Michael Chang goes into Hall of Fame
NEWPORT, R.I., July 12 (UPI) -- Michael Chang, a gritty American tennis star who won the 1989 French Open, was inducted Saturday into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Chang was 17 when he won the open -- his lone Grand Slam title -- in Paris.
Overall, he won 34 times on the men's tour, which he left in 2003.
"For me, I think the Lord wanted me to win to put a smile on Chinese people's faces," Chang, 36, said.
"I think any generation that follows our generation its tough to compete. As an athlete, I used my speed, agility and quickness to go out and play against the big guys."
Packers GM: Favre situation 'difficult'
GREEN BAY, Wis., July 12 (UPI) -- Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson says the Brett Favre situation leaves the team in a difficult spot and "we don't have all the answers yet."
Favre, who tearfully announced his retirement as Packers quarterback after the 2007 season, has hinted in recent days of playing again -- either for Green bay or some other team.
The 38-year-old Favre asked the Packers to release him but the team announced it would not give up the rights to the longtime NFL star.
Favre needs permission from the Packers to play with another team.
"We have to go with what's real," Thompson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Saturday.
"We don't know what the options are right now. We'll talk about it internally. It's all guess work. This is a very difficult spot we're in. It's a very volatile situation and we don't have all the answers yet."
Thompson said Aaron Rodgers is the team's starting quarterback now, but acknowledged that Favre's return to the roster is a possibility.
Favre led the Packers to the NFC championship game last season.
Perry, 2 others tied for John Deere lead
SILVIS, Ohio, July 12 (UPI) -- Kenny Perry, seeking his third win of the year, shared the third-round lead with Eric Axley and Brad Adamonis Saturday in the John Deer Classic in Illinois.
The three were at 15-under-par 198 for 54 holes.
The 47-year-old Perry and Axley shot 4-under 67s and Adamonis had a 66.
Will McKenzie, the tournament's halfway leader, carded a 70 to tie for fourth place one stroke behind with Jay Williamson, who fired a 9-under 62.
.J. P. Hayes, Charlie Wi, Scott Sterling, Chad Campbell and Tim Clark shared sixth place at 13-under 203.
Perry has won the Memorial and Buick Open this year. Axley won the 2006 Texas Open. Adamonis is trying for his first tour victory.
Soccer stars help raise $90M for charity
MUNICH, Germany, July 12 (UPI) -- Elite soccer players worldwide are taking part in a campaign to raise $90 million for youth programs before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, organizers said.
Goal4Africa officials said the two-year fundraising effort was being kicked off with a match in Munich, Germany, Saturday featuring German soccer player Michael Ballack and British player Steven Gerard, the BBC reported.
Goal4Africa said it plans to put money raised in the effort toward increasing grassroots soccer and education in Africa.
The organization said it hopes to raise the money by having fans pledge donations online or through texts each time any players from their favorite teams score until 2010.
