Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere

Jaime Pressly Connects With Brittany Murphy | Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry | E!

Welcome to the world of Tyler Henry!

On the highly-anticipated series premiere of Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry, the clairvoyant to the stars meets with celebrity clients Jaime Pressly, Bella Thorne, NeNe Leakes and John Salley for readings to connect them with their loved ones on the other side. And of course, there area few surprising revelations along the way!

As Tyler explains about his gift, "My readings are really about connecting people, whether it"s to their deceased loved ones and finding the closure through that or connecting them to insight into their personal lives. Those are the connections that I aim to make and those are what make the biggest difference."

Keep reading for fiveOMG moments from the exciting premiere!

WATCH: Tyler Henry connects#RichKids" Morgan Stewart with her grandma

1. Tyler"s mom almost has an unfortunate accident:Tyler"s mom, Theresa, takes him to the majority of his appointments because he doesn"t have his driver"s license. "I grew up in a small town, and at the age of 16, I didn"t need it," Tyler explains. "Being driven around by my mother is a little nerve-wracking, but I love her even if her driving isn"t that good." As they"re on their way to meet his first client, Theresa adorably freaks out behind the wheel when a motorcycle zooms past their Jeep. "Oh my G*d!" she says. "He almost made me pee my pants!" LOL!

2. Jaime Pressly gets a message from a late friend:While Tyler is reading the My Name Is Earl actress and connecting her with her grandmother, he feels the presence of a younger woman "who feels like she passed away too soon." Tyler says, "She"s making my lungs hurt quite, quite a bit. Mentally this feels strange, physically this feels strange." He then tells Jaime she"s referencing a "B" initial and the name Brittany. "Brittany Murphy!" Jaime exclaims. "Oh my G*d!"

Tyler explains Brittany is trying to apologize because she feels like their relationship ended abruptly. "She"s not coming through necessarily for you as much as she"s referencing to you," Tyler says. "She has messages for other people." Once Tyler delivered the message, Brittany"s energy went away, and he was able to connect more clearly with Jaime"s other loved ones.

3. Bella Thorne connects with her deceased father:While Tyler is out at a Los Angeles party, he feels a sudden pull from one the guests to communicate a message from the other side. Ironically, the special guest turns out to be actress Bella Thorne. "There is actually a reference to a man that"s coming through," Tyler tells her. "He actually comes through on the fatherly kind of a realm for this. It"s like a real strong fatherly figure."

Tyler then describes he"s getting symbols of someone passing quickly in a vehicular accident. "My dad died in a motorcycle accident," Bella confirms. Tyler later tells Bella her dad has so much pride for her. "It"s amazing," he explains. "It"s huge in the way that it comes through, so please know that he"s perfectly fine and he"s okay, and he"s definitely around."

"Oh my G*d!" Bella says. "Thank you so much!"

4. Tyler has an intense, physical reaction during his reading with NeNe Leakes:When Tyler meets with the television personality, he initially has trouble connecting and picking up information. To help, he asks if she brought a personal object he can touch. When NeNe hands him a tiny bell, he starts to sweat profusely and feel ill.

"Being a medical intuitive, I touch the bell and randomly became overwhelmed with a bunch of sensations that I had absolutely no control over," Tyler says. "As I"m going through this process, my face is starting to get sweaty, I"m starting to feel pale and clammy and just overall very uncomfortable." Tyler is forced to take a quick break to recover. Meanwhile, NeNe is extremely concerned. "I was worried," she says. "I was like, "Oh my G*d! He"s sweating his a*s off!" What the h**l?!"

Tyler later discovers the symptoms were connected to NeNe"s mother who had problems with her kidneys and filtration system and previously owned the bell. He then is able to successfully conveyamessage to NeNe from her mom. "As NeNe is validating the information, I"m starting to notice that I"m feeling drastically better," he says. "I"m noticing that I"m sweating less, I"m no longer seeing references to the filtration system and that"s my way of knowing that what is coming through is being delivered in the way that it"s meant."

