"He came over, extended his hand and asked me if I'd shake it and said, 'You're not still mad at me, are you? I wish you wouldn't be' ... I give him credit for showing a gentleman's side." – ESPN's Teddy Atlas, Boxing HOFer Mike Tyson's former trainer, on Tyson's recent apology for their strained relationship ("Friday Night Fights," ESPN2, 8/23).
"People who see this are going to see what ESPN doesn’t want you to see and what the NFL doesn’t want you to feel" – Director Sean Pamphilon, on last Friday's debut of his new documentary on head injuries in sports, "The United States of Football" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/25).
"The last thing I thought I’d be doing was TV. Fortunately I can talk through anything in a very crisp clip and try to get all the information quickly. That kind of surprised me that I was able to do that" – ESPN's John Clayton (N.Y. TIMES, 8/25).
"If you really want to make a difference, when you pack your stuff, pack a rainbow pen. Give an interview over there that says you’re pro-gay and that you support the LGBT community. That’s what I’m going to do" – USA Hockey Dir of Player Personnel Brian Burke, advising athletes in the '14 Sochi Games to make their views on Russia's anti-gay laws known (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/24).
"To say Kraft only knows what’s going on in the building, it’s like having blinders and earmuffs on. Is that all he wants to know?" – Private investigator Bob Long, on Patriots Owner Robert Kraft's handling of the Aaron Hernandez situation (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/25).
"I don't think this is anywhere near as big as they thought" – Fort Collins, Colo. police officer Dawn Johnsen, on USA Pro Challenge attendance after the city prepared for 70,000 spectators (DENVER POST, 8/25).
"So you think 24,000 is a great crowd for the Yankees on Friday in Tampa? I don't want to hear about this wrong side of the Bay and all this nonsense. It's Friday night! You should have been there!" – Boston Globe's Bob Ryan, on poor attendance at Tropicana Field ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 8/25).
