Brad Pye’s National Sports Beat (8/10-8/16/17)

Everybody is talking about 6-foot 7 and 315-pound Sunny Odogwu, a native of Nigeria. He has the Bruins shouting about his size and spirit. One of his teammates Kenny Lacy has declared: “Sunny is very big and loud.” And the beat continues!

Antonio Gates will be at the scene to see his long time San Diego Chargers teammate LaDainian Tomlinson inducted into the Hall of Fame. Gates declared: “Some things, you’ll never get back.” More from San Diego Charger great LaDainian Tomlinson speaking about his Hall of Fame selection: “Football is a microcosm of America, all races, religions and creeds, living, playing, and competing. Side by side. When you are part of a team, you understand your teammates—their strengths and weakness—and work together toward the same goal, to win a championship. Let’s not choose to be for one another, I pray we dedicate ourselves to being the best team we can be—leading the way for all nations to follow.” A final word from Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson; “I’m asking you to believe in your ability to bring about change to hold on fast to the faith and the idea whispered by slaves. Yes we can.”

Unfortunately, my dear late friend Al Davis owner of the three Oakland Raiders Super Bowl winners won’t be around if the team wins another NFL crown before the Raiders move their act to their new home in Las Vegas. However, Al’s son Mark Davis will be at the helm.

Madison Keys has her third career singles match at the Bank of West Classic at Stanford. This was the 22-year olds first win on the hard court.

Yasiel Puig is having his best career season and his 21st career homer.

East-siders don’t forget the Eastside Boys and Girls Club will host their 84th celebration on Aug. 13 at the Nate Holden Center on West Washington Blvd. from 1p. til 6 p.m. And the beat continues!

Check signals! The USC Trojans are loaded with speedy and versatile running backs. And a freshman could steal the starting job and the spotlight by the name of Stephen Carr, Ronald Jones II took the field as No. 1 on the first day of practice.

When all the hits, stolen bases, runs are counted the L.A. Dodgers will be history makers, At the moment the Dodgers are 79-32, the best in baseball. The Dodgers end up with 115 one less than the Seattle Mariners’ mark set in 2001. No team has reached this mark since that time.

The Seattle Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson uses the word “Super” in every sentence he uses, Wilson starts by saying returning defensive two-time second team all-pro Richard Sherman … Kam Chancellor will be super better, Eddie Lacy will be super better joining with Thomas Rawls, who will be super awesome for the Seahawks rated 25th in running last year and a number other players will be amazing in 2017. Uses that word again when he prays for himself and his teammates, Wilson adds; We are super close, You get that way. We have had some of the greatest players in the world, great character. We love each other. We are a super tight team that’s been successful for five years.” By the way, Wilson’s dad, Harry used to tell him it was about the three Ps—a great purpose, perspective and always perspective.” Wilson’s father Harry played receiver at Dartmouth in the 1970s and died in 2010.

Kenny Easley, the much-honored UCLA Hall of Famer in his induction speech, who had to wait 24-years, told his fellow honorees: “Thank you for welcoming me into your exclusive club.” And here is a final word from UCLA’s Kenny Easley. A NFL Hall of Famer from the Seattle Seahawks: “ We have to stand up as a country, as black Americans and fight the good fight to protect our youth and our American constitutional right it has to stop, and we can do it, and the lessons we learn in sports can help.”

My former Jefferson High classmate dancer choreographer Carmen de Lavallade will be the recipient of a Kennedy Center honors.

Floyd Jeter, a high jumper at my East L.A. College alma mater and an all-city jumper at Roosevelt High. Jeter is believed to be the first man to receive an athletic scholarship at USC. The Trojans’ Brice U. Taylor, in 1925 and high jumper and basketball player at Troy in 1937. Check the debut of these black athletes at USC.

Boy someone should tell you, you can’t go around beating up on women, even if the woman is your wife. The L.A. Clippers’ Willie Reed slapped around his wife and he may not be permitted to play again soon.

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