Sean Dempster

We present our favorite photos of the past sports week.

This week’s offerings include Aussie Rules Football players playing the surf as part of a recovery session, a Chipper Jones sighting, diving from Fort Lauderdale, NFL minicamps, track and field and triathlon.

Click image for larger, full-sized view:

Photo 1: Stephen Milne, Terry Milera and Ahmed Saad walk out of the water during a St Kilda Saints AFL recovery session at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney-Getty Images)

Photo 2: Rhys Stanley of the Saints walks out of the water during the recovery session. (Photo by Quinn Rooney-Getty Images)

Photo 3: Sean Dempster of the Saints walks out of the water during the recovery session. (Photo by Quinn Rooney-Getty Images)

Photo 4: Ahmed Saad and Terry Milera of the Saints splash each other in the water during the recovery session. (Photo by Quinn Rooney-Getty Images)

Photo 5: Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (10) celebrates scoring a run against the Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field.  (Photo by Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 6: St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) celebrates after left fielder Matt Holliday (7) scores the game winning run on a single in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 7: Jorge Lopez reacts after weighing in for his UFC fight against Amir Sadollah. (Photo by Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 8: Steele Johnson and Dashiell Enos (USA) dive during the men’s platform finals of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix at the Hall Of Fame Aquatics Center in Fort Lauderdale. ( Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 9: Ryan Hawkins and Logan Shinholder (USA) dive during the mens platform finals of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix (Photo by  Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 10: Rueben Ross (Canada) dives in the mens springboard finals of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix. (Photo by  Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 11: Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman speaks to the media during minicamp at Broncos headquarters. (Photo by Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 12: Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen (USA) dive during the synchronized mens springboard finals of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix. (Photo by Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 13: Thomas Finchum (USA) during the mens platform finals of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix (Photo by Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 14: Manuel Huerta (USA) celebrates as he crosses the finish line with a time of 1:49:31 and a ninth place finish to qualify for the Olympics in the men’s elite race of the ITU World Championship Series at Mission Bay Park in San Diego. (Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 15: Jonathan Brownlee (Britain) crosses the finish line with a time of 1:48:46 to win the men’s elite race of the ITU World Championship Series. (Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 16: Nick Ross of Arizona places third in the long jump in the 2012 Pac-12 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 17: Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly stretches during the afternoon workout session at the team’s minicamp. (Photo by Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 18: Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) is interviewed during rookie training camp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. (Photo by Eric P. Mull-USPRESSWIRE)

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King was introduced to the crowd as “one of America’s greatest sports icons and social justice pioneers.” She didn’t throw from the mound, but still showed nice form:

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9

We present our favorite photos of the past sports week.

This week’s offerings include Canada Cup diving, the NCAA men’s volleyball championships, world rowing, mixed martial arts, NFL minicamps and the funky hair of Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.

Click image for larger, full-sized view (and that image for the largest view):

Photo 1: Jesper Tolvers and Christofer Erskilsson (Sweden) in the men’s 10m synchro diving event at the Canada Cup in Montreal. (Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 2: Francois Imbeau-Dulac (Canada) during the men’s 3m final of the Canada Cup (Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 3: Jose Guerra (Cuba) during one of his dives at the Canada Cup. (Photo by   Jean-Yves Ahern-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 4: Michael Hixon and David Bonuchi (USA) during one of their dives at the Canada Cup. (Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 5: Alexandre Despatie (Canada) during the men’s 3m final of the Canada Cup. (Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 6: Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks (64) is welcomed to home plate by designated hitter David Ortiz (34) after hitting a grand slam against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. (Photo by Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 7: UC Irvine Anteaters opposite hitter Carson Clark (9) and middle blocker Kevin McDonnell (5) react during the 2012 NCAA volleyball championship against the Southern California Trojans at the Galen Center. UCI defeated USC 25-22, 34-32, 26-24. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PREsSSWIRE)

Photo 8: UC Irvine Anteaters middle blocker Scott Kevorken (11) and setter Chris Austin (3) react during the 2012 NCAA volleyball championship. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 9: Dennis Bermudez (top) fights Pablo Garza in a featherweight bout during UFC on Fox 3 at the Izod Center in Easy Rutherford, N.J. Dennis Bermudez won by unanimous decision in third round. (Photo by Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 10: USA; John Hathaway (right) fights Pascal Krauss in their welterweight bout against Pascal Krauss during UFC on Fox 3 at the Izod Center. John Hathaway won by unanimous decision in the third round. (Photo by Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 11: Stergios Papachristos, Ioannis Tsilis, Georgios Tziallas and Ioannis Christou of Greece in the Men’s four during Day 1 of the 2012 Samsung World Rowing Cup III  in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic-Getty Images)

Photo 12: Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist of Austria in the Lightweight men’s double Skulls during Day 1 of the 2012 Samsung World Rowing Cup III in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Photo 13: Are Strandli and Kristoffer Brun of Norway reacts in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls during Day 2 of the 2012 Samsung World Rowing Cup III  in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic-Getty Images)

Photo 14: Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) in the dugout during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. This is for Holly from Twitter after her special request. (Photo by Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 15: Indianapolis Colts tight ends Coby Fleener (80) and Dwayne Allen (83) run during minicamp. (Photo by Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 16: Cincinnati Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs (6) slides into third base against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. (Photo by Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

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Video below. 

