The original “LT“, NFL superstar Lawrence Taylor, has been arrested for rape in New York today.
Police picked up the Hall of Famer after he was accused of raping a 15 year old girl at a Holiday Inn in Montebello, NY this morning. LT’s lawyer, Kenneth Gribetz says that Taylor is “adamant that he is not guilty”.
Reports say that the alleged victim was a 15 year old runaway from the Bronx who was taken to the hotel by a pimp.
Ramapo Police supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence said:
“She was a runaway since March and there was a pimp involved. She got punched in the face. We’re not sure who did it.â€
A news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern, where police will discuss the charges. Taylor is being charged with third-degree rape because the alleged victim is a minor.
TMZ has reported that a condom and “other physical evidence” was discovered when LT was found sleeping in the hotel room this morning. More as this story develops…
UPDATE: During the press conference, police have said that the girl is 16, not 15. They claim that LT paid $300 to have sex with the girl, and has been charged with statutory rape. If convicted, Taylor could be facing up to four years in prison. The accuser did have visible injuries to her face, but police say that LT did not attack her. Police also say that Taylor, 51, was “very cooperative” during the arrest.
UPDATE: The judge just set LT’s bail at $75,000… which I’m guessing he can afford. He also ordered a six month order of protection against Taylor for the unnamed (initials are C.F.) 16 year old, so LT can’t be anywhere near the chick. I doubt he was planning on taking her to lunch, anyway. LT is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday, June 10.
Source: Lawrence Taylor Arrested After Rape Allegation [NY Times]
Popularity: unranked [?]
I really wish I kept up playing football, or soccer as some people like to call, when I was younger because here is a list of the 20 most payed players in the world and it makes me incredibly jealous.
20. Raul Gonzalez (Earnings: $10 million / 7 million euros / 6 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Adidas
The veteran forward is the all-time high goal scorer for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. He was awarded a contract for life from Real that will be renewed automatically every year as long as he plays 30 games per season.
19. Karim Benzema (Earnings: $10 million / 7 million euros / 6 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Adidas
Manchester United is said to be on the prowl for this French striker, who just joined Real from French club Lyon in July 2009.
18. Daniel Alves (Earnings: $10 million / 7 million euros / 6 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Nike
Endorsements are few and far between for this Brazilian right back, who joined Barca in 2008 as one of the most expensive defenders in history.
17. Carlos Tevez (Earnings: $10 million / 7 million euros / 6 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Nike
The Argentine is having a career high goal-scoring season with Man City (22 goals in 30 games and counting), after transferring from crosstown rival Man United in July 2009, one of Man City’s many high-priced acquisitions last year.
16. Michael Ballack (Earnings: $11 million / 8 million euros / 7 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Adidas
The German national captain has a streak going: since June 2005, Germany has never lost a match when he has scored. Rumors have swirled the past year that he will leave Chelsea at the end of this season and return to Germany to finish out his playing career.
15. Francesco Totti (Earnings: $11 million / 8 million euros / 7 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Diadora, Pepsi
The one-club man is also Roma’s No. 1 goal-scorer and most capped player in its history. But he is taking his loyalty to another level: When he retires after his five-year contract expires in June 2014, Totti will become a director of the club.
14. Rio Ferdinand (Earnings: $11 million / 8 million euros / 7 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Nike, Ben Sherman
The newly named England national captain has recently stated he wants a renewed contract with Man United–one that will keep him there for life.
13. Fabio Cannavaro (Earnings: $12 million / 9 million euros / 7 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Nike, Pepsi, Sting, Dolce & Gabbanna
The all-time most capped player of the Italian national team’s future is up in the air as he has been rumored to be heading back to Napoli after his brief return to Juve last summer. However, a management position may keep him with The Old Lady.
