Vice President Mike Pence tweeted he left today's 49ers-Colts game because of "protests during the national anthem." No Colts players "knelt during the anthem, but some 49ers players did." Pence tweeted, "I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem. ... While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem" (INDYSTAR.com, 10/8).

I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ

— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

Several Twitter commentators were quick to point out that the 49ers' protest should have come as no surprise. Indianapolis Star's Zak Keefer: "Feels planned to me. This is FAR from the first time the 49ers have knelt. How could he have not expected this?" Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith: "How many tax dollars went to security at the Colts game today so Mike Pence could walk out when players did what he knew they'd do?" NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco: "I count 23 member of the #49ers kneeling for the playing of the national anthem as a protest of social inequality."

Peyton Manning was "immortalized on Saturday" with the dedication of a bronze statue in his likeness that will "tower some 13 feet over the northern entrance of Lucas Oil Stadium." The ceremony was "attended by an estimated 10,000 fans." The statue represents Manning "down to its most minute detail, from the loose jersey sleeves to the fact that it depicts Manning perched on his toes ready to deliver a pass." Today, his number is being "retired and his name inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor" during halftime of the Colts' home game against the 49ers (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/8). The statue event "featured many of Manning's former Colts teammates." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former GM Bill Polian, former coach Tony Dungy and longtime late-night TV host David Letterman "highlighted the eight guest speakers." The ceremony "lasted about an hour" (ESPN.com, 10/7).

After the event, Manning joked, “I don't know if you can still be alive to see a statue of you. So I've had a couple of physicals, just to be sure” (“Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 10/8).

Dannon has signed Cowboys QB Dak Prescott as an endorser and has "already scheduled Prescott to shoot his first TV commercial" this week in Dallas, according to sources. The yogurt brand on Thursday dropped Panthers QB Cam Newton as an endorser "following his controversial remark toward a female reporter." Prescott also has deals with Pepsi, Frito-Lay and Beats. Dannon Senior Dir/External Communications Michael Neuwirth "confirmed that the company would continue to keep Newton under contract, but has started the process of pulling existing advertising that includes Newton" (ESPN.com, 10/8).

The USMNT on Friday secured three "desperately needed points" with a 4-0 win over Panama in a World Cup qualifier at Orlando City Stadium. A win against last-place Trinidad & Tobago in the final qualifier Tuesday will "guarantee the U.S. a bid" to the '18 World Cup in Russia. An eighth-minute goal by MF Christian Pulisic brought the "announced sellout crowd of 25,303 to its feet." The U.S. held the match at Orlando City Stadium "in the hopes it would provide a friendly atmosphere and it did." Chants of "U-S-A" drowned out a "sizable Panamanian contingent in attendance and the supporters section of the stadium remained standing the entire match despite being converted into a seated area for the night" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/7).

Current plans call for the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium to be "open for only one more public event this year: Atlanta United’s Oct. 22 regular-season finale." The roof will "not be open for any more Falcons games this season because of continuing work on its mechanization." The roof has been "open for only one event so far -- the Falcons’ Sept. 17 regular-season home opener" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/7).

UFC 216 last night was the promotion's seventh event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and "drew an announced attendance of 10,638 and a live gate of $677,999.50." The event "ranked sixth" in attendance among those seven shows (MMAJUNKIE.com, 10/8).

Last Sunday’s mass shooting "cast a wide shadow" over the first major event on the Las Vegas Strip since the tragedy. Before the main card began, two injured first responders and two survivors were "recognized in the octagon before Everlast performed 'America The Beautiful.'" UFC President Dana White also "made a statement in a video that played in the arena." UFC "provided free tickets to hundreds of first responders, law-enforcement agents and victims." The arena was "dotted with fans wearing 'Vegas Strong' shirts, and that message was also permanently and prominently displayed in the right corner of the pay-per-view broadcast" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 10/8). Everlast was "originally scheduled to perform 'The Star-Spangled Banner'" before UFC 216, but he "didn’t want to sing the words 'bombs bursting in air' in Las Vegas." He said that doing so "just felt wrong" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/8).

