Clan Events » up.Plans to overhaul the sport and make it more exciting

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Colin Kaepernick didnt feel extra nerves, hear the boos or concern himself with the disparaging T-shirts being sold outside the stadium while making his season debut as the 49ers starting quarterback on Sunday.After kneeling during the national anthem to continue his protest against racial oppression and police brutality, Kaepernick said he focused his attention solely on beating Buffalo.I really wasnt listening to what was going on in the stands, Kaepernick said. It felt good to be out there and give my team the opportunity to win.In the end, he and the 49ers (1-5) didnt come close following a 45-16 loss to the Bills (4-2).The offense looked better at times under Kaepernick, but still could not finish drives. That was the same problem the 49ers had with Blaine Gabbert, who was benched this week.Kaepernick went 13 of 29 for 187 yards and a 53-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith. But the 49ers settled for three field goals, twice gave up the ball on downs and punted once on six drives that crossed midfield.I thought he was OK, coach Chip Kelly said in assessing Kaepernicks outing.And Kelly wasnt in a position to commit to who will start next weekend when San Francisco hosts Tampa Bay.Yeah, well see, he said.Kaepernick wasnt ready to say whether hes earned that opportunity either.Thats not for me to say, he said after making his first start in nearly a year. I went out there and played as hard as I could and gave this team everything I had. I will continue to do that every week they let me.Whats not going to change is Kaepernick continuing being the focus of national attention because of the protest he during the preseason.On Sunday, he took his familiar spot in kneeling along the sideline at the 50-yard line, alongside safety Eric Reid and linebacker Eli Harold. Not far to his left were cornerback Rashard Robinson and safety Antoine Bethea, who stood with their right arms raised.Anticipating the protest, fans began chanting USA! USA! USA!Kaepernick said he didnt hear them, but also wondered why his stance was regarded as unpatriotic.I dont understands what is un-American about fighting for liberty and justice for everybody, he said.And he was unfazed upon learning of two T-shirts featuring his image being sold outside New Era Field.One read: Wanted: Notorious Disgrace to America, and featured a picture of Kaepernick throwing a pass and a bullseye aimed at his chest. Another featured a drawing of a kneeling Kaepernick with the words, Shut Up and Stand Up! printed.Like Ive said from the beginning, I knew the consequences of what could come from this and I was prepared for that, said Kaepernick, who arrived at the stadium wearing a T-shirt with Muhammad Ali on it.Kaepernick was heartened to learn a group of about 25 Bills fans held a rally outside the stadium in his support.Protests and performance aside, the 49ers troubles go beyond whos playing quarterback after they dropped their fifth consecutive game.San Franciscos porous defense allowed Buffalos LeSean McCoy-led ground attack 312 yards rushing -- the second-worst total in 49ers history, and 12 short of the franchise-low set against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 9, 1958.That is embarrassing, linebacker Michael Wilhoite said.San Franciscos run defense has now allowed a combined 981 yards and nine touchdowns in its past four games.I think its an every-person issue, Kelly said.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Mike Quick Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Randall Cunningham Eagles Jersey . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. https://www.eaglessportsgoods.com/Womens-Carson-Wentz-Inverted-Jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Dallas Goedert Youth Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. JJ Arcega-Whiteside Womens Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. LONDON -- Whatever controversy is raging in the Olympic world theres one constant: Usain Bolts bravado and self-confidence.Its what is expected from the worlds fastest man and greatest showman.I know the sport needs me to win -- and come out on top, Bolt asserts, assessing the damage caused by the Russian doping scandal that has divided sports leaders.As for his pursuit of a treble Olympic treble next month, Bolt adamantly responds: Im not going to lose one of the golds, for sure.In his last lengthy media appointment before heading to Rio de Janeiro, Bolt spent around two hours over a Jamaican lunch last week in London, discussing his Olympic challenge prospects and the challenges of life.When letting his guard down does Bolt sounded less invincible. Weighing on the Jamaican sprinters mind is the fear of hitting 30 next month, the toll of injuries -- and even being caught up in an extremist attack.It is scary, said Bolt, adopting a rare subdued tone. But if you live scared, you dont live at all. So I try to live my life to the fullest and when its my time, its my time.Bolt recalls being in Munich as news emerged of the truck attack in the French city of Nice on Bastille Day -- July 14 -- that killed 84 people. Munich was itself the scene of bloodshed last week with a teenager shot dead nine people.Bolt usually goes to Munich every three months to visit his doctor, Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.Especially at the start of last year I noticed that injuries take a little bit more time to get back to where you want to be, Bolt said. My coach always tells me that the older you get its going to get harder, and you have to push yourself.But coach Glenn Mills also offered him comforting reassurance Bolt still craves, despite being the 100- and 200-meter world record holder.Bolt remembers Mills telling him dont worry youre a champ at the world championships last year.It was one of the roughest years, Bolt said, explaining how his back issue has really deteriorated over the years.Bolts preparations for the defense of his Olympic titles (100, 200 and 4X100-meter relay) have been far from smooth, with a hamstring injury forcing him out of the Jamaican trials.I always have little doubts in my mind, Bolt said in a restaurant overlooking Londons St. Pauls Cathedral. But Im focused and ready to go.Unlike many of the worlds top golfers, who have snubbed the chance to go to their first Olympics.I guess its not as important to them as it is to us who have been competing over the years, Bolt ssaid.dddddddddddd. It surprised me when I heard that golf was going to be in the Olympics. There are a few sports in the Olympics that make me go `Argh.The Olympics are unquestionably the pinnacle of track and field. But providing the spectacle desired is proving difficult for the men.This year is one of the poorest I have ever seen as an Olympic (field) for men really -- the women have really shown more promise running fast times, Bolt said. (The men) have really unperformed this season, but Im sure when we get to the Olympics it wont be like that.Bolt expects Rio to be his last Olympics, but he still dangles the possibility of a trip to Tokyo.My coach always says `Usain you can always go on to the 2020 Olympics if you want, Bolt said. So this is why he tells me to stop talking about retirement and just take it a year at a time.The power of athletics in attracting big audiences would be more difficult without its global superstar.People always say to me, `Usain when you leave the sport, the sport is going to go down, Bolt said. But Im not going to look at it like that. There are a lot of athletes stepping up.Plans to overhaul the sport and make it more exciting have been sidetracked by the Russian doping scandal.The vast majority of the Russian athletes who will miss the Rio Games are are in track and field, where 67 of its 68 athletes were ruled out when a ban on the Russian team was upheld at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week.Sebastian Coe, head of track and fields governing body, has to deal with that.But Coe is also the man tasked with making track and field more exciting, as Bolt explains.Im assuming Seb Coe has a plan, said Bolt, who advocates more street races. Over time with different ideas, and the athletes that are coming up, the sport will stay current. It will take a while but I think it will get back to its former glory when I walk away.Unless he decides to continue, Bolts glory era is due to end after the 2017 world championships in London.He is absolutely certain he will be greatly missed.In football you have the debate who is the best footballer, but no one can debate who the fastest man in the world is, Bolt said. Its going to be a long time, I think, before somebody comes who will be as talented as me to break my records.---Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports ' ' '