5. Tyler turnsJohn Salley into a true believer:The championship-winning, retired NBA player is a little skeptical when he first meets Tyler and admits, "I just want to see if this kid is what he says he is." John tells him he is curious about what"s going to happen in his business life. Tyler tells him he will have an opportunity to go to the south in Louisiana and Florida and collaborate in something food related. John then confesses he already has a company that sells vegan products!

"It"s amazingthe scribbling and as quick as he was coming out with it," John confirms. "He was spot on. I know I was right to be into health and wellness and he validated it."

Later, John asks Tyler to connect him with one of his friends who passed recently. As Tyler is opening his mind, the names "Moses" comes through. Turns out, that"s the name of John"s basketball buddy, Moses Malone, who just died. Tyler also feels another male coming through who feels like he went too soon and has a connection to asthma and heart-related issues. John validates it was one his oldest friends, rapper Heavy D. "He couldn"t breathe before he died," he says. "That was a form of his asthma."

Despite John"s initial cynicism, Tyler was really grateful for the whole experience at the end. "My reading with John was by far one of my favorite readings of my entire career, just because what I walked into versus what I left was very different," he says. "Through that transformation there was so much healing."

After Tyler leaves, John is in awe byhow legitimate Tyleris. "He was unbelievable!"

Watch an all-new episode of Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry next Sunday at 10 p.m., only on E!

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Source: http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/733118/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-recap-nene-leakes-bella-thorne-and-5-omg-moments-from-the-series-premiere

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Russians flee Chernobyl-style plant over fears of radioactive leak

Panda plays in snow at National Zoo

The panic followed the emergence of pictures showing a cloud of vapour pouring from Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, some 50 miles from St Petersburg.

The authorities insisted that the was no radioactive leakage after a "defect" which caused a steam emission from the turbine section of the station - the most westerly in Russia - but people did not believe the "no danger" claim.

Radio Svoboda reported that in the wake of the incident on Friday locals in Sosnovy Bor started withdrawing money from their credit cards.

They said locals were in panic mode despite statements from officials that the radiation level was normal.

People had more trust in the ecologists who prepared their own statement.

They confirmed the radiation level in Sosnovy Bor was normal but said wind carried the stream away from the city towards the Gulf of Finland.

They said that didn"t mean the stream was not radioactive.

One local said: "Everyone got very worried and rushed to get iodine."

This is seen as a protection against radiation poisoning.

There were traffic jams as residents left the area and headed for St Petersburg.

Oleg Bodrov, chairman of "Green Wolrd" ecological group said people were right not to trust denials from the authorities, with many people recalling that Soviet officials turned a blind eye to the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe in 1986.

He said: "They know well that the officials" first task is to say all is normal but not to report about danger, even if there is one.

"All those who understand a bit about nuclear energy know that it was an attempt to mistake the wish for the reality.

"In this reactor the water turns into vapour which goes to the turbine.

"And this vapour is surely radioactive.

"This time we were lucky, the reactor was immediately stopped, but some vapour still appeared and because the turbine was stopped it had to go somewhere.

"It was expelled via the tubes.

"Fortunately, the wind had an unusual direction for this region - it was south-south-east and the vapour has gone to the Finnish Gulf, towards Vyborg town."

This was also in the direction of Finland.

Bodrov called for medical checks for staff at the power plant.

Interfax reported that a special commission was working at the nuclear station aiming to find out the reasons for the emission.

One woman - an employee of the station - was taken to the hospital with high blood pressure attack.

The incident led to a shut down of the second power unit at the station.

After the reactor shutdown "the steam leak significantly dropped", reported nuclear.ru website.

An area of 40 square metres was "completely isolated".

Plant manager Vladimir Pereguda said: "The situation at the plant is calm. There are no reasons for evacuation of the plant personnel and residents of Sosnovy Bor."

He said the reactor had been halted "in a subcritical state".

The reactor was being cooled "in order to correct a defect".

Readings at the plant in the days after the incident show safe levels of radiation.

The plant was completed in 1973, and had an expected 30 year life cycle.

It suffered shutdowns or safety alerts in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

Source: http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/628592/Chaos-Russians-flee-Chernobyl-style-plant-radioactive-leak

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Eli Manning has 2 to beat out for NFL Man of the Year

Eli Manning on Coach Tom Coughlin: He hasn’t failed, ‘We failed him."