There is a "tangible buzz" about the 3-1 Rams this season, but that buzz has "yet to translate into increased attendance in their home market." The Rams "probably haven't been this exciting in a decade," but the attendance at today's home game against the Seahawks "will be no more than around 60,000." Despite the Rams capping their L.A. Memorial Coliseum capacity at 65,000 this year, they "still aren't selling out games" (ESPN.com, 10/7).

Tilman Fertitta yesterday "spent a part of his first full day" as Rockets Owner at Toyota Center taking in the annual Fan Fest and open scrimmage. The transfer of the Rockets' ownership was approved Friday, and Fertitta "closed the deal to purchase the team" from Leslie Alexander (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/8). Fertitta's approval was "considered a formality, despite his ownership of Golden Nugget Hotels and Casinos, with several current or former NBA owners also holding stakes in casinos." Fertitta "indicated he would keep the Rockets' current management team," including CEO Tad Brown and GM Daryl Morey, in place. He has "held meetings since the agreement on the sale of the team with the heads of the team's business and basketball sides" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/7).

Lightning RW J.T. Brown last night became the "first NHL player this season to make a silent protest during the national anthem before a regular-season game." Brown, one of about 30 black players in the NHL, "raised a closed right fist while on the bench before the game" against the Panthers. Brown said that he "consulted with his family and several members of the active military about protesting" and "decided he wouldn't kneel or sit." Brown yesterday gave coaches and teammates a "head's up about his protest" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/8).

In anticipation of "media and public relations challenges" related to the 49ers, the city of Santa Clara is "prepared to spend $50,000 of taxpayer dollars on an outside PR firm." The city hired DC-based Banner Public Affairs, which "specializes in government and crisis management relations." BPA Partner Peter Hillan was "tapped to work directly with Santa Clara officials." Hillan was previously hired by the 49ers to "help bring their home stadium to Santa Clara" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 10/6).

The metal display board that flashes the number for the black flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway "fell off the flag stand bringing out a caution with 58 laps remaining" in yesterday's NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for The Cure 300. The metal box "fell onto the track but did not damage any cars" (AP, 10/8).

Meanwhile, NBC's Erik Jones "clipped a staircase while driving the NBC demonstration car for a segment for the network’s race coverage." Stairs are "used at most every track at crossover gate points to let fans and officials get from the grandstands to the infield when the track is not in use." The stairs were "left on the track for the segment" with Jones and former driver and NBC analyst Jeff Burton, and Jones was going "well over 100 MPH in the car" when he hit them (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/7).

.@Erik_Jones runs into steps on the @CLTMotorSpdwy #Charolette @Lizzie_McD @iDroneHD @Canuck289 #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/NCmtpWfhfb

— Uncle Bill 🌎 (@UBtalkin) October 8, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve ­Scalise (R-La.), who was "shot and seriously wounded at a practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in June, threw out the first pitch" at Friday night’s Cubs-Nationals NLDS Game 1 in DC. U.S. Capitol police special agent David Bailey, one of the two officers "wounded in the shooting at an Alexandria Little League field, caught Scalise’s pitch" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/6).

Nationals RF Bryce Harper paid "tribute to victims" of the Las Vegas shooting by wearing a pair of "custom-designed Vegas Strong cleats" from Under Armour during NLDS Game 1 (BALTIMORESUN.com, 10/6).

Bucks co-Owner Marc Lasry was among three members of the Weinstein Company board who "resigned" amid an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Harvey Weinstein according to sources (N.Y. TIMES, 10/7).

The Warriors "submitted a bid" for the NBA All-Star Game to be held at Chase Center in '21, according to sources (MERCURYNEWS.com, 10/6).

The Lightning announced a new partnership with Papa John's, which becomes the team's Official Pizza (Lightning).

Esports franchise Phoenix1 has "filed for a trademark for the name 'Los Angeles Gladiators.'" A source said that the franchise will "operate one" of the L.A. Overwatch League teams on behalf of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (ESPN.com, 10/6). 

