Kenny Smith says his good friend, Craig Sager, gave him marching orders for his funeral in case he lost his battle with cancer … wanting anyone who showed up to dress as colorful as Sager did. We talked to Kenny … who worked with Craig for…
Showing posts with label Craig. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craig. Show all posts
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Craig Sager Dies; Beloved NBA Commentator Was 65
Sad news out of the sports world today, as longtime NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager has passed away at the age of 65.
Sager had been battling leukemia for the past two years.
While his condition sometimes forced Sager to step away from his post at Turner Sports, he returned to the sport he loved whenever possible, always bringing his affable demeanor and array of colorful suits along with him.
News of his death comes from Turner President David Levy, who issued the following statement moments ago:
“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us. There will never be another Craig Sager.
“His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.
“While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.”
Sager’s passing comes just days after he was inducted Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
After being diagnosed in 2014, Sager received a marrow transplant and went into remission.
Sadly, the illness returned in March of this year.
Sager quickly became a trending topic on Twitter following news of his death, with colleagues, fans, and star athletes from every sport paying tribute.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement reading:
“Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches.
“A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports’ NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality.”
Sager is survived by his wife, Stacy, and his five children, Kacy, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan.
Craig Sager Dead at 65 After Cancer Battle (PHOTOS + VIDEOS)
Beloved sportscaster Craig Sager has died after a long battle with a form of leukemia. Turner Sports announced his passing on Thursday. He was diagnosed back in 2014, but continued working for TNT and TBS, covering NBA and MLB games through this…
Friday, November 11, 2016
Memphis Grizzlies -- Ugly Suit Tribute to Craig Sager (VIDEO)
How do you salute Craig Sager? GET UGLY, BABY!!! The Memphis Grizzlies did just that — sporting a bunch of disgustingly awesome Sager-inspired shirts Friday to pay tribute to the legendary courtside reporter … who’s in a fierce battle with…
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Jordy Craig, Tristan Thompson Baby Mama, Irate at Khloe Kardashian
With their romance in full swing, it’s conceivable that Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson often sing the Bon Jov hit “Born to Be My Baby” to each other.
But here’s the thing:
Thompson is having an actual baby with someone else! Any day now!
Her name is Jordy Craig and she’s best known as being an Instagram model, having compiled over 271,000 followers on that social media service.
It’s unclear just what the status of her relationship with Thompson was when the Cleveland Cavaliers forward started to date Khloe, but it must have been at least somewhat serious.
Because Craig is very far along with the power forward’s baby.
Back when Thompson and Kardashian first got together, numerous outlets came right out and claimed the former left Craig for Khloe.
Scandalous!
We cannot confirm or deny those reports, but we can now quote a Life & Style source who says that Craig is pissed at Kardashian these days.
She’s in the final stages of her pregnancy and this insider says Thompson barely even pays attention to her during some very important moments.
“Tristan would be with Jordy at the doctor’s office and he’d be off in the corner FaceTiming Khloe,” the magazine explains.
“It was absolutely infuriating to Jordy because she could barely get Tristan to focus on the birth of their baby.”
Do we really believe that Thompson would be on the phone with Khloe, literally in the corner, while a doctor was examining both his baby mama and his impending baby?
Not really.
But Thompson does have a packed schedule as a professional athlete.
Perhaps it’s hard for him to squeeze in time to catch up.
Craig is reporedly unhappy with how Thompson and Khloe have been flaunting their romance, as well.
“[Jordy] feels completely disrespected by [Tristan] and Khloe,” the insider says.
Let’s hope she doesn’t look at the following photo gallery in that case, as Khloe and her man made out hard on the dance floor during a Halloween party.
Khloe and Tristan kept their romance on the down low for awhile, but have been open about it for several weeks now.
Kardashian, for example, admitted to Jimmy Kimmel during a recent visit that she is dating the NBA champion, while she was also in Cleveland last month to celebrate the Cavs’ title with Thompson.