Eli Manning is one step closer to earning a prestigious award that no Giants player has ever won. He is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes an NFL player for excellence on and off the field.

The award, presented by Nationwide, was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Bears running back.

Every NFL team nominates one player who has made a significant impact in his community. Manning has been the Giants Man of the Year every season from 2007 to 2013. The two other finalists for the award are 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin and Saints tight end Benjamin Watson. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors awards show Feb. 6, the night before Super Bowl 50.

My dad [Archie] played at the same time as Walter Payton, and he has some stories and always talked about what a great person he was, Manning said last month. He was a prankster and just a joy to be around and worked extremely hard, and my dad has only great things to say about him. From everything wonderful Ive heard about him, its an honor to receive this award for the Giants team. Im proud of the work I do, on and off the field.

Manning is extremely active in the Giants community. He has served as the chair of the New York March for Babies for the past seven years. He also is involved with Tackle Kids Cancer, an initiative with Hackensack University Medical Center. Manning and his wife founded the Eli and Abby Manning Childrens Clinics in 2007 in Mississippi. They also created the University of Mississippi Medical Center Manning Family Fund, which received close to $1.5 million in 2015, its first year.

Manning also works with the American Red Cross, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, participates in the No More campaign, contributes to the Operation Smiles NYC gala, has a scholarship endowment at the University of Mississippi and has fulfilled numerous Make-A-Wish and Wounded Warrior experiences.

As my kids get older, I want them to understand the importance of being a part of community and helping out people that are less fortunate, and how many blessings they have, said Manning, who has three young daughters. I want them to have that in their life and an understanding of how important it is to help out other people and different causes.

The 32 team nominees receive a $5,000 donation to their charity of choice. The two runners-up will receive an additional $6,000 donation to their charity of choice. The winner will receive an additional $50,000 donation to his charity of choice.

Source: http://nypost.com/2016/01/24/eli-manning-has-2-to-beat-out-for-nfl-man-of-the-year/

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"Grease: Live" gets ready to dance

GREASE: LIVE | First Look | FOX BROADCASTING

During a recent rehearsal for Fox"s upcoming, live broadcast of the musical "Grease," Aaron Tveit and Julianne Hough waited for their musical cue to jump in the fray and gambol alongside a troupe of frenetic dancers.

The number was "We Go Together," and during the rehearsal on a backlot in Burbank, the Broadway heartthrob and "Dancing With the Stars" alum tried their best to lock down those seemingly impossible shoo bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom foot movements as choreographer Zach Woodlee ("Glee," "Annie") hollered commands over the music.

The couple were dressed in comfy, casual workout clothing, but come Sunday they"ll be doing these same moves during the live broadcast wearing black, body-hugging ensembles similar to those made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 film rendition of the musical.

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"I used to steal the VHS tape from my parents" bedroom because I wasn"t allowed to watch PG-13 movies," Hough said during a break from rehearsal. "I used to go down to the basement and mimic all the dances and sing the songs. And now look at me."

Three years after NBC returned to TV musical waters with live renditions of such stage productions as "The Sound of Music" "Peter Pan" and recent go-round "The Wiz," broadcast competitor Fox is diving in with "Grease: Live" on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.

As networks contend with shifting audience habits that increasingly favor time-delayed viewing, networks are scrambling to create events spectacular enough to battle the power of the DVR. Fox, perhaps of all the legacy networks, is a natural fit for a musical production because it"s the home base for musical powerhouses of the present and recent past: "Empire," "Glee" and singing competition "American Idol."

"Any time that you can send a message to a broad audience that there is something special happening, like live sporting events, where people are flying without a net and bringing a level of showmanship that you can"t have with a drama that"s been highly edited, is a good thing," said Fox Television Group Co-Chairman Dana Walden, who noted her two daughters have done versions of "Grease" at school.

The revamped-for-live-TV event, a Paramount Television production, features well-known names among the millennial set.

