Kommandozentrale » When Bridgewater takes the field for his first game

TSNs Aaron Ward explores changing attitudes towards homosexuality in professional sports in the three-part TSN Original feature series ReOrientation, premiering tonight through Friday at 6pm et on SportsCentre. Powered by SportsCentre, ReOrientation is hosted by the NHL on TSN hockey analyst and 13-year NHL veteran and is directed by Gemini Award-winning TSN Feature Producer Michael Farrell. "Ive spent years focusing primarily on breaking down what happens on the ice, so this series is something of a departure for me, but we believe the issues of homophobia and the culture of sport need to be examined and discussed," said Ward. "We knew the series would reveal some compelling insights, and I know I took away a lot from it personally. I hope viewers will be able to do the same." ReOrientation takes a sobering look at the pervasive culture of casual homophobia that is common in the locker rooms of professional sports, and reveals the struggles of gay athletes to find acceptance. The series tells the stories of former NFL defensive tackle Esera Tuaolo, who struggled to hide his sexual orientation throughout his nine-year pro football career, and MLS midfielder Robbie Rogers, who in 2013 became the first openly gay man to compete in an elite North American sports league. Ward also conducts interviews with a several NHL players, including Edmonton Oilers captain Andrew Ference, Los Angeles Kings captain and Stanley Cup champion Dustin Brown, Kings goalie Ben Scrivens, as well as league commissioner Gary Bettman, in order to examine changing attitudes in NHL locker rooms, as well as the impact made by the NHLs partnership with social advocacy organization You Can Play. With the ongoing controversy over gay rights in Russia causing global scrutiny ahead of the upcoming Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, ReOrientation charts the progress of professional sports culture as it slowly inches ever closer to equality. ReOrientation will be available for streaming on TSN Digital platforms after each of the series three parts appears on SportsCentre. Once it airs, you can visit TSN.ca/ReOrientation to watch the series in its entirety, alongside a slate of bonus clips with interview subjects. ReOrientation appears in every episode of SportsCentre from Wednesday through Friday, with each part premiering in the 6pm et edition. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/ . The Leafs were back on the ice Wednesday following an 10-day break. It apparently wasnt long enough, as Team Canadas 2-1 win over Latvia didnt conclude before the Leafs began practice. "I was thinking we might get a little delay, but it was nice to get out there," said Tyler Bozak of watching Wednesdays game. Nike NFL Jerseys China . The same cant be said of last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium against a very weakened New York Red Bulls side and one which had three stalwarts in Henry, Cahill and Olave back home in Harrison, NJ. Cheap NFL Jerseys China .S. - Nova Scotias Mary Fay guaranteed at least one more match and a shot at the Canadian junior curling championships final on home ice.EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - From the moment the Minnesota Vikings traded back into the first round to take Teddy Bridgewater, it was only a matter of time before he took over as the teams starting quarterback. When Bridgewater makes his first start on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, he will be in line for something even bigger a€” the new face of the franchise. With Adrian Peterson away from the team while he faces child abuse charges, the Vikings are searching for a new identity while the chaos from Petersons legal troubles and injuries to several high-profile players threaten to derail the team less than a month into the season. In steps Bridgewater, the unflappable rookie, and all he has to do is pull the Vikings out of a spiral and step into the void left by Petersons departure. No pressure, Teddy. Its no pressure on me and its not all about me, Bridgewater said Wednesday. It takes a team effort to win football games and we have 11 guys on defence who are going to play their tails off. We have 11 guys on special teams and 10 other guys on the offensive side of the ball that are going to be out there competing for one another. Theres no pressure for me to have to fill the needs or anything. ... Its just all about the team. With quarterback Matt Cassel lost for the season with a foot injury and Peterson out indefinitely while the legal process plays out, the Vikings have become Teddys team much faster than anyone expected. The Vikings traded back into the first round on the opening night of the draft to snag Bridgewater in hopes that he could finally become the long-term answer at quarterback the team has been searching for ever since Daunte Culpepper went down with a knee injury in 2005. Peterson was expected to continue to be the teams star player for at least another season or two, providing a cocoon for the young quarterback while he got his feet underneath him. That all changed two weeks ago with Petersons stunning arrest in a child-abuse charge in Texas. Ready or not, its Teddy Time in Minnesota. Honestly, coach Mike Zimmer said, I think hes been ready since the day he walked in. The Vikings started the season with the veteran Cassel, hoping to ease Bridgewaters transition and give him some time to get acclimated to NFL life. While Cassel was running with the starters, Bridgewater distinguished himself by not diistinguishing himself at all.dddddddddddd Earlier on draft night, Minnesota attempted to trade up to No. 22 to grab Johnny Manziel, the flamboyant Texas A&M quarterback. But Cleveland outbid the Vikings, who then set their sights on Bridgewater. While Manziel has drawn headlines for his party-hearty lifestyle off the field, Bridgewater has been whisper quiet in the meeting rooms and sound bite-proof in his interactions with the media. He doesnt really get overwhelmed, fullback Jerome Felton said. He works hard. Hes humble. He comes prepared. So I think thats the biggest thing. He prepares himself well. Hes in here early, leaves late, so hell be just fine. Bridgewater stepped in for the injured Cassel on Sunday and completed 12 of 20 passes for 150 yards against a New Orleans defence that played the pass very aggressively with Peterson gone. The offence didnt score a touchdown with him in the game, but his ability to handle the heat carried over from his turns in the huddle during the preseason. I remember the first preseason game I asked Teddy whether he was nervous or not and of course he said no. And I thought, you know, hes just a liar, backup quarterback Christian Ponder said. But the guy doesnt get nervous. The guy has a ton of poise and played extremely well. I expect that to continue the next game and so on. When Bridgewater takes the field for his first game as a starter on Sunday against Atlanta (2-1), he wont have Peterson to take his handoffs. He wont have tight end Kyle Rudolph, who will miss about six weeks after having sports hernia surgery, to catch his passes and he wont have starting right guard Brandon Fusco, who is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, to block for him. He also wont have a big entourage in the stands. Bridgewater said earlier this season a€” while he was still Cassels backup a€” he put six people, including his mother, girlfriend and agent, on a list to watch the game. Now that hes starting, the number hasnt changed. I gave myself a moment Monday morning, Bridgewater said. I woke up and told myself, Hey, your dream is finally here and its coming true. Its not the way that I wanted it to happen, but Im still going to have to take advantage of this opportunity. Its one thing to be named the guy, but for me I want to continue to just be the guy for a long time. ' ' '