This is not the first time Khloe has dated an African-American athlete, of course, nor is it the second time.
And she’s sick and tired of hearing from racist trolls out there about it.
Khloe wrote on Instagram as criticism over her relationship grew louder:
“I don’t support racism or discrimination of any kind and I especially don’t understand why some people are still against interracial relationships.”
We admire her for taking a stand against such idiots.
Do we admire Thompson for leaving his baby mama, if that’s what actually happened?
Of course not.
But the heart wants what the heart wants and we just hope he ends up bring there for his child as a father. That’s the important thing.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Craig Morgan Mourns Loss of Son: His Spirit Will Endure...
Craig Morgan has spoken out for the first time since the loss of his son.
As previously and sadly reported, 19-year-old Jerry Greer was discovered dead last week after an accident took place while he was tubing with friends.
The fatal incident happened on Kentucky Lake, with few details available regarding exactly how this tragedy came about.
But all that matters in the end is that Morgan, a star in the world of country music, and his wife lost one of their four kids in horrific fashion.
Now, five days after the funeral for Greer, the artist has taken to social media to express his gratitude for the support his family has received throughout this impossible time.
“The loss of our son Jerry is the hardest thing we have ever had to endure as a family,” Morgan wrote on Instagram Wednesday night.
“Karen [Greer] and I are so grateful for all of the wonderful people who have shown us unwavering support during this difficult time.”
Morgan included the following photo along with his heartfelt message.
He continued:
“There are too many to name here, but we are especially thankful for the Humphreys County Sheriff and Fire Departments, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and all the additional agencies and volunteers who turned out to bring our son home.
“We would also like to thank our friends, family members, and Jerry’s friends who have all shown us an immense amount of love and support.
“Additionally, we cannot thank the music and outdoor communities enough for wrapping their arms around us, as well as our industry friends, fans, and all those that loved our son.”
Morgan ended his post by quoting scripture and by thinking of the legacy Jerry has left behind.
“We are blessed by the outpouring of prayers and condolences from across the world. Jerry may be gone from this earth, and we will miss him every day, but his spirit will live on in our hearts.
“We will find peace knowing that God has a bigger plan, and that one day, we’ll be reunited with him again in Heaven. John 3:16.”
Jerry graduated from high school this spring and was scheduled to football for Marshall University in the fall; he was laid to rest Saturday.
Since his expected death, his family members and other loved ones have established a scholarship fund in his honor, one focused on aspiring athletes, particularly ones struggling with dyslexia.
May he rest in peace.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Jerry Greer, Son of Craig Morgan, Memorialized in Moving Obit
Jerry Greer, the 19-year old son of country singer Craig Morgan, has been memorialized in print.
As previously reported, Greer was found dead on Tuesday, two days after he went missing after a fatal tubing accident.
After sending out a multitude of boats to search for Greer’s body, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency confirmed it had been found in the waters of Kentucky Lake in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
A rep for Morgan released a statement soon afterward that reads in part:
The family is grateful for the outpouring of support and requests prayers at this time as they privately mourn this terrible loss.
Jerry is survived by parents Craig and Karen Greer, sister Aly Beaird and brother-in-law Ryan Beaird, brother Kyle Greer and fiancée Chelsea Rogers and brother Wyatt Greer.
Now, a moving obituary has been published in The Tennessean.
“Jerry was the smile that instantly lit up any room,” it reads, continuing as follows:
“He was a superstar without even trying. He was a natural athlete that accomplished what most spend a lifetime attempting to achieve. He was a devoted and dedicated son, brother and friend. He loved his God, his family, his friends and his country more than anything.
“His passions were football, soccer and the outdoors.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone who came in contact with him. He will be forever in our thoughts, in our words and in our hearts.”
Memorial services have been scheduled this weekend in the family’s home state of Tennessee.
Greer’s friends, family members and loved ones will gather this Friday and Saturday to pay tribute to the late country music offspring.
Greer graduated this year from Dickson County High School. He was planning on playing football for Marshall Universiy.
