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  February 22, 2018 12:52 AM PST

  The campaign to reverse the trend of cuts to youth sports funding is going green. Stitched Antonio Brown Jersey .The Sports Matter program run by the DICKS Sporting Goods Foundation has launched a green shoelaces movement. Under the latest all-sports initiative, DICKS will donate $2 from every shoelace sale to Sports Matter. The green shoelaces can be purchased at DICKS stores or online at dicks.com.As I travel around the country, I see more and more young athletes who dont have the means to play, and it breaks my heart, says Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden, now an analyst for ESPN and an ambassador for Sports Matter. The green laces represent more than your average shoelaces. They are a tangible way to raise awareness and start conversation around this crisis, all while raising money for kids who really need it the most.Projections show that 27% of U.S. public high schools might not have any sports programs by 2020, according to Up2Us Sports, a New York-based non-profit. With billions of dollars slashed from youth sports budgets in recent years, DICKS and its foundation have pledged more than $50 million to support teams and raise awareness of the issue. To date, the Sports Matter program has helped nearly 2,000 youth sports teams.Sports helped me get through some tough times in life, and taught me a lot about how to be a man on and off the field, says Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Kids need more chances in life, and I hate to imagine a world where sports arent around to help kids stay out of trouble and succeed.Green shoelace users can show their support as well by taking a picture of their casual or athletic shoes or cleats laced up with green shoelaces and use (hash)SaveYouthSports. You can be sure Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs will make such a fashion statement.Seeing what kids are exposed to nowadays makes the positive influences of coaches and teams more important than ever, Diggs says. The opportunity to play sports is huge in a kids life in so many ways, and not being able to afford joining a team is tragic.Thats why Ill be standing with others who purchase green laces in support of Sports Matter, and proud to wear them during Week 13 on `Thursday Night Football. `DICKS foundation also will use money donated to help raise awareness for and support underfunded youth sports programs.Other athletes involved in the program include Justise Winslow of the Miami Heat, Dexter Fowler of the Chicago Cubs (now a free agent), Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics, and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets.The initiative also includes a short film profile of the Fifth Ward Saints football organization outside of Houston. It shows the importance of football in the lives of generations of Houston-area kids. At the end of the film, DICKS Foundation donates a $100,000 grant, including new equipment, as a gift.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLSportsMatter.com/greenlaces Robert Golden Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Vince Williams Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. http://www.cheapsteelersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-stephon-tuitt-jersey.875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. In Sharjah this week, Kraigg Brathwaites slender shoulders grew as broad as Samsons of biblical fame. Refusing to be moved, he knocked down for the belaboured West Indies a wall that has stood for some 26 years, helping deliver a five-wicket win over Pakistan, their first against that opponent away from home since 1990.Test cricket was still being played in Pakistan when a team led by Desmond Haynes won in Faisalabad by seven wickets. It is a sporting irony that arguably the weakest West Indies side to face Pakistan on foreign soil should be able to match what a team stacked with legends did.Brathwaites work in Sharjah could come to define his career. Bettering his most resolute self, his ten and a half hours at the crease in the third Test for 142 and 60, both not out, ensured that his bowlers work in this series finally paid off.The problem of bowling teams out with regularity had reached crisis proportions over the last 12 months for West Indies, especially in the series away to Australia and at home to India. When it was announced they were going to a region traditionally unkind to seamers, it did not inspire confidence that such impotence would be overcome. But in the UAE, West Indies eventually achieved success on the back of their bowling. Big contributions from different members of the attack kept them in all three Tests, and almost set up a win in the first, in Dubai.In that first game, Devendra Bishoos 8 for 49 was also career-defining, and it turned a Pakistan walkover into a compelling match that Darren Bravos sheet-anchor 116 threatened to convert into a storied West Indies win. Perhaps the aggressive, slightly complacent Pakistan batsmen played a part in the turnaround, but that second-innings Bishoo effort changed the series for West Indies. Bravo built on the momentum his team-mate had started. And while he could not take his heroics all the way, the visitors went to the second Test with greater self-belief.While Bishoo deferred to Shannon Gabriel in Abu Dhabi, where the big fast bowler got his first five-wicket haul in all first-class cricket, the leggie had a platform on which to build. Injury and lack of faith by the selectors have stymied his progress since his debut against Pakistan five years ago. Bishoos seven wickets in the final Test ought to buy him time so he can truly settle down.His effort, and captain Jason Holders