In addition to Hough and Tveit as leads Sandy and Danny, others donning leather jackets and poodle skirts include Vanessa Hudgens (Disney"s "High School Musical," Broadway"s "Gigi") as tough girl Rizzo, singer Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchy, Keke Palmer as Marty, Kether Donohue as Jan, Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie, David Del Rio as Putzie, and more.

The elaborate NBC renderings rotated scenes on one New York soundstage; the Fox affair is even more ambitious. The production will unfold over two soundstages housing a number of sets on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank. Production will also take place on Midwest Street i.e., a backlot that they"ll use for exterior scenes of Rydell High and the carnival grounds (during rehearsals, however, the lot was still the town of Rosewood seen in "Pretty Little Liars").

"Ask me after it"s all over if I think the multiple soundstages was a good idea," joked stage director Thomas Kail, known most recently for his celebrated stage work with Lin-Manuel Miranda in the smash "Hamilton."

"I wanted it to feel vibrant and vital the way the film did," he said. "I wanted locations that felt like real places that could ground us so when we lift off and go to the fantasy of "Greased Lightnin"" or the Teen Angel arrives, you have something to depart from."

The musical delves into the lives of working-class teenagers during the early 1950s rock "n" roll era. Originally a 1971 theater production in Chicago, the musical became a cultural touchstone when it was adapted for the big screen in 1978 with Travolta and Newton-John as its leads.

"When we first got together to do the photo shoot, I remember thinking, "Are we actually doing this?"" Hudgens said. "It"s sort of surreal to be a part of introducing this iconic musical to a new generation."

Playwrights-screenwriters Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins were charged with writing the three-hour production, using the familiar Paramount Pictures film as a starting point. But they also worked in elements from the stage show particularly since the film"s run time is 1 hour, 50 minutes.

"We had to figure out how to expand the show without it feeling drawn out and padded," Tolins said. "And, of course, the other job was coming up with where to put 11 commercial breaks."

Two songs from the original stage show "Freddy My Love" and "Those Magic Changes" made their way into the Fox production. Cary and Tolins also found ways to play up Hough"s background by having Sandy dance more than she usually does including in a scene in which she"s auditioning to be a cheerleader.

The show also will feature an original song, "All I Need Is an Angel," written specifically for Jepsen"s Frenchy by "If/Then" duo Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. And given the show"s 7 p.m. start time, adjustments were made to some of the more suggestive lyrics in the soundtrack (in those cases, the school-sanctioned production versions of the lyrics were used).

"I think we"re very much doing our own slant on it," said the show"s live director, Alex Rudzinski, who has directed more than 500 hours of live broadcasts on "Dancing With the Stars." "It would be fickle to try to do a copycat live broadcast. This is a live TV production. If you get too close then all people will do all night is just compare take for take and you open yourself up for problems."

The NBC productions were big ratings draws, but they also proved fodder for plenty of snark of social media. And if "grease" is the word, "Grease: Live" will surely be a conversation on Twitter. Good or bad, the cast say they"re ready for it.

"Sing along and enjoy it and maybe introduce it to someone new," Hough said. "It"s inevitable that people are going to say stupid. But I"ve had the best experience of my life doing this, and I don"t give a c**p."

Helping to make the production as seamless as possible is a crew of about 400 people and about 20 cameras. There will also be a second-screen element in which viewers can get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes action during commercial breaks.

"Of course there"s going to be snafus or people tripping up," Rudzinski said. "But you try and step back from that and you try to be reactive to the problems we"re going to have."

Since the live broadcast will be filmed partly outdoors, a 40-foot-tall, tent-like shield was recently erected to cover the exterior of Rydell High as a safeguard against an unpredictable El Nio strike.

The show will also have a more interactive element than its NBC counterparts. It will feature a live audience that will play a role in the production at various moments (e.g. seat fillers in bleachers during gym scenes, etc.).

In a passing of the "Grease" baton, Barry Pearl and Didi Conn (who played Doody and Frenchy, respectively, in the film) will make cameos in Fox"s live production.

As the new generation of Pink Ladies and T-Birds rehearsed the scene in which Danny and Sandy"s date at the Frosty Palace gets crashed by friends, Conn was off to the side observing with an ear-to-ear grin.