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Jeff Karstens (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE)

The Pittsburgh Pirates released an It Gets Better video last Friday before a home game at PNC Park that was designated youth night for the Pittsburgh Gay and Lesbian Community Center. The video was not just a one-off — the team is committed to fight bullying. From local activist Sue Kerr, who started the petition to get the video made:

There’s so much more. The Pirates are teaming up with the GLCC and GLSEN Pittsburgh for an ongoing effort to educate about bullying. They [hosted] the ENTIRE youth program for this premiere night including families and siblings. I can’t even describe it now except to assure you that no other professional sports team has gone this far to reach out to LGBTQ youth. I am so proud to be from Pittsburgh.

This is way cool and shows a commitment beyond a video, which the Pirates addressed:

Pirates President Frank Coonelly said bullying can’t be tolerated. “We feel it is important to get the message out that there is no place in our society for bullying anyone for any reason,” he said. “The organization is pleased to utilize our resources to help call attention to this subject and to encourage those that have been a victim of bullying to come forward and seek help.”

The video features Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle and pitchers Joel Hanrahan and Jeff Karstens and does mention LGBT teens specifically, which some videos do not.

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Brandon McCarthy (Photo by Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE)

The Oakland A’s have joined the list of Major League Baseball teams who have produced videos for the It Gets Better campaign. Though the A’s video, aimed at teens who are being bullied, does not mention sexual orientation, one of the players featured is Brandon McCarthy, an outspoken supporter of gay rights.

“I’m glad the A’s were on board in helping get this out there, because we definitely wanted to get this off the ground,” McCarthy told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Also in the video are pitcher Dallas Braden, second baseman Jemile Weeks and stadium in-game host Kara Tsuboi.

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Deadspin has compiled a “best of” tweets, but a short version: Williams wonders why there are so many gay people, fearing that “if everybody decided to be gay then the human population will be extinct.” He then calls gays an abomination based on the Bible, and says seeing “bold acts of gayness in public” offends him like seeing someone smoke crack. Oh, and he’s sorry if he offended anyone.

Here is Williams getting into a “discussion” with someone calling him out on his homophobia:

Williams first asked “Why are there so many gay n***** these days?” then changed it to people. In a story last year on Williams (then a Minnesota Twins prospect), one baseball scout called him “just a good human being.” It was not an April Fool’s story.

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1

We present our favorite photos of the past sports week.

This week’s offerings include baseball and soccer celebrations, college football in the spring, the NBA, fencing, Olympic trials kayaking, swimming and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Click image for larger view (and on that image for an even larger view):

Photo 1: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring a goal during a match against Real Sporting de Gijon in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle-Getty Images)

Photo 2: John Hastings during his second K1 run at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 3: Jeff Spear in between bouts at the Division I National Fencing Championships in Virginia Beach (Photo by Peter Casey-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 4: Australian swimmer Mitch Larkin poses during an Olympics portrait session in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts-Getty Images)

Photo 5: Australian swimmer Mitch Larkin poses during an Olympics portrait session in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts-Getty Images)

Photo 6: Miami Marlins catcher Brett Hayes (9) makes a play against the Chicago Cubs (Photo by Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 7: Craig Beattie of the Hearts celebrates after scoring a penalty during The William Hill Scottish Cup semifinal soccer match between Celtic and Hearts in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell-Getty Images)

Photo 8: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) battles with Los Angeles Clippers forwards Caron Butler (5) and Blake Griffin (32) (Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 9: Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker speaks to the media following the team’s offseason workout (Photo by Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 10: Stanford Cardinal quarterback Josh Nunes at the cardinal and white spring game at Kezar Stadium (Photo by Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 11: New York Mets third baseman David Wright during batting practice prior to playing the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 12: Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo by Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE)

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This week’s offerings include baseball’s opening day, college basketball, track and field, Aussie Rules Football, swimming and soccer.

Click image for larger view:

Photo 1: Brad Green (L) jokes with Aaron Davey during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hamish Blair-Getty Images)

Photo 2: Baylor Bears center Brittney Griner cuts the net after leading her team to the 2012 NCAA women’s basketball title in Denver. (Photo by Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 3: New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis (1) attempts to block a shot by Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) during an MLS game. (Photo by Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 4: Trey Hardee of the Texas Longhorns celebrates winning the decathlon at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 5: Michael Phelps celebrates winning the men’s 400 meter individual medley at the Indianapolis Grand Prix. (Photo by: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 6: Michael Frater of Jamaica jumps out of the starting blocks during a training session ahead of a meet in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell-Getty Images)

Photo 7: Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon reacts after securing the final out against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball season opener for both teams. (Photo by Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 8: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders Jerry Hairston Jr. (6), Matt Kemp (center) and Andre Ethier celebrate the team’s opening day win in San Diego. (Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE)

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I have zero problem with any of these pics. Cross-dressing is a must for rookie-hazing…or halloween for that matter. Speedos are a must, well no where, except for an Olympic swimming pool, but I still have no problem with you rockin’ ‘em. If you got it, flaunt it.

The blog In The Game also notes what a romantic Street is (either that or he watches too much of “The Bachelor”):

When he proposed to his girlfriend 4 years ago, he did so in a room filled with 1,500 red roses. He was just 23 at the time, but said “If I’ve found the right person, why wait? To find someone I like more? No. That’s not going to happen.”

Swimsuit pic here, check out Lobshots for the others:

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