12. Samuel Eto’o (Earnings: $13 million / 10 million euros / 8 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Puma
A late bloomer, Eto’o has become a prolific scorer for his clubs, his country and his continent. As Cameroon’s captain, he scored in the World Cup qualification match against Morocco to win Cameroon a spot in the FIFA 2010 World Cup
11. Wayne Rooney (Earnings: $15 million / 11 million euros / 9 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Nike, Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Nokia, Harper-Collins
Rooney’s recently suffered an ankle injury–something that frightens both Manchester United, where he’s stepped up in absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, and England’s national team. If he regains his form and England has a good showing at the World Cup, he’s considered one of the top contenders to capitalize on endorsement deals.
10. Steven Gerrard (Earnings: $15 million / 11 million euros / 9 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Persil, Lucozade, Pringles
Last summer the one-club man signed a new contract with the Reds that runs through 2013. But Jose Mourinho, coach of Italian club Inter Milan, who once courted Gerrard while he was at Chelsea, has stated Gerrard is his No. 1 acquisition target this summer.
09. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Earnings: $16 million / 12 million euros / 10 million pounds)
Major Sponsor: Nike
The Swedish striker commanded the third-highest transfer fee when Barcelona paid $94 million to Inter Milan in July 2009, signing Ibrahimovic to a five-year contract.
08. John Terry (Earnings: $16 million / 12 million euros / 10 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Umbro, Samsung, Konami, Nationwide
After an embarrassing e-mail sent by one of the firms handling Terry’s publicity touting him as ideal candidate for commercial endorsements ahead of this year’s World Cup, word broke that Terry cheated on his wife with the girlfriend of a friend and ex-teammate. Equally embarrassing to the man voted Dad of the Year–he tried to sue a British rag to keep the story of his infidelity out of the press but had a judge rule against him, saying he was not about protecting sponsorships. He was subsequently stripped of his captaincy of the England national squad.
07. Frank Lampard (Earnings: $17 million / 13 million euros / 10 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Orange, Gatorade, EA Sports
Chelsea fans have said “As Lamps goes, so goes Chelsea.” He is one of the top scorers this season at Chelsea with 17 goals in 32 games–which includes a four-goal game against Aston Vila–and the Premier League’s highest ever goal-scoring midfielder with 124 goals.
06. Lionel Messi (Earnings: $20 million / 15 million euros / 12 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Pepsi, Konami
Messi swept the awards for the 2008-’09 season, winning FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and UEFA Champions League Player of the Year among others. His scoring prowess this season–42 goals in 50 games–has both La Liga and national teams fearing him and puts him in contention to repeat a sweep of awards this year. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers counts himself a fan–he has an autographed picture of Leo in his locker.
05. Thierry Henry (Earnings: $24 million / 18 million euros / 14 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Reebok, Gillette, Pepsi
Henry has been rumored for years to be on the verge of moving to the New York Red Bull of MLS. In reaction to a controversy following the France-Ireland 2010 World Cup qualifier in which Henry admitted to using his hands to assist in France’s winning goal to knock Ireland out of Cup consideration, Gillette faced a boycott but subsequently released a statement backing Henry.
04. Ronaldinho (Earnings: $25 million / 18 million euros / 15 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Nike, Nutrilite, Konica, Pepsi
The aging Brazillian star, voted player of the decade by World Soccer magazine, was rumored to be moving to the English Premier League after it leaked AC Milan was going to offer him a contract extension with a pay cut. A more sure sign of whether the sun has set on his career is if he is included on his national team for the World Cup.
03. Ricardo Kaka (Earnings: $25 million / 18 million euros / 15 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Giorgio Armani, Bravia, Guarana
The wholesome Brazillian joined Ronaldo at Real Madrid in the second highest transfer fee on record (Real shelled out $91 million to acquire his rights from AC Milan.) While he has been suffering from a leg injury and missed some playing time, he’s expected to be a key factor in Brazil’s bid to win the World Cup.
02. Cristiano Ronaldo (Earnings: $30 million / 22 million euros / 18 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Nike, Giorgio Armani, Coca-Cola, Castrol, EA Sports, Banco Espirito Santo
Ronaldo is becoming Beckham’s heir apparent both on and off the pitch. Having followed his footsteps first at Manchester United and then on to Real Madrid, he is now trying on Beck’s advertising pants, so to speak. Ronaldo recently signed on to become the new underwear and jeans model for Giorgio Armani. His handlers report turning down 90% of Ronaldo’s endorsement offers.