She"ll be playing Viola, the waitress at the diner. But as rehearsal wound down and Jepsen was the only one left at a table, she turned to Conn with her eyes beaming: "It"s so nice to meet you!" Jepsen said to her Frenchy forebear.

Conn, who still revels in her "Grease" days by hosting singalongs of the film at the Hollywood Bowl, said being on set was almost like traveling back in time.

"The little Didi wants to come out and play Frenchy. But I"m a big Didi now," Conn said. "It"s just so exciting. They really captured the DNA of the show the friendship, the love. It touches the kid in everybody. I hope people just get up and dance along."

Cue the music.

Twitter: @villarrealy

Source: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-ca-st-grease-live-20160124-story.html

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Ashley Wagner, Gracie Gold staying focused

Gracie Gold - Shake it off @ 2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships

ST. PAUL It was slightly strange to watch Boston-based Ross Miner skate to Billy Joels New York State of Mind on Friday night in the mens short program at the 2016 US Figure Skating Championships.

But Miner looked more than comfortable with the music choice and choreography, skating a strong program that put him atop the leaderboard for much of the night. He finished second behind Max Aaron (91.83 points).

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Im doing whatever it takes to be an artist, to be the best technical jumper I can be, the best spinner I can be, said Aaron. Nothings easy about that, but Im doing whatever I can to be the best. I get these opportunities and everytime I get them, Im going to come out here swinging as hard as I can.

While known for his jumping ability, Aaron has become a more artistic skater. That helped him take the top spot for the night. Adam Rippon (88.01) currently stands in third and 16-year-old Nathan Chen (86.33) is fourth.

But the biggest surprise of the night was Miners second place in the standing.

It was really fun, said Miner, moments after he scored a 90.90 with his performance. I did a good job of staying patient and being tough.

Mark Mitchell, his coach from the Skating Club of Boston, added: Its the best short program hes ever done at Nationals.

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And that includes the performance that helped Miner win a silver medal at the 2013 US Championships.

Miner said the prospect of competing at TD Garden in Worlds in two months provided a lot of motivation, but he was focused on preparations for his long program. The mens competition will conclude Sunday, which is also Miners 25th birthday.

Hopefully, I can give myself a good birthday present, said Miner.

Before Miner took the ice, Chen thrilled the crowd with Michael Jackson-inspired short program that included two quad jumps. The performance was a good look at the future of mens skating in the US.

This is the first time Ive ever tried two quads in the short program, said Chen. Honestly, it was a big risk for me, but I thought this would be the best time to do it. Im trying to set myself up as a senior skater and I think this is a good step for me.

Work to do

Will Ashley Wagner or Gracie Gold win the ladies title? That was the big question before the 2016 US championships started. Now, halfway through the event, intrigue and drama still surround Wagner and Gold, but for much different reasons. The new big question: Will Wagner and Gold both make the podium?

The answer will come Saturday night when the ladies free skate takes place at the Xcel Energy Center. Gold enters the free skate in second, while Wagner sits in fourth, though points-wise only fractions separate Gold (62.50), Tyler Pierce (62.45) in third, and Wagner (62.41).

Before Wagner and Gold made major mistakes in their short programs Thursday night, Polina Edmunds (70.19) separated herself from the pack with a clean, confident program to Moonlight Sonata. Edmunds, 17, appears poised to win her first US title.

I have confidence in myself and a belief in myself that when I step onto the ice I am able do what I do in practice, said Edmunds, a teammate of Wagner and Gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. I am totally confident that I can go out there and put what I just did out. I think I have been at this long enough to be comfortable, Ive been doing these jumps for six years now, so there really is no excuse not to land it.

Oddly, the more experienced Gold and Wagner could not muster the same confidence and comfort level in their short programs. Maybe theyll find it before their free skates. Then again, Gold has long struggled with the mental side of skating, especially in big competitions.

I have done a fair amount of work with a sports psychologist, said Gold. I am just by nature what you would call a perfectionist and a bit of a nervous competitor, because I want it so much I could strangle myself.

