Florida Sentinel Bulletin

In a curious case that is still unfolding, a Pittsburgh man was arrested last Thursday on charges he attempted to extort money from former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.

Joshua Van Auker, 26, got himself on the radar of the Allegheny County district attorney’s office after sending a text message to Ward’s personal assistant, Raymond Burgess, Jr., with an ominous threat which had aims of ruining the four-time Pro Bowler’s image and reputation.

A criminal complaint written by investigators read that Van Auker was, “alleging that Ward committed the criminal offense of paying women for s-x, and thereby exposing Ward to ridicule or contempt.

Everyone knows that the Baltimore Ravens legendary linebacker, Ray Lewis, played his high school football at Lakeland Kathleen before going on to the University of Miami.

So, no one should be surprised that after the 2010 NFL draft, Lewis would notice a young free agent trying out for the team who just happened to also be a product of Lakeland Kathleen. No one knows for sure what role Lewis played, but the Ravens signed Albert McClellan to a contract as an undrafted free agent. Another talent McClellan shares with the Hall of Famer Lewis, is he also is a linebacker.

McClellan played his college football at Marshall University, and in 2006, was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. McClellan was a three-time All-Conference USA selection at Marshall. He redshirted in2007 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season. That injury sidelined him for a year.

McClellan played as the fourth string middle linebacker behind Lewis, Jameel McClain, and Danell Ellerbe, but saw more playing time due to injuries. With an injury to Terrell Suggs, McClellan had a chance to compete for a starting outside linebacker spot.

McClellan got the start and has started 3 games so far.

MINNEAPOLIS — Seimone Augustus has always preferred to stay out of the public eye even as her basketball career has taken her to the heights of an Olympic gold medal and a WNBA championship.

With her adopted home state of Minnesota considering a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, the Lynx star is now becoming a vocal proponent of equal rights for gays. After all, she has her own wedding coming up, to longtime girlfriend LaTaya Varner.

“I felt like it was the perfect time for me, being on a platform where I can make a change with my voice and my situation.” “Maybe inspire someone else to come out and be comfortable with themselves. Or maybe someone else’s parents will see my parents saying that it’s OK to be with your child and love your child unconditionally regardless of your sexual preference.”

Pictured: Minnesota Lynx WNBA basketball star and Olympic gold medalist Seimone Augustus talks about her relationship and engagement to LaTaya Varner.

It’s been more than fifteen years since Evander Holyfield’s infamous ‘bite fight’ with fellow heavyweight Mike Tyson. Since then Holyfield’s boxing career hasn’t had many memorable moments. Monday night, the now almost 50-year-old Holyfield told  Sports Illustrated he’s finally had enough.

OWINGS MILLS, MD — Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the remainder of the season with an arm injury, an enormous blow to an already depleted defense that has uncharacteristically struggled this year.

Lewis tore his right triceps during Sunday’s 31-29 victory over Dallas. Cornerback Lardarius Webb also is out for the year after ripping the ACL in his left knee in the win against the Cowboys. Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed Monday both are done for the year.

The 37-year-old Lewis leads Baltimore in tackles and is the voice of experience in the huddle. He’s been invited to 13 Pro Bowls and is a two-time NFL defensive player of the year.

WACO, TX — Brittney Griner watched the Olympics and wished she was there. Thanks to the WNBA draft lottery, she might know where she’s going.

Before Rio in 2016, or even getting started in the pros next summer, there is still the senior season with the Lady Bears for the fun-loving All-American who can dunk and broke her right wrist in a longboarding accident this summer.

Baylor is coming off the NCAA’s first 40-win season and returns every starter from its undefeated national championship team. The accident on the elongated skateboard came after Griner had already removed herself from consideration for the 12th and final spot on the U.S. women’s basketball team that won gold at the London Olympics. She almost certainly would have been part of the team, but didn’t participate because of summer school classes she had to take and the ill health of her mother.

“She’s OK. Ups and downs, but she’s all right,” Griner said, but not wanting to elaborate.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came alive Sunday at home, thrashing the Kansas City Chiefs 38-10. Some fans might say, well that was the Chiefs, but a 28-point victory is good no matter who the opponent is.

Coming off a bye week, the Buccaneer offense came to life with Josh Freeman completing 15 of 26 pass attempts for 328 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The Buc ground game also came to life with first-round pick Doug Martin recording 76 yards on 13 carries, and LeGarrett Blount recording 58 yards on 7 carries, and scoring a touchdown. Wide receivers Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson had a great day, with Williams catching 4 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, and Jackson catching 4 balls for 66 yards and 2 scores.

The Buccaneer defense maintained its stellar performance during the 3-game losing streak, and made life miserable for Brady Quinn. The Bucs led 14-3 at halftime, and at the end of the third quarter, they had the game firmly in control with a 21-3 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Bucs added on 17 additional points while holding the Chiefs to one touchdown for the game.

Next up for the Bucs will be a home game against their NFC South Division foe, the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs are now 2-3 and in second place behind the undefeated Atlanta Falcons.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has avoided league discipline for a possible violation of the personal conduct policy following criminal charges he had faced in his home state of Texas.

The National Football League caught up to Talib on Saturday, though, announcing that the fifth-year cornerback had been suspended for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Talib decided not to file an appeal and began his suspension on Sunday. Talib will be eligible to return on Nov. 5, keeping him out of games against the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders.

Talib’s suspension is without pay, which means he will forfeit $435,882, which is 4/17ths of his $1,852,500 base salary for the 2012 season. Talib is also ineligible for postseason awards, including participation in the Pro Bowl.

NEW YORK — Delirious only minutes earlier, fans at Yankee Stadium sat stunned in utter disbelief while they watched Derek Jeter being helped off the field, his left leg dangling.

Their worst fears were met, too. The durable captain broke his left ankle in the 12th inning of the AL championship series opener Saturday night and is out for the rest of the postseason. “It’s kind of crushing,” outfielder Nick Swisher said.

Three innings after Raul Ibanez sent the 47,122 in Yankee Stadium into a frenzy with a tying two-run homer, the New York shortstop silenced the crowd when he went down and didn’t get up after making a tumbling stop on Jhonny Peralta’s grounder.