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SALT LAKE CITY — Four more stories from the world of sports in today’s From Left Field.
1. Goal garners 10,000 teddy bears
The Kitchener Rangers lost to the Mississauga Steelheads 5-1 Wednesday, but its lone goal was magic for local charities in the Kitchener, Ontario, area.
For the 22nd year, the Rangers hosted a Teddy Bear Toss game in which fans throw teddy bears onto the ice after the home team’s first goal. Those are then distributed to charities, according to the Rangers.
Check out the moment that it happened.
According to the Rangers, the goal netted 10,527 teddy bears that were thrown onto the ice. That’s impressive, considering the official attendance for the game was only 7,345.
The team said 132,271 stuffed animals have been donated in the 22 years it has hosted the event.
2. Saban not a fan of live painting performance
Nick Saban doesn’t come across as the type of person who likes to mess around. He’d probably rather remain preparing for No. 4 Washington when the College Football Playoff begins Dec. 31.
He’s also dealing with questions with the possible departure of his offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, as well as two of his quarterbacks, so there’s a lot on the plate.
During Thursday’s "College Football Award Show," the camera panned on him during a section where a man live painted a portrait of legendary college football coach Steve Spurrier for a segment and Saban didn’t seem all too impressed — and the internet noticed.
Yep, it’s probably safe to say Saban would rather be out on the field coaching.
3. Boxer tosses table during press conference
In some cases, pre-fight press conferences have been better than the actual fight. The jury is still out in the upcoming fight between Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte, but the fight will have to match the expectations of one heck of a press conference Wednesday.
After a heated press conference full of profane insults hurled at each other, Chisora picked up a portion of the press table and tossed it in Whyte’s direction, promptly ending the presser as security held Chisora back.
The two were slated to fight for the British heavyweight title, but according to the BBC, Chisora was given a two-year suspension from that association and a £25,000 fine — as well as another £5,000 in costs. However, the fight will still happen Saturday, and will remain a WBC world heavyweight elimination fight.
It’ll be interesting how the fight matches up after that press conference.
4. Fallon dishes out superlatives to BYU, SUU alums
It’s pretty much a tradition that Jimmy Fallon reads off NFL superlatives on “The Tonight Show” before NBC airs a game. On Wednesday, former SUU defensive end James Cowser and ex-BYU safety Daniel Sorensen were the butt of a few jokes.
Cowser, an undrafted free agent rookie who was promoted from the Oakland Raiders' practice squad three weeks ago, was the first to receive his honor.
Sorensen, in his third year with Kansas City Chiefs, came moments later.
In the end, the Chiefs, led partly by Utah alum Alex Smith, won the game 21-13. Sorensen co-led Kansas City's defense with eight tackles.
Cowser finished the game with one tackle and a fumble recovery for the Raiders.