Even if Gold or Wagner perform flawed free skates and finish off the podium, its unlikely theyll be left off the US team for the World Championships in Boston. The winner will automatically qualify for Worlds, while the other team members will be chosen by committee.

With their extensive international rsums, Gold and Wagner should fill those two slots.

Only major mistakes in their long programs and spectacular performances by other skaters could put a trip to the Worlds in jeopardy.

But there might be a situation reminiscent of what happened in at the 2014 Nationals held at TD Garden. In that competition, an error-filled free skate left Wagner fourth, but US Figure Skating officials named her to that years Olympic team. She was selected over third-place finisher Mirai Nagasu.

Shibutanis confident

Its well known that Boston-born Alex Shibutani is a big fan of the Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox, and Celtics. So, when asked what made him more nervous, the Patriots-Broncos game or Saturdays free dance with his partner and sister Maia, Alex said it was the Patriots contest.

I have no control over that, said Alex. Weve been working really hard and were prepared for this competition. So, I know that were just going to go out there and do our best and really enjoy the experience. I have no idea what the injury report looks like going into this weekends game. There are so many Broncos fans here I feel really uncomfortable. But it will be nice to be in Boston back with my own kind.

A large number of top skaters train in Colorado so that explains why Alex keeps bumping into Broncos fans in Minnesota.

If all goes as expected Saturday afternoon, the Shibutanis will head back to Boston for the Worlds. They may even return as US champions. Entering the free dance, the team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates (75.14 points) are in first, while the Shibutanis (74.67) stand close behind in second. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (71.10) finished the short dance in third.

The Shibutanis will skate to Coldplays Fix You in the free skate.

And if they execute it the way they have in other competitions, the program can be a showstopper.

Every time that weve gone out and performed the free dance its been very special for us and the audience, and were hoping that we can do that tomorrow, said Alex. Weve really taken it to another level in our training leaving Barcelona [after the Grand Prix Final], so [Saturday] is going to be about me and Maia, and thats what we are going to focus on.

Meanwhile, Chock and Bates have dealt with program changes and Bates said, This has been the most challenging season for us. The duo made a lot of changes to their free dance during the Grand Prix circuit, then took a break after the Grand Prix Final.

Coming back to the rink after the holidays we felt refreshed and rejuvenated, said Bates. We knew wed pushed really hard to survive through the Grand Prix [Series]. Weve never been in that kind of situation before with so much change. Coming in this week we were both relieved that weve had the programs set for more than a few weeks, and were really thrilled with how it went today. We turned a page after Grand Prix Final. I think were set up well for the rest of the season.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNG-Reo4nB-UnfEJItPVMzIuV0PlHw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779035676375&ei=ziGlVsDzGIfX3gGz94jIAw&url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/01/22/ashley-wagner-gracie-gold-staying-focused/MHhXkAmxXsLJTDnCvbWmLN/story.html

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Michigan State notes: Darien Harris leads 3 Spartans in East-West Shrine Game

FBGP"s 2016 East West Shrine Game Practice Awards: West Team

EAST LANSING Linebacker Darien Harris, one of three Michigan State players in today"s East-West Shrine Game, said he"s ready to get back to some real football after a week of training in St. Petersburg.

"It will be a physical game out there, and it will be a real game, not like the NFL Pro Bowl where guys are out there laughing," said Harris, one of three captains on the 12-2 Big Ten champion Spartans last season.

"I think it will be enjoyable for the fans to watch," Harris said of the 4 p.m. game at Tropicana Field (TV: NFL Network). "For us, we"re going out there to compete and win the football game. It"s a blessing I get to play another football game at the college level and wear the Spartan helmet again."

Harris and offensive lineman Donavon Clark will be on the East team, while safety RJ Williamson will be playing for the West.

Harris played outside linebacker for MSU, so he has worked this week to show NFL scouts that he can also play inside linebacker, a spot he played during the Spartans" win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

"About 80 percent of my snaps at Michigan State were from outside the box, and talking to coaches after this season, they like how I revolutionized that "star" linebacker position," Harris said. "So this week I"ve looked forward to lining up over the guard and center. I"m showing that even though I"m a little undersized at 221 pounds, I can play inside the box."

