This Week in Sports :: August 4-8, 2008

Aug 07, 2008

Finally! The Brett Favre saga is officially over! The legendary quarterback has been traded to the New York Jets! See what else happened!

Olympics Begin

On Friday, the 2008 Beijing Olympics officially kicked off with the opening ceremony. More than 91,000 fans packed in the brand new National Stadium to watch the festivities. More than 30,000 fireworks went through the Beijing sky in this extravagant ceremony. President Bush attended ceremonies to root on the U.S., who had 1500-meter runner Lopez Lomong served as the flag-bearer. Basketball sensation, Yao Ming, was China's flag bearer. The ceremony ended in spectacular fashion, when China's 1984 six-time gymnastics gold medalist Li Ning, was taken up by wires to the top of the stadium. As he circled across the top of the stadium, it looked as if he was spacewalking. Li then proceeded to light the Olympic flame.

Favre to New York

After nearly a month of waiting to get traded, Brett Favre finally got his wish on Thursday as the Green Bay Packers traded Brett Favre to the New York Jets. Favre who retired after last season, changed his mind last month and has been pressing the Packers to deal him to another team. This has been a situation that both parties have been trying to solve as quickly as possible as the preseason is set to start. Before New York jumped in the picture, Green Bay was rumored to also be negotiating with Minnesota and Tampa Bay. In return for the former three-time MVP quarterback, the Packers will receive a series of draft picks.

Manny off to a Hot Start

Manny Ramirez has been on fire ever since he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. In his first six games since joining the Dodgers, Manny went 13 for 23 with four home runs and nine RBIs. The 12-time All-Star hit a two-run shot Thursday to power a 4-1 win at St. Louis. Manny's strong play has not been the only news that he has been generating. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has ordered an investigation into Ramirez's split with the Boston Red Sox, according to a report in the Boston Globe. Selig is trying to make sure no illegal negotiations took place.

Notes Around the Sports World

Former Miami Heat guard Jason Williams signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. So far this offseason, the new-look Clippers added Baron Davis and Marcus Camby while losing Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.

Boxer[/KWLINK] Gary Russell Jr. will miss the Olympics after collapsing while trying to make weight. The American bantamweight was expected to be a favorite for a medal.

Ohio University football player, Michael Eynon got a little lucky off the field on Tuesday. The senior offensive lineman won a $250,000 lottery!.

It's been a tough week for the Oakland A's as they have lost 10 straight games and have the third worst record in the American League.

This Week in Sports :: July 21-25, 2008

This Week in Sports :: July 14-18, 2008