He survived by his parents, sister Aly Beaird and brothers Kyle and Wyatt.
We send the family our condolences during this impossible time.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Jerry Greer, Son of Singer Craig Morgan, Found Dead From Tubing Accident
We have a very sad update to a story we posted yesterday regarding country singer Craig Morgan.
On Monday, word went out that Morgan’s son, Jerry Greer, could not be found after he went out tubing on the Tennessee River.
A rep for the artist confirmed that Greer was being pulled by a boat when some kind of “freak accident” took place. The rep asked for “privacy” during this difficult time for the family.
Now, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed that Greer’s body has been found in the waters of Kentucky Lake in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
He was only 19 years old at the time of his passing.
A group of emergency responders, in 20 to 30 boats, had been searching for the Green since he was reported missing on Sunday around 4 p.m.
“It is with deep sadness that I am confirming the passing of Jerry Greer, son of country music entertainer Craig Morgan and wife Karen Greer,” Morgan’s rep said in a statement to People Magazine.
Added the rep:
“The Humphreys County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department recovered his body this evening after a search that began Sunday following a boating accident on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee.
“A 2016 graduate of Dickson County High School, Jerry planned to play football for Marshall University in the fall.”
Rob Edwards, the chief deputy for the sheriff’s office, said Greer was wearing a life jacket at the time of the tragic incident.
The rep concluded as follows:
The family is grateful for the outpouring of support and requests prayers at this time as they privately mourn this terrible loss.
Jerry is survived by parents Craig and Karen Greer, sister Aly Beaird and brother-in-law Ryan Beaird, brother Kyle Greer and fiancée Chelsea Rogers and brother Wyatt Greer.
Back in June, Morgan talked to Fox News about the challenges and rewards of parenting, saying at the time:
“Every day my wife and I understand that we are building young men and women. They’re going to take over for us as citizens.
“[I tell them to] live. Enjoy your life because nothing is guaranteed and every day is a blessing.”
Morgan is an Army veteran with numerous Top 10 country hits to his name.
He is also the host of Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors on the Outdoor Channel.
We send our condolences to his family and loved ones.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Craig Morgan: Country Star"s Son Missing Following Boating Accident
Jerry Greer, the 19-year-old son of country music star Craig Morgan, has been reported missing.
Sources say Greer was riding an inner tube that was being pulled by a boat on the Tennessee River when what’s been described as a “freak accident” occurred.
Details are scarce at this time, but Morgan and his wife, Karen Greer, have confirmed that Jerry’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
“The family is grateful for everyone’s support and prayers and requests privacy during this difficult time,” reads a statement issued by Morgan’s reps this morning.
Authorities have confirmed that two teens were tubing when the unspecified accident took place.
One of them, who has not yet been identified as Greer, never resurfaced.
All parties involved in the accident were reportedly wearing life jackets.
Helicopters and rescue boats have been combing the area since 4 pm Sunday afternoon.
Asked if they expected to find Greer alive, authorities responded that they have not “declared anything other than searching.”
Morgan and his wife have four children together, including Greer, who recently graduated from Dickson County High School.
Morgan frequently speaks of his love for his wife and kids in interviews.
“I have a wonderful family,” he told FOX411 Country last year.
“My wife is great and supportive, making sure that I’m doing the things I need to be doing at home and that I need to be doing out on the road.”
We will have further updates on this story as more information becomes available.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Prince William Visits Ex-Girlfriend Jecca Craig In Africa! Kate Middleton "FURIOUS?"
Everybody CALM. DOWN.
The Duke of Cambridge is attending friend Jecca Craig’s wedding in Kenya, while the Duchess of Cambridge stays behind in England with their two children.
This piece of news has the makings of tabloid fodder, since it’s speculated that William and Craig – whose father owns the wildlife conservancy, Lewa Downs – dated when they were teenagers and even staged a “pretend engagement” during William’s gap year in 2000.