Clark split his time between right guard and right tackle last season, but he projects inside at the next level, according to Spartans" offensive line coach Mark Staten.

"Donavon Clark is a big athlete, who doesn"t let the little things bother him," Staten said in the school"s all-star game press release. "He has the ability and skill set to play all five offensive line positions. Donavon should project as an interior guy in the NFL. He"s also a great teammate. It didn"t matter if you were a younger guy or an older guy, Donavon always greeted you with a smile and knew how to make you laugh."

Williamson was enjoying the most productive season of his career before suffering a torn biceps muscle against Purdue on Oct. 3 and missing the next eight games.

Co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett said the 6-foot, 216-pound Williamson improved throughout his career.

"He"s a very intelligent player, who"s rarely caught out of position," Barnett said. "His intelligence also allowed him to make a lot of big plays for our defense throughout his career."

SPARTANS NOTES

Harris defends Cook: Harris said inan NFL.com interview this week that the questions about Connor Cook"s character are "a mystery" to him and other Michigan State players who "loved" their quarterback inside the locker and felt he was "the best quarterback in the country." Harris was in the same signing class with Cook in 2011 and said he knows his family well. "For how close and tight-knit the team was," Harris said, "it"s been kind of blasphemous, the amount of things that have been said about him."

Senior Bowl Spartans: MSU two-time All-American center Jack Allen, 2015 Big Ten Receiver of the Year Aaron Burbridge and defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas will take part in the Reese"s Senior Bowl activities in Mobile, Alabama, next week leading up to that Jan. 30 all-star game. Cook withdrew weeks ago, and ShiliqueCalhoun pulled out Monday. Harris said he"s been training with Calhoun in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and that Calhoun was disappointed his wrist hadn"t healed enough to play. "He was looking forward to competing, but it was best for him to let it heal," Harris said. "He had a pretty significant brace he had to wear on that brace every game we played." Cook, of course, finished the season wearing a brace on the shoulder he injured against Maryland on Nov. 14.

Heisman worthy: Harris said he gained a great deal of respect for Navy"s record-setting quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who is looking to play as a tailback or receiver at the next level. "He was definitely worthy of being up for the Heisman," Harris said. "I"d put him with the best of the best, Playing against (Marcus) Mariota was an experience, but I could say the same thing about playing against Keenan Reynolds with his ability to get on the edge and get up to speed in a short window, and also his toughness and physicality."

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Source: http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2016/01/michigan_state_notes_darien_ha.html

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Nigel Sears given green light to fly home after Australian Open collapse

Ana Ivanovic practicing in Miami (with Nigel Sears)

Nigel Sears, who collapsed at the Australian Open on Saturday night, was cleared on Sunday afternoon to leave hospital and fly home to the UK, where his daughter, Kim, is expecting Andy Murrays child in the next few weeks.

My medical advice is that I will be allowed to leave the hospital shortly and I have been cleared to fly back to the UK in the next day or so, said Sears.

He had fallen to the ground while watching his player, Ana Ivanovic, during her match against the American Madison Keys at the same time Murray was playing Joao Sousa on an adjoining court.

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I just wanted to express my sincerest thanks to the incredible people who came to my aid, as well as the brilliant staff both at the Australian Open and the Epworth hospital, Sears said.

I feel truly grateful to everyone involved for the manner in which this has been handled. While I appreciate the level of media interest in this story I would prefer not to comment any further, thanks.

Medics applied a defibrillator to Sears and gave him an ECG test in the ambulance on the way to the nearby Epworth hospital, where he had further tests and then appeared to recover quickly.

He felt well enough to ask for a television so he could watch the tennis on Sunday.

The Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: All of the tennis family is both relieved and pleased to hear that Nigel is being released from hospital. We wish him well and hope to see him back on the court soon.

Ivanovic, who took up with Sears as her coach again after they split in 2011, told friends he had experienced a couple of similar episodes recently. However, other confidants who have worked with him regularly in the media said they had seen no signs of frailty in the 58-year-old coach, who plays a lot of golf, works out most days and eats well.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/24/nigel-sears-given-green-light-to-fly-home-after-australian-open-collapse

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