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| Ai Yasuda at the Pro Bowl |
| On Feb 8, Ai Yasuda stood where she never thought she would be in a million years — on the field at the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii, waving pom-poms and kicking her legs as one of an elite group of all-star cheerleaders.
 For the 28-year-old San Francisco 49ers' Gold Rush cheerleader from Tokyo, the honor was particularly sweet because in order to appear at the Pro Bowl, a cheerleader has to be selected by her colleagues. For cheerleaders, it is sort of like winning the MVP, and something not easily obtained for a non-American, considering the home-grown competition.
Looking back on her three years with the 49ers from 2001-2004, Yasuda sometimes wonders how she made it. She was a very different person in April of 2001 when she first applied to audition for the Gold Rush. After graduating from Mejiro University in Tokyo with a major in English literature, Yasuda was searching for a "meaningful life," she recalls. She was one of nearly 400 girls (including seven other Japanese) who showed up at an audition hall in San Francisco, hoping to be one of the 32 who would make it through the numerous dance tests and an interview. The organization reportedly receives more than 1,000 applications from all over the world each year. |
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| EVENT TICKETS |
- Super Bowl Tickets
- NFR Tickets
- US Open Tennis Tickets
- Rose Bowl Tickets
- Final Four Tickets
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| Michael Vick Woes |
 Falcons owner Arthur Blank and team president/general manager Rich McKay said Saturday they're disappointed that Vick is the subject of a civil lawsuit, but made it clear they support him fully, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. |
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| NFL Europe League |
 The Amsterdam Admirals have moved to the top of the NFL Europe League standings with a 37-24 defeat of the Cologne Centurions. The other two Week 4 games are in the third quarter. The Berlin Thunder and Rhein Fire are tied at 14-14, while the Hamburg Sea Devils lead the Frankfurt Galaxy 16-3. |
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| Tsunami Relief |
| The NFL has raised more than $4 million US in aid for victims of Asia's tsunami and earthquake disaster, the league said Thursday. The amount was raised by the league working in conjunction with its teams, players and fans. The major donations include: |
- $1 million directly from the NFL
- $1.5 million from Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen's charitable foundation.
- $500,000 from New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and the team's charitable foundation;
- $370,000 from Atlanta Falcons and owner Arthur Blank;
- $150,000 from San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos.
- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is donating his $18,000 playoff paycheque.
The NFL also said it will match donations up to $1,000 made by league employees. Last week, Formula One champion Michael Schumacher pledged to donate $10 million in tsunami aid during a televised fundraising gala in his native Germany. More than 150,000 people in 11 countries have died in Asia's tsunami and earthquake disaster since Dec. 26. |
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Matt Hasselbeck made the Seattle Seahawks’ decision a lot easier. The Seahawks signed Hasselbeck to a multi-year contract Tuesday, enabling the team to use their franchise tag on star running back Shaun Alexander. 
Good news for Tennessee: Steve McNair will play in 2005. Reliable backup Billy Volek is still around in case McNair gets hurt, and new offensive coordinator Norm Chow gives fans reason to be excited.