LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Is Cam Newton an “entertainer and icon?” Cam Newton at the Combine’s news conference Saturday clarified his “entertainer and icon” remarks. Newton first made the Madonna-esq remarks during a telephone news conference last week with Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Newton told King that he saw himself “not only as a football player but as an entertainer and an icon.”

On Saturday, Newton started his NFL Combine press conference with opening remarks, clarifying that interview. In a carefully crafted statement, Newton focused the attention on the field, not himself. His press team reportedly also passed out copies of the statement to news media.

The reaction was favorable.

“First and foremost, I understand that my obligation is to be the best possible football player I can be. I know and believe that. The recent comments that were made during the announcement of my recent endorsement partnership” Newton said.

For weeks, LALATE and others have said Newton may not just go first round but might be the first overall draft pick. In that context, the response to Newton’s remarks Saturday were favorable.

“I was making the point that I want to be the best possible ambassador for them, just like I want to be the best possible ambassador for whatever team I’m lucky enough to play for” said Newton. “I’m excited to compete this week, and you will see me doing everything possible to become the best player I can possibly be.”

As Jason Cole writes this week, Newton’s quick move to clarify the remarks was a positive. Newton’s interview was in stark contrast to that of Ryan Mallett in which he refused to deny allegations of drug use.

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Ryan Mallett avoided any questions about Tony Softli’s allegations during a news conference Saturday at the Combine. Tony Softli had previously written for ESPN news that this week “heavy rumors of drug use and possible addiction kept (Mallett) from coming out for the 2010 draft.”

Softli is a former NFL executive with the Rams and Panthers and was interviews for the 49ers GM position in January.

During Mallett’s Combine press conference Saturday, he was given the opportunity to deny the allegations. Mallett refused to do so. “First one, huh?” he said with a grin. “No, I’m not going to talk about that right now. I’ve got interviews with the teams. And what teams need to know, they need to know. I’m going to leave it at that.”

“When I saw that stuff, I laughed about it,” Mallet added “Obviously somebody (spread the rumors) for a reason, right before the combine. I got the interviews with the teams, and when teams need to know what they need to know, I’m going to leave it at that. I would say I’m a great person, but I’d also tell them to ask the coaches and ask the people that I’ve worked with before. If you want to know about my character, ask them.”

Mallett said he didn’t care if the reports keep on circulating. He will keep on avoiding them.

“They can keep circulating or whatever, but I can’t control them,” Mallett replied. “I don’t even want to talk about them because there’s nothing I can even talk about it.”

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – UFC 127 results tonight ended with B.J. Penn and Jon Fitch been scored a draw, and Michael Bisping defeating Jorge Rivera.

In UFC 127’s main event tonight, Kyle Noke took on Chris Camozzi. But Camozzi was no match for Noke, falling via submission early on. Camozzi lost on a round 1 rear choke, one minute into the match.

Then Chris Lytle battled Brian Ebersole. But Lytle won on the cards with a unanimous decision. George Sotiropoulos then faced Dennis Siver. They too went to the cards with Sotiropoulos losing via unanimous decision.

Next it was the two top matches, first with Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera. Rivera was done by the second round, falling two minutes into the round via a TKO (strikes). And finally B.J. took on Jon Fitch. But in the end, the fight was scored a majority draw.

Earlier tonight, Ross Pearson battled Spencer Fisher. But Fisher lost on via unanimous decision. Alexander Gustafsson vs. James Te-Huna was far more exiting when Te Huna lost via submission, a rear choke, four minutes into round one. And when Nick Ring faced Riki Fukuda. Fukua also lost via unanimous decision.

For early round results, click here (.txt format).

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Kristy McNichol entertained audiences on Empty Nest. But years earlier she was on ABC’s series Family. During the time her career was reportedly handled by Alan Amron. This week, writer Steven Martin Cohen tells news that Kristy McNichol’s career will be part of his new memoir about Alan Amron entitled “A Post-it Note to 3M — You Did Not Invent It First”.

Today, Kristy McNichol’s Empty Nest roll is revisited in a sitcom marathon. But this week, Cohen said that McNichol is one of several sitcom stars from the 1970s that will be the subject of his new Amron book. Among them are Robert Guillaume (Benson), Cindy Williams (Lavern and Shirley), and even Diane Lane.

“The memoir highlights the true American success story of inventor Alan Amron’s celebrity-woven life with J.D. Salinger, Muhammad Ali, Kristy McNichol, Donald Trump, Tina Sinatra, Pat Summerall, and many others” says the publisher in a statement to news tonight.

Whatever happen to McNichol?

In 2001 she issued the following statement to news about her departure for sitcom life. “A lot of people have wondered what I’ve been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part – MYSELF! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me.”

McNichol added “So many fans are disappointed that I’m not currently acting, however some may not realize that the process I’m in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being.”

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – UFC 127 results had some surprises in early rounds tonight. UFC 127 results started with Curt Warburton vs. Maciej Jewtuszko going to the cards. In the end, Warburton defeated Jewtuszko via unanimous decision.

UFC 127’s second fight only lasted into the second round. Mark Hunt faced off against Chris Tuchscherer. But Hunt defeated Tuchscherer with punches less than two minutes into the second round.

The big stunner was Tiequan Zhang vs Jason Reinhardt. The fight never lasted more than fifty seconds. Tiequan Zhang defeated Jason Reinhardt only forty-eight seconds into the first round with a guillotine choke.

Finally, Tom Blackledge tried to battle Anthony Perosh. But Perosh defeated Blackledge with a rear choke to submission less than three minutes into the first round.

Eight fights remain tonight including Bisping vs Rivera and Jon Fitch vs B.J. Benn. Click here for results (.txt format) updated throughout the night.

• Comments (0)