William’s relationship with the Craigs is so good that he even missed his cousin, Peter Phillips’ 2008 wedding to attend that of Craig’s older brother, Batian (Catherine represented him at the nuptials back in England).
Kensington Palace confirmed that the prince was making a private trip to Kenya, which also included a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss “defence and security, and conservation.”
Celebrity Dirty Laundry, of course, thinks William has fooled around with Craig a few times behind Catherine’s back, even going so far as to compare her to the Duchess of Cornwall when she and Prince Charles carried on an affair while he was married to the late Princess of Wales.
Craig and the Cambridges are part of a large circle of friends, and have been photographed at the same weddings (Craig is the brunette in the photo above; she and Holly Branson, another one of the Cambridge’s friends, attended the 2013 wedding of Lady Melissa Percy and Thomas van Straubenzee).
It’s believed William is due back in the UK on Easter Sunday, but CDL speculates that he “begged” the Queen for an excuse to go to Kenya to avoid spending the holiday with Carole Middleton.
It might seem odd that Catherine didn’t accompany William to the wedding, but it’s been reported that she’d like to spend as much time with Prince George and Princess Charlotte before her and William’s official trip to India and Bhutan in April.
Her Royal Highness has also been known to miss friends’ weddings in order to be with her children, but let’s all just assume the worst and blame William “abandoning” his family for Craig.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Craig Strickland: Bandmates React to Singer"s Death
Last week, Backroad Anthem lead singer Craig Strickland went missing after embarking on a hunting trip with life-long friend
Yesterday, Strickland’s body was found in a remote, heavily-forested region of Oklahoma. Today, his bandmates paid touching tribute to their fallen frontman on Facebook:
The band’s surviving members – Toby Freeman, Eric Dysart, Josh Bryant, Brandon Robold and Isaac Senty – posted the photo above, along with the following caption:
“Today we lost our brother, our best friend, our bandmate. Craig was the most amazing person whose passion for life couldn’t be matched. Thankful to know he fought his way from the water to a hill and was lying in the shape of a cross on his back looking up to his Heavenly Father.
“Today, he is smiling down on us and we know he will always be with us. He will always be here to help guide us along the way. We love you Craig Strickland and we will forever miss you!”
The band’s statement references the details of Strickland’s death that were recently made public by his wife, Helen Strickland.
“The night of the accident he fought his way out of the water and up a hill before the stages of hypothermia set in,” she wrote on Instagram.
“He experienced no pain in his final moments and simply felt like he was falling asleep. They found him lying in the shape of a cross looking up to his Father.”
Strickland was 29 years old.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Craig Strickland Death: New Details Emerge
A few hours after the confirmed death of Craig Strickland, the singer’s wife has taken to Instagram in order to pay tribute to her late husband.
She has also provided new details about his passing.
Strickland, the frontman for Backroad Anthem, had been missing for seven days after he and a friend went duck hunting last week in Oklahoma.
The body of Chase Morland was recovered soon afterward, with everyone assuming the same fate had sadly befallen Strickland.
Following the discovery of Strickland’s corpse on Monday, it has been confirmed that the two men were killed when their boat got caught in a winter storm and eventually capsized.
“We can finally rest knowing that he is at Home in Heaven with his Father,” Helen Strickland wrote on Instagram.
“The night of the accident he had fought his way out of the water and up a hill before the stages of hypothermia set in. He experienced no pain in his final moments and simply felt like he was falling asleep.”
Strickland’s wife went on to say that her husband’s body was found “lying in the shape of a cross.”
She took comforting in knowing “he saw Jesus at that moment,” expressed gratitude to all who have reached out over the past week and concluded:
“There was not a more peaceful way for him to go into the arms of our Lord, and I know your prayers had a role in making that happen.
“I love you with all my heart Craig Michael.”
We send our condolences to Helen and all of Craig Strickland’s loved ones.
Craig Strickland Found Dead; Country Singer Was 29
Craig Strickland – the musician best known as the lead singer of country band Backroad Anthem – has been found dead.
