Elimimian returns to CFL after failed NFL tryout

VANCOUVER -- Solomon Elimimian is back with the B.C. Lions.

The middle linebacker rejoined the CFL club Thursday after failing to catch on with an NFL team. Elimimian signed with the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season but was released during training camp.

He was later added to the Cleveland Browns' practice roster before being let go.

Elimimian will now complete the option year of his CFL contract with B.C., which has until early next week to decide on Elimimian's playing status. The Lions did say Elimimian won't attend practice Friday or be in uniform when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.

"We're pleased to have Solomon back, but our immediate focus as a team right now is the game against the Toronto Argonauts," GM Wally Buono said in a statement. "We have asked Solomon to join us on the sidelines Saturday and we will make him available to the media prior to the game."

Elimimian was named the CFL's hardest hitter last year in a poll of the league's players. He captured the league's top rookie award in 2010 and helped B.C. win the Grey Cup last season.

NBA team for Seattle?

SEATTLE -- Chris Hansen now has a ticket to shop.

The investor trying to build a new arena and bring the NBA back to Seattle said Thursday that the league has been closely watching what's taking place in the Pacific Northwest and a renegotiated memorandum of understanding between Hansen and the City Council on the proposed arena goes a long way to easing the league's concerns about Hansen's plan.

"It means a lot to the NBA," Hansen said. "They've been watching very close to what we're doing. I think going in they were very skeptical we would get to this point given our history in Seattle."

Hansen spoke at a bar in Seattle's Pioneer Square shortly before an event where he invited fans to come celebrate the agreement announced earlier this week and have their first beer on him.

While the green-and-gold celebration was just getting under way, a short distance away a council committee was voting to advance the renegotiated agreement to the full City Council for a vote that is expected to happen Sept. 24. The renegotiated agreement was formally announced by members of the council Tuesday. It still must receive full approval from the City Council and the King County Council.

Ali honoured in Philly

PHILADELPHIA -- Boxing great Muhammad Ali was honoured Thursday with the Liberty Medal for his longtime role outside the ring as a fighter for humanitarian causes, civil rights and religious freedom.

Hundreds of people gathered on the lawn of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to watch the three-time heavyweight title holder receive an honour that his wife, Lonnie Ali, called "overwhelming."

"It is especially humbling for Muhammad, who has said on many occasions, 'All I did was to stand up for what I believe,"' Lonnie Ali said.

The 70-year-old retired champ, hobbled by a 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease, did not speak. But he stood with assistance to receive the medal from his daughter Laila Ali.

He looked down at his medal for several moments and then waved to the crowd. The award comes with a $100,000 cash prize.

-- from the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 14, 2012 $sourceSection0