01. David Beckham (Earnings: $40 million / 29 million euros / 24 million pounds)
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Giorgio Armani, Motorola, Coty, Cabo Sao Roque Resort, Go3, Sharpie
Beckham’s playing future is uncertain, but his sponsorship potential continues. He was recently transformed into a Terminator-like character to promote the Motorola Aura, a $2,000 luxury smartphone. Additionally, after losing top billing with Giorgio Armani, he decided to launch his own underwear line.
source: Soccer’s Highest Earners [Forbes]
Popularity: unranked [?]
The decade is ending, another list is made, yada yada yada. But this is one that is actually pretty good, the top 10 sporting moments of the past decade. Take a look and see if your favorite sporting moment is on it.
10. 2006 college football championship game, Texas 41, U.S.C. 38 Video Here
It’s American college football, which translates about as well as George W. Bush internationally, but this wild ride and the Texas quarterback Vince Young transcended cultural barriers. Never has a winning touchdown run on 4th and 5 seemed more like a sure thing.
9. 2006 World Cup final, Italy 1-France 1 (5-3 on penalty kicks) Video Here
Not much of a show until Zinédine Zidane lost his head and used it to butt the Italian defender Marco Materazzi in overtime. Zidane was sent off in his final game, and France lost. Italy didn’t seem to mind.
8. 2003 Rugby Union World Cup final, England 20, Australia 17 Video Here
On a soggy night in Sydney, Jonny Wilkinson broke a tie and turned long-overdue England into a winner with a drop kick in the closing seconds of overtime.
7. Super Bowl XLII in 2008, New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 Video Here
All that was required to keep the Patriots from the first perfect season in 35 years was a backup wide receiver, David Tyree, catching the ball on the side of his helmet on a third-down desperation pass with little more than a minute left. Eli Manning then threw the winning TD to Plaxico Burress.
6. 2008 Olympics, men’s 100-meter final Video Here
It wasn’t a race; it was Usain Bolt’s coming-out party. The tall Jamaican accelerated like no man in history, then downshifted with 20 meters to go. He still broke the world record.
5. 2008 Olympics, men’s 4-by-100 freestyle swimming relay Video Here
With a half lap to go, Alain Bernard of France, the 100-meter world-record holder coming into the race, had a half-body length lead on Jason Lezak of the United States. France couldn’t possibly lose but did, and Michael Phelps would go on to win eight gold medals after all.
4. 2004 American League Championship Series, Game 4, Boston Red Sox 6, New York Yankees 4
One inning from being swept, the Red Sox stared down their bum luck and rallied to win. They went on to win the World Series for the first time since 1918, ending the “curse of the Bambino†(i.e., never trade Babe Ruth).
3. 2008 U.S. Open golf championship Video Here
Tiger Woods in pain was even more compelling than Woods at the top of his game, and Woods limped and grimaced his way around the Torrey Pines course to a playoff victory over the lovable loser Rocco Mediate. Not bad for a man with a double stress fracture in his leg and a knee that would require surgery. Sounds like fun compared to what Woods has been through lately.
2. 2005 Champions League final, Liverpool 3, A.C. Milan 3 (3-2 on penalty kicks) Video Here
In Istanbul, Milan led 3-0 at halftime, which, considering how Milan usually plays defense, should have been more than enough. But three goals in six minutes from Liverpool turned this into a classic.
1. 2008 Wimbledon men’s final, Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 Video Here
The perfect blend of the right men and the right moment. Nadal weathered two rain delays and an offensive from Federer to end his friendly archrival’s five-year reign at Wimbledon in a five-set epic that compared favorably with the John McEnroe-Bjorn Borg duel in 1980. The match, which lasted four hours and 48 minutes is widely considered by critics, players and fans alike as one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) tennis matches of all time.
What do you think? Did your favorite make it?
source: The Top 10 of a Decade [New York Times]
Popularity: unranked [?]
-
Hot Off The Press linked with Top 10 worthy!