"He's not planning on kneeling. He's going to donate all his jersey sales. And he's planning to stand for the anthem if given the opportunity" -- CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, after meeting with free agent QB Colin Kaepernick for an exclusive interview ("The NFL Today," CBS, 10/8).

"Senior and Junior were two different people, but they had that magic name that really resounded with fans, and it'll really be missed now. I wish there was another Earnhardt out there" -- Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler, on today's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 500 being Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final race at the track (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/8).

"This is the place that gave me an opportunity to make a name for myself. I still have great ties with the organization. They take care of me every time I come home. It just feels right for me to be back home" -- Basketball HOFer Tracy McGrady, on his decision to join the Magic as a special assistant to CEO Alex Martins (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/7).

"He got to the point where I knew one day he needed to be in 'the seat.' He had some opportunities and walked away from some. He was looking for the right opportunity and Boston College was certainly the right one" -- Ohio State AD Gene Smith, on Boston College's Martin Jarmond becoming the youngest AD at a Power 5 school after his previous stint as Assistant AD at OSU (BOSTON HERALD, 10/8).

The N.Y. TIMES writes, "Right now, there is no NCAA for esports." As colleges and "even power conferences like the Big Ten and the Pacific-12 soften their stances toward accepting esports into a once-exclusive athletic fraternity," the NCAA has "lagged behind." CABLEFAX.com writes of esports, "A future in which the biggest matches air on the largest networks may not be far off."

In a special to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod and Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander write under the header, "Exploited College Athletes? A Tired Myth." Paying players "would undoubtedly have unintended consequences that could put the majority of college sports that don’t generate revenue in serious jeopardy."
 
Elsewhere:

• NFL ticket sales seemingly not affected by national anthem protests.
• AT&T Stadium leads all Texas venues in alcohol revenue.
• Female ADs at Pitt, Penn State stand out in male-dominated field.
• Patriots take "unprecedented step" of sponsoring gay flag football event.
• Recalling a polarizing anthem performance by Jose Feliciano in '68.
• Coyotes GM John Chayka is one of the NHL's brightest young minds.

Former LA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar addressed Seahawks this weekend, prior to today’s game vs Rams. Pete Carroll digging into LA background.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2017

Al Davis passed away 6 years ago - in the 80s he gave a young woman an opportunity of a lifetime and I shall forever be grateful - he. (1/2)

— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) October 8, 2017

UNLV's appearance on ESPN2 tonight v. San Diego State means $25,000 bonus for coach Tony Sanchez. Gets amt per Sat. game on ESPN/ESPN2

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) October 8, 2017

And with that, my time at the CA has come to an end. Off to D.C. My first day with USA Today Sports is Oct. 16.

— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) October 7, 2017

Several cars this weekend at Charlotte have decals in memory of 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame... https://t.co/fAntdnvLjN pic.twitter.com/61bGVLX03B

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 7, 2017

After outtakes from this season of HBO's "Hard Knocks" showed Buccaneers OT Donovan Smith "getting grief from his Bucs teammates for having not seen several classic Disney movies," Smith on Friday posted photos on social media "showing a care package of DVDs sent by Disney to One Buc Place." The package "contained several movies -- Cinderella, Pinocchio, The Lion King, Frozen, Finding Dory, The Jungle Book and more -- along with a handwritten note" (TAMPABAY.com, 10/7).

#SwipeRight Appreciate it @disney @disneystudios This package should definitely get my teammates off my back #ChildhoodRestored

A post shared by Donovan Smith (@dsmith_76) on Oct 6, 2017 at 7:26am PDT

During a game break in Florida's home loss to LSU yesterday, fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium honored the late Tom Petty by singing along to "I Won't Back Down." UF in announcing the tribute noted Petty once worked as a groundskeeper at the school.

This one’s for you, @TomPetty. pic.twitter.com/OMUwJOnAgS

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 7, 2017