Jon Rapoport

Kobe & Lysacek among the Olympic stars accessible at LA training facility

The Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California houses practice facilities for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Sparks and superstar figure skating coach Frank Carroll.  Because of this confluence, TSC is home to a remarkable 14 Olympians from the 2010 and 2008 games.

The facility is easily accessible, with public viewing areas situated near all of the ice rinks. The Lakers/Sparks space is more restricted, but basketball fans are allowed to meander around the entry and exit areas of the gated portion of the parking lot.   

This logistical set up makes TSC an ideal venue to encounter many of these world class athletes.  Below is directional information for the center and a list of the big names who hone their craft there.

Derek Jeter’s approach to maintaining his unparalleled coolness

New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter has built as rock solid of an image as any athlete in sports.  The five-time world champion has accomplished this feat despite being recognized as one of the great playboys of the Western world. 

Brett Favre & Shaun White among Jay Leno’s first guests

March 1, Jay Leno makes his controversial return as host of “The Tonight Show.” 

Leno’s first week back will be filled with a bevy of stars from the sports world.

March 1 - Olympic Gold Medal Skier Lindsey Vonn

March 2 - Olympic Gold Medal Snowboarder Shaun White

March 3 - Olympic Record-Setting Speed Skater Apolo Ohno

March 4 - NFL Legend, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Brett Favre

The current and former versions of Alex Rodriguez

The New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez holds the distinction of being one of the most talented, yet most controversial players in baseball.  Rodriguez would boast epic regular season numbers, but be practically non-existent in the postseason.  He would yearn to be loved by the masses, yet garner disdain from fans because he tried way too hard to be revered. He wanted to be like teammate Derek Jeter, instead his narcissistic tendencies placed him more in the vein of Barry Bonds.    

Drew Brees sharing a Saints secret with fans

New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees is undoubtedly the most revered person in the entire state of Louisiana.  

The Super Bowl XLIV MVP is the signature figure in the Saints first NFL championship and in the city’s rebuilding efforts, post Hurricane Katrina.

One of the enduring images of a Saints game is the sight of Brees leading his teammates in a cheer, prior to kickoff.  The lyrics and tone of this cheer have been kept pretty private until recently.

A look at Lindsey Vonn before she was Lindsey Vonn

Olympic skiing superstar Lindsey Vonn has earned the title  “America’s Sweetheart” through her remarkable success on the mountains and her All-American persona.

The 25-year old has parlayed her appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated into two Vancouver medals.  Vonn earned gold in the Downhill and bronze in the Super-G.  Some observers were disappointed in her medal count.  These claims are nonsense considering the severe shin injury suffered by Vonn shortly before the games.  Walking away with multiple medals should be determined a grand accomplishment, after sustaining a serious injury so close to the start of competition.

Years before Lindsey Vonn became a worldwide icon, little Lindsey Kildow learned how to ski at a venue very different from that of Whistler Mountain. 

Apolo Ohno sharing Olympic experience with fans

Saturday, American speed skater Apolo Ohno earned a record-setting seventh Winter Olympic medal. Ohno’s Olympic resume includes two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.  Earlier this week, Ohno earned a silver in the men’s 1500 meter race.

Ohno’s competitive success extends well beyond the ice. He was the winner of the fourth season of “ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.”  Ohno and dance partner Julianne Hough received the show’s first-ever perfect score on April 16, 2007.  

NFL players and celebs playing video game for charity

Thursday evening in Los Angeles, a group of NFL players will participate in the Battlefield Celebrity Bracket Challenge, presented by EA and GameStop.

This charitable gathering coincides with the release of Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

The event will take place at Mi6.

9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood

Red carpet opens at 7:00 p.m. PT

Bengals’ wide receiver Chad Ochocinco will co-host the affair. Other football players scheduled to attend include: the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson, 49ers’ Patrick Willis, Chiefs’ Matt Cassel, free agent Donnie Edwards and all-time great Marshall Faulk.  

Tiger Woods to break his silence

Friday morning at 11:00 am ET, Tiger Woods will make his first public appearance since word of his multiple infidelities first broke in late November.  

The pronouncement will take place at PGA Tour Headquarters in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  It is believed that Tiger will only issue a prepared statement and not answer any questions from the media.

Stayed tuned to iFollo.com for the latest news regarding Tiger Woods.

 

Photograph source: Media Swirl

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Kobe Bryant commutes to work via helicopter

Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is synonymous with flying through the air on the basketball court.   Amazingly, Kobe’s aeronautical accomplishments are not limited just to the hardwood. 

A brand new GQ article chronicles Kobe’s use of a helicopter as his means of dealing with LA’s legendary traffic.   The piece also discusses many other facets of Kobe’s career and family.  It is an entertaining read for the many Kobe fans around the world.

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