Compiled By NAN Sports Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Jan. 6, 2016: Here are some of the major stories making headlines in Caribbean sports scene this week:
Haitian Roots NFL Star
Haitian-roots Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril the Seahawks’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Every team gets to nominate one player each year. Now, Avril is in the middle of a hashtag challenge and he’s asking for fans to help out.
From now through Sunday, for every person who uses the hashtag #AvrilWPMOYChallenge, Avril will get a vote. If he gets the most votes, he will win $25,000 for his foundation. Avril is having a huge year on the field as he was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He is also giving back to his parents’ homeland. For every sack he records this season, he’s building a home in Haiti.
The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be announced the night before the Super Bowl. The winner will receive a total of $1 million donated in his name, with $500,000 going to a charity that the winner selects and the other $500,000 will be distributed to a good cause across all 32 NFL markets.
The Seahawks will face the Lions on Saturday, January 7th, at 5:15 p.m. PT at Century Link Field.
West Indies Cricket
Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams may become director of cricket for the West Indies. Adams, 49, has reportedly accepted the job according to ESPN, but is currently negotiating some details with the Board and has not yet signed a contract. If he signs on, he will replace Richard Pybus who has been in the position since November 2013.
Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt feels it would be cool to get a cameo in the movie ‘The Flash.’ Asked by MTV if he’d ever consider appearing in a superhero movie, the fastest man alive replied: “Yeah, that’d be pretty cool. Maybe do a cameo in Flash or something.”
Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle has reignited the whole “DontBlushBaby” controversy with a tweet. Gayle who is in St. Kitts for carnival there with his partner, Natasha Berridge, posted a video of him in a suggestive dance with her under the caption: “4th jan officially 1 year anniversary #DontBlushBaby.” He also urged Aussies to “lighten the phuck up!!!”
The controversial interview took place a year ago after a Melbourne Renegades Big Bash League game in which Gayle had just played. During the interview Gayle asked then-Channel 10 host Mel McLaughlin whether she would be interested in getting a drink with him and then said “don’t blush baby” when she became noticeably uncomfortable with his antics.
He was later fined $10,000 over the incident and condemned by Cricket Australia for his comments. Afterwards, Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry formally apologized to McLaughlin in a statement.
