Martin (l) since coming out publicly has received well wishes from several celebrities and fellow athletesGETTY IMAGES
Minnesota United MF COLLIN MARTIN in June became the "only publicly gay male professional athlete in the five major U.S. sports," and since his announcement he has "sat on panels discussing gay issues, hosted an LGBTQ fundraiser for Minnesota gubernatorial candidate TIM WALZ, and conducted more than 40 interviews." Martin received "well-wishes" from CBS talk-show host JAMES CORDEN and actor JESSE TYLER FERGUSON, among other celebrities. Martin also heard "positive feedback" from Toronto FC F JOZY ALTIDORE, Orlando City MF SACHA KLJESTAN, Fire MF DAX MCCARTYand former USMNT member LANDON DONOVAN (TWINCITIES.com, 9/11).
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: NBC has given a "script commitment plus penalty" to "BROTHERLY LOVE," a single-camera comedy from 76ers G BEN SIMMONS, LEBRON JAMES and his SpringHill Entertainment. The show is "inspired by the life" of Simmons and centers on a "unique sibling relationship within a multi-ethnicity family." Together, they "pursue their dreams while navigating life in the spotlight in Philadelphia." Simmons and his brother SEAN TRIBE will be "consulting producers" (DEADLINE.com, 9/10)....Netflix has purchased global distribution rights to filmmaker STEVEN SODERBERGH's next feature, "HIGH FLYING BIRD," a sports-themed movie "set during an NBA lockout" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 9/11).
THE GOOD STUFF: Oilers C CONNOR MCDAVID has become a "Jumpstart ambassador with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation with a commitment over the next three years for $85,000" (EDMONTONSUN.com, 9/11)....On behalf of Packers QB AARON RODGERS, team President & CEO MARK MURPHY "donated $50,000 to Legal Action of Wisconsin" (JSONLINE.com, 9/11)....A group of current and former NFL Giants last week "presented a $20,000 donation during a surprise visit and practice with teams from the Paterson school district." ESPN's VICTOR CRUZ, a Paterson native and former Giants player, was also "in attendance" (NJ.com, 9/11).
NAMES: MICHAEL CHIESA, the UFC fighter "hurt in the April fracas" at Barclays Center that landed CONOR MCGREGOR in Brooklyn criminal court, is suing the Irish fighter. Chiesa is "alleging that McGregor's actions caused him physical, emotional and financial harm" and his injuries "led to his removal from the UFC event held at the arena" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/11)....Former Nike sales rep DAVID REICHERT yesterday was sentenced to a "year and a month in federal prison." Reichert "cheated the sportswear giant out of at least three quarters of a million dollars by offering deep discounts to two side companies he quietly formed with a friend" (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/12)....A mural of Basketball HOFer REGGIE MILLER "will be painted" on a downtown Indianapolis office building. The completed mural will "occupy a 60-foot by 15-foot windowless margin on the east side of the building" on East Michigan Street (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/12)....Golfer RORY MCILROY and wife ERICA STOLL on Monday night were "spotted sharing a 'romantic' evening together at Murray Hill hotspot Zuma" in N.Y. (NYPOST.com, 9/11).
IN MEMORY: Longtime N.C. State Senior Associate AD & CFO DIANE MOOSE died yesterday. Moose was a 21-year employee of the school (N.C. State).
