NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTSSANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Santa Clara police chief has vowed to continue providing a safe environment at San Francisco home games after the union representing his officers threatened to boycott policing the stadium if the 49ers dont discipline Colin Kaepernick for criticizing police and refusing to stand during the national anthem.Chief Michael Sellers said in a statement that he will urge union leadership to put citizens safety first.Kaepernicks blanket statements disparaging the law enforcement profession are hurtful and do not help bring the country together, Sellers said. As distasteful as his actions are, these actions are protected by the Constitution. Police officers are here to protect the rights of every person, even if we disagree with their position.In a letter sent to the 49ers, the police union complained that Kaepernicks inappropriate behavior has threatened our harmonious working relationship.CHICAGO -- U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before the Seattle Reigns game against the Chicago Red Stars in a little nod to NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.Its the least I can do. Keep the conversation going, Rapinoe tweeted about her actions in protest of racial injustice and minority oppression.Since coming out in 2012, Rapinoe has been a devoted advocate for LGBT rights and has worked with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and other organizations.Rapinoe also has been vocal about pay equity, and was among five national team players who lent their names to a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging wage discrimination. The players claim that members of the team make in some cases up to four times less than their male national team counterparts.SOCCERNEW ORLEANS -- Former U.S. soccer star Lauren Holiday has been diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant, and her husband, New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday, is taking indefinite leave from the NBA club to care for his wife, the Pelicans said.Lauren Holiday retired from soccer last year after helping the U.S. win Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and a FIFA womens World Cup title in 2015.Jrue Holiday has told the Times-Picayune/NOLA.com, which first reported Lauren Holidays condition, that their baby is due in mid-October but could be induced early, and that Lauren will have brain surgery about six weeks later. Pelicans general manager Dell Demps says hes encouraging Jrue Holiday to take as much time away as he needs.SWIMMINGLAUSANNE, Switzerland -- After three top anti-doping advisers to FINA resigned in protest at their advice on Russian cases being ignored ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the world swimming body has expressed surprise at their walkout.FINA responded in a statement that it obviously regrets the resignations by Doping Control Review Board chairman Andrew Pipe of Canada, and two others from the eight-member panel.Though FINA had barred seven Russian swimmers for past positive tests or links to state-backed doping, they were allowed to compete in Rio.Responsibility for those decisions ultimately lay with the IOC and Court of Arbitration for Sport, FINA said.Pipes resignation letter criticized FINA over its handling of the process, the Press Association reported.PRO FOOTBALLLOS ANGELES -- Lena Dunham apologized to New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for making narcissistic assumptions about his motivations in an article published Friday on her website Lenny Letter.In a discussion with Amy Schumer about the most recent Met Gala, Dunham said she was seated near Beckham, who she claimed was looking at his cellphone instead of her because he found her sexually unappealing.Dunham apologized Saturday on her social media accounts, saying she projected her personal insecurities onto the football star and presented them as facts. She said she and Beckham have never met and, after listening to a lot of valid criticism understands that it is wrong to ascribe misogynistic thoughts to a stranger.Beckham has not acknowledged Dunhams original comments or apology on his social media accounts.PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles have traded quarterback Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings for a pair of draft picks.Bradford replaces Teddy Bridgewater, who went down for the season after suffering a gruesome knee injury this week. The Eagles receive a first-round pick in 2017 and a fourth-round pick in 2018.Bradfords departure means backup Chase Daniel will start the season as Philadelphias No. 1 quarterback. Carson Wentz, who was selected with the No. 2 overall pick, missed the last three preseason games after breaking his ribs.COLLEGE FOOTBALLHOUSTON -- Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says he is confident the conferences university presidents will make progress on their exploration of expansion by the time they meet in mid-October.But Bowlsby, speaking before the game between No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 15 Houston at NRG Stadium, had little to say about where the Big 12 stands as it considers adding schools to the 10-team league. Houston is among the schools being considered by the Big 12.A person with direct knowledge of the situation told the AP on Friday the Big 12 had narrowed its candidates to 11 and meetings with those schools would be held next week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the conference is not making its work on expansion public.Bowlsby would not confirm those meetings. The Big 12 announced in July the presidents and chancellors had given Bowlsby the go-ahead to start gathering information on potential candidates for expansion. The conference has said it will consider adding two or four teams, but has not committed to expanding. Slip On Vans Sale . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Wholesale Vans Authentic . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. http://www.cheapoldskoolwholesale.com/wholesale-slip-on-vans.html . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Cheap Vans Old Skool . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Cheap Vans Old Skool For Sale . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Alex Rodriguezs publicist ended speculation that the former New York Yankees slugger might play for another team this season, saying its not happening.Ron Berkowitz issued a statement Monday afternoon, two days after Rodriguez was released by the Yankees.I want to put all this talk to rest about Alex playing for any team this season. Its not happening, Berkowitz said in the statement. Like he said Friday night, he is happy and he is going to take some time to relax and hang with his family and friends.Rodriguez played his final game with the Yankees on Friday night in New York and was released the following morning. The Yankees announced that Rodriguez would move into a role as an adviser and instructor within the organization, but the three-time American League MVP technically is a free agent and can sign with any club.Berkowitz did not indicate whether Rodriguez would consider making a comeback in 2017.The Miami Marlins, Rodriguezs hometown team, acknowledged Sunday that they had considered reaching out to the 41-year-old.But Marlinns president Mike Hill told Fox Sports on Monday that the team ultimately decided not to formally reach out to Rodriguez.ddddddddddddI was under the impression that it would be the end for the season, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. But opportunities arise for people in life that you cant predict. Theres been some situations [in Miami] where theyve had some injuries, and maybe they felt that [Rodriguez] could help. And I dont say this in a bad way, but nothing that Alex does should ever surprise us.Rodriguez, who grew up in South Florida and still lives there, was batting .200 this season, but he had 33 homers and 86 RBIs last season.Rodriguez needs only four homers to become the fourth player to hit 700, and the looming milestone could eventually lure him into continuing his 22-year career. But he hasnt played much in the field since 2013, complicating any role he might have with a National League team. ' ' '