second-innings five-for in Sharjah, ensured that the targets in front of the sides unsteady batting line-up were not too challenging. And it was the ability of the bowlers to progressively get at the Pakistan batting that will encourage Holder and the selection panel. The more sustained threat of Gabriel as a result of an improved fitness reegime and greater balance on delivery is bringing him better results. Rocky Bleier Jersey. he decline of the injury-plagued Kemar Roach and the retirement from Tests of Jerome Taylor have left the already depleted West Indies fast bowling stocks in a critical state. They desperately need Gabriel to stay fit, and to find a reliable new-ball partner for him. Teenager Alzarri Joseph, the Under-19 hero, was given his second game in the third Test. He will have to be carefully managed, but sooner rather than later must be given the chance to establish himself alongside Gabriel.Bravos excellent first-Test effort of 87 and 116 demonstrated the kind of leadership in batting that West Indies require of him. But, not for the first time, he was unable to keep to those high standards in the other two Tests.While Bravo did at least distinguish himself, the same could not be said for team veteran Marlon Samuels, who averaged just 23.83 in the series, and did not shoulder the burden a player of his experience and expertise should. That meant the pressure was all on Bravo at No. 3 and Brathwaite at the top of the order. Brathwaite has also not been helped by the lack of a steady, productive opening partner.Those are significant problems for a side woefully short of Test match experience. From captain to wicketkeeper, West Indies are a team of on-the-job trainees. As such, they are getting their share of hard knocks.People forget this is a very, very young side. When you look at the number of players under 25, it is unbelievable that a side in Test cricket could be so young, bowling coach Roddy Estwick reminded the world. But its a good thing, and once the people of the Caribbean and the selectors remain patient, I think weve got the making of a pretty decent side in 12 to 18 months.Estwick was speaking in the absence of a head coach. Phil Simmons, if anyone needs reminding, was removed just before West Indies left for the UAE for their series. Turmoil and inevitable negative fallout followed, so that the Test side entered their finaThe campaign to reverse the trend of cuts to youth sports funding is going green. Stitched Antonio Brown Jersey .The Sports Matter program run by the DICKS Sporting Goods Foundation has launched a green shoelaces movement. Under the latest all-sports initiative, DICKS will donate $2 from every shoelace sale to Sports Matter. The green shoelaces can be purchased at DICKS stores or online at dicks.com.As I travel around the country, I see more and more young athletes who dont have the means to play, and it breaks my heart, says Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden, now an analyst for ESPN and an ambassador for Sports Matter. The green laces represent more than your average shoelaces. They are a tangible way to raise awareness and start conversation around this crisis, all while raising money for kids who really need it the most.Projections show that 27% of U.S. public high schools might not have any sports programs by 2020, according to Up2Us Sports, a New York-based non-profit. With billions of dollars slashed from youth sports budgets in recent years, DICKS and its foundation have pledged more than $50 million to support teams and raise awareness of the issue. To date, the Sports Matter program has helped nearly 2,000 youth sports teams.Sports helped me get through some tough times in life, and taught me a lot about how to be a man on and off the field, says Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Kids need more chances in life, and I hate to imagine a world where sports arent around to help kids stay out of trouble and succeed.Green shoelace users can show their support as well by taking a picture of their casual or athletic shoes or cleats laced up with green shoelaces and use (hash)SaveYouthSports. You can be sure Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs will make such a fashion statement.Seeing what kids are exposed to nowadays makes the positive influences of coaches and teams more important than ever, Diggs says. The opportunity to play sports is huge in a kids life in so many ways, and not being able to afford joining a team is tragic.Thats why Ill be standing with others who purchase green laces in support of Sports Matter, and proud to wear them during Week 13 on `Thursday Night Football. `DICKS foundation also will use money donated to help raise awareness for and support underfunded youth sports programs.Other athletes involved in the program include Justise Winslow of the Miami Heat, Dexter Fowler of the Chicago Cubs (now a free agent), Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics, and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets.The initiative also includes a short film profile of the Fifth Ward Saints football organization outside of Houston. It shows the importance of football in the lives of generations of Houston-area kids. At the end of the film, DICKS Foundation donates a $100,000 grant, including new equipment, as a gift.