(Disclaimer: This is not a sports story. Occasionally you hear news that tugs the heartstrings and leaves yourself compelled to try and help. For me, this is one of those times.)
Roughly a year ago, then six-year old Stella Usiak found herself in a charitable mood. The pint-sized Girl Scout didn’t donate profits earned from selling cookies or contribute her modest allowance to any cause. Instead, Stella provided what many would regard as more meaningful. She gave the gift of her hair following one of her first visits to a salon to the “Locks Of Love” organization. It was an offering to other kids who’ve lost their own because of diseases.
Quite ironically and to be more direct, sadly, 12 months was at all it took for young Stella to lose her own hair— and this time it wasn’t of the voluntary nature.
On March 2, 2011 at the tender age of just seven, Stella was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.), which is the most common type of cancer among children between the ages of one to seven. A.L.L. is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood that severely affects white blood cells and the human immune system.
This past April the Buffalo Bills had four selections within the first 100 picks of the draft for the seventh time in franchise history. They used the picks on Marcell Dareus, Aaron Williams, Kelvin Sheppard and Da’Norris Searcy respectively.
Did you know that it was only two years ago in 2009 that Buffalo also had four picks within the top 100? Actually they got four of the first 51 guys off the board after taking Aaron Maybin, Eric Wood, Jarius Byrd and Andy Levitre. Despite Maybin looking like a colossal bust after two seasons, the other three selections from ‘09 have quickly transformed into reliable starters.
The other times the Bills found themselves with this many pick among the first 100 was 2002, 2001, 1995, 1994 and 1990. The 2001 draft actually saw them with five selections in the top 100 while ‘94 produced a team-record six among the top 100.
No one would blame Buffalo Bills linebacker Andra Davis if he were a tad reluctant to share his knowledge of professional football with a budding rookie who someday, perhaps sooner than later, will take his job. After 10 seasons in the NFL, including missing the final 10 games of last season with a shoulder injury in his first season in Buffalo, Davis is far closer to being out of the league than he is from being in his prime.
Fortunately for Kelvin Sheppard, the consummate team player paying it forward with his know-how and words of wisdom to the Bills third-round rookie linebacker — and he’s glad to do it.
Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News has a tremendous article about Davis and fellow veteran linebacker Reggie Torbor doing all they can to make the pro transition easier for Sheppard. Many Bills veterans convened last week in Elma for player organized workouts and Sheppard was one of three rookies in attendance for team bonding activities along with fellow draft picks Marcell Dareus and Da’Norris Searcy.
Folks of Western New York who enjoy ice skating, particularly those who play ice hockey, will consider this good news. In a report by Adam Benigni of WGRZ-TV, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced new management agreements for rinks owned by the city; which consist of Lafayette, Cazenovia and Riverside ice rinks.
Brown said in a press conference that the North Buffalo Bison Hockey Association and Hasek’s Heroes, with the support of the Buffalo Sabres, have been awarded the managerial rights. Bisons Hockey will manage Lafayette while Hasek’s Heroes will manage Riverside and Cazenovia. It was also announced that the Sabres Foundation will donate $100,000 for infrastructure upgrades at the Cazenovia and Riverside sites.
Benigni also reports that Mayor Brown said there will be an increase in public skating hours at each rink.
Here is the video of the announcement, courtesy of WGRZ-TV.
Adam Schein of Fox Sports labels the Buffalo Bills as the worst franchise in the NFL headed into the 2011 season. In his article, Schein says “I feel so terrible for the amazing and diehard Bills fans.” Ouch.
Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News is reporting that David Nelson is growing into his role as a receiver for the Buffalo Bills. Nelson has added between 10-15 pounds to his frame.
Speaking of Nelson, he spoke with Buffalo Rumblings about the rebuilding efforts going on in Joplin, Missouri following ravaging tornadoes.
Someone is going to pay dearly for free agent Brad Richards when the shopping season begins July 1. Could it be the Buffalo Sabres? Scott Michalak of SabresNation.com takes a look.
If you’ve been paying attention at all to sports news over the past few weeks, you’ve heard about the controversy surrounding the Ohio State football program these days: numerous NCAA violations, coach Jim Tressel being forced to resign, etc.
We won’t get into all the details surrounding Ohio State’s problems – not our role. But this could affect the Bills in one way: what if star quarterback Terrelle Pryor is completely ineligible after all this shakes out? Could he decide to apply for the supplemental draft?
Pryor, already suspended for the first five games of 2012 for violating NCAA rules, hasn’t shown much interest in following rules since then. Recently, he reportedly drove to a press conference in his car. No big deal, right? Except for the fact that Pryor arrived in the eighth new car he’s had since he arrived in Columbus. And this car’s no rust-bucket.
(Disclaimer: This is not a sports story. Occasionally you hear news that tugs the heartstrings and leaves yourself compelled to try and help. For me, this is one of those times.)
This past April the Buffalo Bills had four selections within the first 100 picks of the draft for the seventh time in franchise history. They used the picks on Marcell Dareus, Aaron Williams, Kelvin Sheppard and Da’Norris Searcy respectively.
No one would blame Buffalo Bills linebacker Andra Davis if he were a tad reluctant to share his knowledge of professional football with a budding rookie who someday, perhaps sooner than later, will take his job. After 10 seasons in the NFL, including missing the final 10 games of last season with a shoulder injury in his first season in Buffalo, Davis is far closer to being out of the league than he is from being in his prime.
Adam Schein of Fox Sports labels the Buffalo Bills as the 
If you’ve been paying attention at all to sports news over the past few weeks, you’ve heard about the controversy surrounding the Ohio State football program these days: numerous NCAA violations, coach Jim Tressel being forced to resign, etc.
