the city (AJC.com, 10/18)....Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT and his family are “hosting a hush-hush party” at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 8 with ELTON JOHN as musical guest (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/19)....Former NHL player agent STACEY MCALPINE was arrested on Tuesday after police “alleged he bilked victims" out of more than $12M between ’04-11. McAlpine repped former NHLers DANY HEATLEY and CHRIS PHILLIPS, who both have “sued McAlpine previously for shaky real estate investments they said cost them millions" (WINNIPEG SUN, 10/19)....Musical perfomances by LCD SOUNDSYSTEM, METHOD MAN and REDMAN, MARTIN GARRIX and MARSHMELLO will “headline X Games Aspen” in January. All four headliners from the X Games venue at Buttermilk Ski Area will “also headline shows at Belly Up Aspen downtown” (ASPENTIMES.com, 10/18)....The Fashion Group Int’l has “lined up its award presenters” for the Oct. 26 Night of Stars at the Cipriani Wall Street restaurant in N.Y. Among the presenters is Cavaliers G DWYANE WADE (WWD.com, 10/19).
IN MEMORY: HELEN DEVOS, wife of Magic Owner RICH DEVOS, died yesterday of complications from a stroke following a recent diagnosis of myeloid leukemia (Magic).