Strickland went missing during a hunting trip with life-long friend Chase Morland on December 27.
After Morland’s body was found near the capsized boat that he and Strickland had been using to hunt ducks near Ponca City, Oklahoma, officials began to fear the worst.
Details are scarce at this time, but early reports indicate that Strickland’s body was eventually found several miles from where the boat was overturned.
According to weather data from the area, Strickland and Morland would have found themselves in a severe winter storm with winds of up to 45 miles per hour and windchills as low as 15 degrees.
The friends seemed to have some idea of what they were getting into, as Morland posted the following ominous tweet just hours before they departed:
“In case we don’t come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma.”
An Arkansas native, Stickland lived in Fayetteville with his wife, Helen Wisner Strickland, whom he married in 2014.
Strickland was a larger than life figure in his hometown, a phenomenon he addressed in the lyrics to “Small Town Fame,” a 2013 single he penned that eventually reached the number 24 spot on the iTunes country chart.
Some of the biggest names in country music have already expressed their condolences to the Strickland family on social media.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Craig Strickland: Country Singer Missing, Friend Dead After Ominous Hunting Tweet
Authorities are searching for Craig Strickland after 29-year-old country singer went missing on a duck hunting trip this week.
He went hunting with friend Chase Marland, who was found dead, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety confirmed in a statement.
Police have “recovered one subject; Chase R. Marland, 22 year old male from Van Buren, AR., from Kaw Lake,” a spokesperson said.
“At this time search efforts are still underway in attempt to locate Craig M. Strickland, 29 year old male from Springdale, AR.”
Both men were in a boat, with “no personal floatation devises in use … the boat has been found but not recovered at this time.”
Authorities continue, “At this time the search efforts are going to be suspended for the day due to weather and fading lights.
“Search efforts will resume in the morning.”
Additionally, a law enforcement source also notes that the search for Craig is still a rescue effort, not a recovery effort, at this time.
On Sunday, a search was launched when a boat the two men were using to hunt ducks north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was found capsized.
That news came just two days after Marland tweeted about the risky trip, as if his online words unknowingly foreshadowed his fate:
“In case we don’t come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma.”
“#IntoTheStorm.”
Strickland’s band, Backroad Anthem, posted on Facebook: “Everyone please say special prayers for the family of Chase Morland.”
“They were very close friends and it is such a heartbreaking loss. Randy Strickland (Craig’s father) has informed us Craig has not been found.”
“Please keep praying for his safety. We are trying to think of a scenario where he is still alive. Hoping against the odds.”
Friday, October 23, 2015
Daniel Craig Shuts Down Reporter, Refuses to Pout
007 is not here to play games, people.
In the latest example of an awkward celebrity interview, Daniel Craig sits across from Sarah Powell, a reporter for ITV’s This Morning.
He"s there to promote the latest James Bond movie, Spectre, but he"s not there to act like any kind of trained monkey.
Powell learns this the hard way, asking Craig to do his famous "pout" from the James Bond series, only to initially be denied and then later to be strongly denied, as the actor tells her in no uncertain terms:
"I think you need to move on."
She heeds this advice (or warning, really), but later asks whether Bond has gone “shy” because there’s no nudity in Spectre.
“He’s going shy now,” Craig quips in response.
Powell wasn"t getting too personal with Craig, but she still should know better. Despite having a large penis, Craig is not one of the most jovial stars out there.
Check out the awkward exchange now.
Monday, September 28, 2015
James Harden & Craig Sager -- Emotional Reunion ... At Rockets Media Day
Z STAFF
breaking news
It all went down in Houston … where Sager has been receiving treatment for leukemia ever since the cancer returned back in March.
Sager hopes to return to the NBA sidelines this season — and judging by his outfit, he’s already getting wardrobe on point … rocking a weird ugly shirt — ’cause that’s how Sager rolls.
#SagerStrong
"7 Days" Singer Craig David: "Memba Him?!
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