agency matters. He has worked the last 49 Super Bowls.Joe Brownes professionalism, trust, and passion for the National Football Le

CANTON, Ohio -- NFL senior executive Joe Browne, who recently retired after 50 years in the league office, will receive the Pro Football Hall of Fames Ralph Hay Pioneer Award during the induction ceremony Aug. 6.The honor is presented periodically to an individual who has made significant and innovative contributions to professional football.Browne was the longest-serving employee in the league office before retiring in March. He began his career as a 17-year-old college intern in 1965 and soon became a key adviser to Commissioner Pete Rozelle. In 1990, Browne became the leagues first vice president under Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and was promoted five years later to senior vice president.In 2002, Browne was promoted to executive vice president of communications and government affairs.Joe Browne did a remarkable job representing the NFL during his extraordinary 50-year career with the league office, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday. I was fortunate to break in as an NFL intern under Joe. It was a terrific education. Joe was always a fierce protector of the shield, a demanding innovator, and he set the standard for effective sports PR. He was a mentor.Browne led the NFLs media relations, public affairs and community relations throughout North America and overseas. He also served as chief liaison for NFL clubs in congressional, military and government agency matters. He has worked the last 49 Super Bowls.Joe Brownes professionalism, trust, and passion for the National Football League over a half-century was critical to shaping the games image and promoting its great growth, Hall of Fame President David Baker said. The NFL has never had a more committed and dedicated employee than Joe, and his immense impact on the league is immeasurable. He is the very definition of the Ralph Hay Pioneer Award.The award is named after the former owner of the Canton Bulldogs whose Hupmobile showroom was the location for the NFLs founding meeting in downtown Canton on Sept. 17, 1920. The most recent recipient was former NFL officiating chief Art McNally in 2012.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max Günstig . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Vapormax Plus Günstig . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. http://www.shopairmaxschweiz.com/air-max-270-fake-kaufen.html . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Nike Air Max 90 Off White Schweiz . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Nike Air Max Tn Günstig Kaufen .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Though he wasnt in a New England Patriots uniform, Tom Brady found a way to throw some touchdown passes this weekend.Brady and Michigan?coach Jim Harbaugh played catch together Saturday afternoon as the fourth-ranked Wolverines warmed up around the two former Wolverines quarterbacks. Brady was visiting his alma mater this weekend as Michigans honorary captain for its afternoon matchup with Colorado.Brady arrived in Ann Arbor on Friday night to speak to the team, but before he met the Wolverines at the hotel, he and his son made a stop at Michigan Stadium to throw a few passes.The QB returned to the stadium around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon and headed into the Michigan locker room shortly after the team arrived. Harbaugh and Brady lined up about 25 yards from each other and had a spirited game of catch. Harbaugh, true to form, wore cleats and a pair of receiver gloves.After the Wolverines 45-28 victory, Harbaugh called the exchange a thrill.When I look back on my career of playing catch with different people, that was right there with my dad, playing catch with my dad, he said. His pregame talk was outstanding. It was very good, very from the heart. He went through each position and he told them what they were expected to play like ... the guys who wore those uniforms and played that position before.Harbaugh noted that he inittiated the catch.ddddddddddddOf course, he said. Lets play a little catch, Tom. He throws a good ball. That ball almost catches itself the way he throws it.Brady hasnt been back to a game at Michigan since he played his final game in a maize and blue uniform in 1999. His four-week suspension stemming from the Deflategate punishment opened up his calendar this September, and Harbaugh invited him to spend some of that time with the Michigan team.At least a handful of fans traded in their Michigan colors for Patriots jerseys to welcome one of the schools most successful NFL exports of all time.As part of his duties as honorary captain, Brady gave the team a pregame speech Friday night in its hotel and participated in the coin toss minutes before kickoff. Before Brady joined the teams three captains at midfield, Michigan played a video montage of his highlights while he was a Wolverine.Brady was joined during the coin toss by billionaire video game developer Bobby Kotick and Bill McCartney, a Michigan native and former Wolverine assistant who won a national championship as head coach at Colorado.Brady couldnt bring his Wolverines any luck prior to kickoff, though. The Buffaloes won the coin toss before losing the game.? ' ' '