'Fearless' LDS Football Player Heap Chosen in First Round

Arizona State tight end Todd Heap was chosen in the first round of the NFL draft this past weekend by the Superbowl champion Baltimore Ravens, giving Heap exactly what he wanted -- a chance to play on a winning team. "Who wouldn't want to be here?" Heap said at a news conference after he arrived at the Raven's complex in Owings Mills, Maryland. "I've been playing for ASU for the last two years and .500 ball is not my style. I want to win."

'Mr. Irrelevant' Strives to be Anything But

Saying that line usually comes much later in a professional football player's career -- generally after making the team, after the team wins the Super Bowl, and even after being chosen Most Valuable Player of the game. But Tevita Ofahengaue could have said the line on Sunday, after being chosen in the NFL draft's last round, as its very last pick. That position earns him the title "Mr. Irrelevant" and the right to reply, if asked what he'll do next, "I'm going to Disneyland!"

Ward's Comments Recall, Lead to Erroneous Statements on Mormons

In the wake of "anti-Semitic" comments by the New York Knicks' Charlie Ward, several sports columnists at newspapers across the nation recalled that then-Chicago Bulls player Dennis Rodman made disparaging remarks about Mormons. But the incident also drew comments that drew on Mormon stereotypes and showed ignorance of Mormon beliefs.

Murphy Missionary Talk Makes Local Paper

The National League's Most Valuable Player in 1982 and 1983, Dale Murphy, again traded in his baseball uniform for one of dark suits, white shirts and ties that he shared with 600 Mormon missionaries he served with during a three-year assignment as Mission President in Boston. Murphy recently took a two-day trip to Oklahoma where he and his wife, Nancy, spoke of their experience while on their mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They spoke to the missionaries and longtime friends, Jim and Tammy Engebretsen, where Jim is serving as the President of the Oklahoma Mission.

Sports: NFL Draft Nabs 3, NHL Player Identified, 5 Possible in WUSA

At least three Mormon football players were drafted into the National Football League this past weekend and several others signed as free agents soon after as the teams looked for players that might be good backup players. Drafted were Arizona State's Todd Heap and BYU's Owen Pochman and Tevita Ofahengaue, who had the distinction of being chosen last in the draft and named "Mr. Irrelevant." Meanwhile, Mormon News' sources identified the NHL Minnesota Wild's Aaron Gavey as an LDS Church member. Research also indicates that five players in the new WUSA may also be Mormon.

BYU's Jackson Named USATF Athlete of the Week

Elizabeth Jackson has been named USA Track and Field's Athlete of the Week posting a world-leading time of 9 minutes, 59.50 seconds in the women's 3,000m steeplechase at the Pomona Invitational.

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