Patriots, Panthers face Media Day blitz
HOUSTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Reporters and photographers descended on Reliant Stadium in Houston Tuesday for the prelude to the annual Holy Grail of U.S. football, the Super Bowl.
Many of the New England Patriots have been through the Super Bowl Media Day before, but for most of the Carolina Panthers, it was a new experience.
The Patriots (16-2) own a 14-game winning streak and seek their second NFL title in three years. The Panthers (14-5) are in the Super Bowl for the first time in their nine-year existence.
As many as 24 players on New England's active roster were on the 2001 championship team and knew what to expect. Compare that to only six players on the Panthers who have played in a Super Bowl.
"I know I'll have my camera out there to film them coming at us," said Panthers second-year linebacker Will Witherspoon of facing the media stampede.
Michelle Wie to play in Evian Masters
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Teenage golf star Michelle Wie has accepted an invitation to play in the Evian Masters, one of the top LPGA events in Europe.
It will mark the 14-year-old Wie's first appearance in Europe. The Evian Masters is set for July 21-24 in France. Among those committed to the event are defending champion Juli Inkster and world No. 1 Annika Sorenstam.
Last week, Wie was invited to play in her event on the men's tour, the Booz Allen Classic in Maryland. She will be granted an exemption to join the field. The only problem appears to be the date of the tournament.
The Booz Allen Classic -- formerly the Kemper Open -- will be played June 24-27 in Potomac, Md. That is the same week of the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, which Wie won last year.
Wie may choose to defend her title. Last year, she became the youngest person to win any USGA event, doing so at 13.
Wie already has accepted an invitation to play in the LPGA Tour's Michelob Ultra Open May 6-9 in Williamsburg, Va., the same site of the Public Links event. She will play in five other LPGA tournaments this year.
Dany Heatley set to play again for Atlanta
ATLANTA, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Dany Heatley is expected to play for the Atlanta Thrashers Wednesday for the first time since the car crash that killed teammate Dan Snyder.
The Thrashers host the St. Louis Blues.
Heatley, a right wing, has been skating since Dec. 23. Last week he participated in shooting drills.
On Sept. 29, 2003, a car driven by Heatley crashed into a pillar in suburban Buckhead. Snyder, who was a passenger, died six days later. Heatley faces criminal charges but Snyder's family have asked prosecutors to drop them.
Heatley was named Most Valuable Player in last year's NHL All-Star Game. He had 89 points during the 2003 season, including 41 goals.
Capitals owner says sorry for fighting
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has apologized for fighting with a fan who was taunting Leonsis, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The altercation between Leonsis and season ticket holder Jason Hammer, 20, erupted Sunday night after Hammer had been taunting Leonsis for trading all-star winger Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers.
Hammer said Leonsis grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground after he had led a mocking chant of Leonsis and hoisted a sign chiding him.
Some witnesses explained the confrontation differently, offering varying accounts of the severity of the clash.
Even so, Leonsis called Hammer Monday to apologize for putting his hands on him and invited Hammer to join him in his owner's suite for the team's next home game.
Leonsis declined to comment publicly on the matter. Hammer said he would not press charges against Leonsis.
