Seattle Seahawks training camp update #1

Our goal here at Ape Canyon News Service has always been to be the world's number one source of sports-related news, commentary, and analysis. In keeping with that goal, our staff took a trip today down to the Seattle Seahawks training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Lake Washington (see photo above). During the month of August, the Seahawks, led by coach Pete Carroll (pictured below wearing white pants), will practice numerous times each week in order to get ready for the upcoming NFL season.

Coming into this year's training camp, the Seahawks have three different players competing to become the starting quarterback-- last year's starter, Tarvaris Jackson; former Green Bay Packers back-up quarterback Matt Flynn; and recently drafted Russell Wilson. During the scrimmage at the end of practice, all three quarterbacks took turns running the offense. (See videos below)

Above: Tarvaris Jackson attempts to complete a pass during a scrimmage

Below: Matt Flynn's turn to throw a pass

Among the returning players who are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup is defensive lineman Red Bryant. In addition to doing an excellent job on defense, Bryant holds the single-season Seahawks record for most blocked kick attempts during one season (four). 

During today's practice, Bryant worked on many drills, such as the pass rushing drill in the video above. His performance seemed pretty unremarkable; however, I was curious as to why Bryant appeared to be wearing some sort of pantyhose or stockings under his uniform. (See photo below)

Probably the biggest highlight of today's workout was getting to see offensive lineman John Moffitt vomiting on the sidelines at the start of practice. Moffitt had been having a discussion with fellow offensive lineman Breno Giacomini about the weather-- both players were happy about today's sunshine-- when suddenly Moffitt became violently ill and started throwing up (see photo below). 

Moffitt, who missed the last part of the 2011-12 season due to an injury/suspension for testing positive for banned substances, later on had to ask one of the equipment managers to unlock a door so he could take a quick bathroom break. (See photos below)

Above: Moffitt leaving the practice field

Below: Moffitt waiting for the door to be unlocked

(Click here for a recent video of Moffitt delivering the local weather forecast on television.)

Keep checking back for more on the Seahawks training camp, the regular season, and the rest of the NFL as well-- only thirty-three more days til the start of the regular season!

Below: A storage shed which appeared to hold shelf after shelf of Nike athletic shoes.

World tennis update-- a correction

Back in 2008, Ape Canyon News Service reported that French Open tennis champion Ana Ivanovic (pictured below making a fist) had spent her childhood years learning to play tennis in an empty swimming pool due to the 1999 NATO bombing of her hometown of Belgrade.

Below: A building damaged by NATO bombing

However, it has recently come to our attention that this frequently-repeated story is not entirely accurate. Apparently, while it is true that Ivanovic and other young Serbian tennis players trained in a facility converted from its former use as a swimming pool, the mental images that many of us had formed of her actually playing in an unchanged, empty swimming pool were not correct.

Below: The facility where Ivanovic practiced. For more photos, click here.

While it is certainly hard to image many of today's top tennis stars practicing in conditions such as this, it is a far cry from the slippery, dimly-lit, empty swimming pool in which we were led to believe Ivanovic was forced to train. Ape Canyon News Service asks that you accept our sincerest apologies for having perpetuated this particular piece of mis-information. We always do our best to provide accurate information to our readers, and, in cases such as this, to correct any mistakes we have made.

Above: A photograph of Ivanovic making a fist

Below: One more photograph of Ivanovic making a fist

Finally: A bonus video for you to enjoy in which Ivanovic discusses the contents of her gym bag.

What I have been reading lately #37

Steak...Diana Ross: Diary of a Football Nobody by David McVay

David McVay played for Notts County as a young man in the mid-1970s. For much of the time, he kept a diary of what happened to him (mostly practicing football, playing football, and drinking with his teammates). After his football career ended, he became a reporter. In the early part of this decade, he decided to publish his journals. The result was this book, which I found to be quite enjoyable. One of my favorite parts was when he went to see The Exorcist and then was too scared to sleep for several nights.

For an interview with McVay about his book and his career, click here.

More about Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

The video below was taken when Milan's newest signing, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, still played for Ajax. Practicing with him is Luis Saurez.