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLSportsMatter.com/greenlaces Robert Golden Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Vince Williams Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. http://www.cheapsteelersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-stephon-tuitt-jersey.875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. In Sharjah this week, Kraigg Brathwaites slender shoulders grew as broad as Samsons of biblical fame. Refusing to be moved, he knocked down for the belaboured West Indies a wall that has stood for some 26 years, helping deliver a five-wicket win over Pakistan, their first against that opponent away from home since 1990.Test cricket was still being played in Pakistan when a team led by Desmond Haynes won in Faisalabad by seven wickets. It is a sporting irony that arguably the weakest West Indies side to face Pakistan on foreign soil should be able to match what a team stacked with legends did.Brathwaites work in Sharjah could come to define his career. Bettering his most resolute self, his ten and a half hours at the crease in the third Test for 142 and 60, both not out, ensured that his bowlers work in this series finally paid off.The problem of bowling teams out with regularity had reached crisis proportions over the last 12 months for West Indies, especially in the series away to Australia and at home to India. When it was announced they were going to a region traditionally unkind to seamers, it did not inspire confidence that such impotence would be overcome. But in the UAE, West Indies eventually achieved success on the back of their bowling. Big contributions from different members of the attack kept them in all three Tests, and almost set up a win in the first, in Dubai.In that first game, Devendra Bishoos 8 for 49 was also career-defining, and it turned a Pakistan walkover into a compelling match that Darren Bravos sheet-anchor 116 threatened to convert into a storied West Indies win. Perhaps the aggressive, slightly complacent Pakistan batsmen played a part in the turnaround, but that second-innings Bishoo effort changed the series for West Indies. Bravo built on the momentum his team-mate had started. And while he could not take his heroics all the way, the visitors went to the second Test with greater self-belief.While Bishoo deferred to Shannon Gabriel in Abu Dhabi, where the big fast bowler got his first five-wicket haul in all first-class cricket, the leggie had a platform on which to build. Injury and lack of faith by the selectors have stymied his progress since his debut against Pakistan five years ago. Bishoos seven wickets in the final Test ought to buy him time so he can truly settle down.His effort, and captain Jason Holders second-innings five-for in Sharjah, ensured that the targets in front of the sides unsteady batting line-up were not too challenging. And it was the ability of the bowlers to progressively get at the Pakistan batting that will encourage Holder and the selection panel. The more sustained threat of Gabriel as a result of an improved fitness reegime and greater balance on delivery is bringing him better results. Rocky Bleier Jersey. he decline of the injury-plagued Kemar Roach and the retirement from Tests of Jerome Taylor have left the already depleted West Indies fast bowling stocks in a critical state. They desperately need Gabriel to stay fit, and to find a reliable new-ball partner for him. Teenager Alzarri Joseph, the Under-19 hero, was given his second game in the third Test. He will have to be carefully managed, but sooner rather than later must be given the chance to establish himself alongside Gabriel.Bravos excellent first-Test effort of 87 and 116 demonstrated the kind of leadership in batting that West Indies require of him. But, not for the first time, he was unable to keep to those high standards in the other two Tests.While Bravo did at least distinguish himself, the same could not be said for team veteran Marlon Samuels, who averaged just 23.83 in the series, and did not shoulder the burden a player of his experience and expertise should. That meant the pressure was all on Bravo at No. 3 and Brathwaite at the top of the order. Brathwaite has also not been helped by the lack of a steady, productive opening partner.Those are significant problems for a side woefully short of Test match experience. From captain to wicketkeeper, West Indies are a team of on-the-job trainees. As such, they are getting their share of hard knocks.People forget this is a very, very young side. When you look at the number of players under 25, it is unbelievable that a side in Test cricket could be so young, bowling coach Roddy Estwick reminded the world. But its a good thing, and once the people of the Caribbean and the selectors remain patient, I think weve got the making of a pretty decent side in 12 to 18 months.Estwick was speaking in the absence of a head coach. Phil Simmons, if anyone needs reminding, was removed just before West Indies left for the UAE for their series. Turmoil and inevitable negative fallout followed, so that the Test side entered their final match searching for the teams only win all tour. That they managed to secure it was to their great credit. The last time West Indies had beaten a side above them in the rankings away from home was back in 2007, when South Africa were surprised in Port Elizabeth, where Samuels engineered a 128-run victory.But just as West Indies transformation in the Pakistan Tests could not have been predicted, so also is the future progress of this team unpredictable. Consistent selectors and broad-minded administrators in West Indies cricket are just hard to find. ' ' 'l match searching for the teams only win all tour. That they managed to secure it was to their great credit. The last time West Indies had beaten a side above them in the rankings away from home was back in 2007, when South Africa were surprised in Port Elizabeth, where Samuels engineered a 128-run victory.But just as West Indies transformation in the Pakistan Tests could not have been predicted, so also is the future progress of this team unpredictable. Consistent selectors and broad-minded administrators in West Indies cricket are just hard to find. ' ' '