Eagles' Patterson has seizure at practice
BETHLEHEM, Pa., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Philadelphia defensive tackle Mike Patterson suffered a seizure at training camp Wednesday but at last report was alert and not in pain, his agent said.
Patterson, 27 and in his seventh NFL season, suffered convulsions during the Eagles' morning workout and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Team trainer Rick Burkholder described the incident as a seizure.
Later Patterson's agent, J.R. Rickert, sent a message via Twitter that Patterson was "alert, doing well and not in any pain."
Patterson, 6-foot-1 and 300 pounds, has 297 tackles and 13 sacks over his NFL career, all of which has been spent with the Eagles. He appeared in 15 games last year, including 14 starts, totaling 37 tackles and two sacks.
Judge upholds $10M football death award
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The University of Central Florida Athletics Association must pay $10 million for a football player's death, a judge says.
Orange County Circuit Judge Robert Evans denied the UCFAA's motion for a new trial, a reversal of the verdict or a reduction of the jury award in Orlando Tuesday.
On June 30, a jury found UCFAA negligent in the death of Ereck Plancher, 19, during a 2008 off-season workout and awarded his parents $10 million.
"I don't second-guess juries unless there simply is no evidence on which they could have based their verdict," Evans said.
The judge also ruled the Planchers' attorneys can recover court costs and legal fees from UCFAA because they made a $4.75 million settlement offer that UCFAA spurned before the trial, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Evans also rejected defense claims that he presided unfairly over the trial.
Plancher family attorney Steve Yerrid said fees and interest would bring UCFAA's bill to nearly $14 million.
A UCF spokesman said: "We will consider all of our options, including seeking a just and fair appellate review."
Former Net Alson sued over alleged assault
NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A lawsuit against former New Jersey Nets guard Rafer Alston accuses him of hitting a man over the head with a bottle outside a New York strip club.
Erick Franceschini, 31, of Milford, Conn., is suing Alston and the Perfection Gentleman's Club in Queens for an unspecified amount of damages, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.
The suit alleges Alston smashed Franceschini with a beer bottle during an altercation that began inside the club and spilled out onto the street.
"My client had 12 staples in his head," Franceschini's attorney, John Rapaway said. "He suffered a concussion."
His client filed a police report, Rapaway said, but Alston was not arrested.
Police sources confirmed the filing of an assault complaint against Alston, but said it was sealed and they would not release any additional information, the New York Post reported.
Japan to honor women's soccer champions
TOKYO, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Japan's women's soccer team will receive one of the nation's highest awards for winning the FIFA Women's World Cup, the government has announced.
The People's Honor Award will be bestowed on the Nadeshiko Japan team by Prime Minister Naoto Kan Aug. 18, the first time it has been given to a group, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Tuesday.
The team "has given Japanese people the courage to face difficulties such as the Great East Japan Earthquake," Edano said.
The team is named for the nadeshiko, a pink, frilled flower considered a symbol of Japanese womanhood.
Nadeshiko captain Homare Sawa, who was named Most Valuable Player in the World Cup finals, told The Yomiuri Shimbun: "I'm very surprised and honored to receive such a prestigious award. If we were able to give everybody some hope and energy while Japan is rebuilding its strength, I'm very happy."
