German_Force » Kelvin Beachum might be the NFL's most fascinating man.

He's certainly one of the busiest.Beachum is a philanthropist Youth Spencer Long Jersey , humanitarian, small-business investor and a big-time tech geek. Oh, and he's also responsible for protecting the blind side of the New York Jets' 21-year-old franchise quarterback."Man, Beach is a very interesting guy," right tackle Brandon Shell said. "He's so smart and he's always got something going on."Beachum's offseason itinerary is loaded with a laundry list of interests and passions that would make even the most organized person sweat.He's a left tackle first, though, an invaluable part of rookie Sam Darnold's offensive line."I've got to make sure I keep him clean," Beachum said. "I take pride in that. I love it. The thing is, pressure either busts pipes or makes diamonds. I'm all about making diamonds."The 29-year-old Beachum is a big man with big blocks and an even bigger heart.This week is an important one off the field for Beachum, who's a public advocate in the fight against hunger. In conjunction with World Food Day on Tuesday, he has donated $5,000 to the Food Bank For New York City and challenged New Yorkers by pledging to double that amount if they matched his support. He has done the same with food banks in Texas — Mexia, where he grew up, and Dallas, where he went to college at SMU — as well as in the cities of his previous two NFL stops: Jacksonville, Florida; and Pittsburgh. The total contribution could reach $75,000 and provide 375,000 meals."What it does for me is it allows me to keep things in perspective," said Beachum, whose interest in humanitarian efforts was sparked by a canned food drive in college. "I was one of those kids that was on food stamps growing up. We had to lean on the WIC program. We had people who helped us out. So, for me, that keeps me grounded, honestly, because I was there."While Beachum and his family didn't have much growing up in Mexia, they had work ethic. Beachum's grandfather was blind, but worked on cars — still does, even at 91 — and taught Beachum's father to do so, too.So, all Beachum knows is working hard and keeping busy. And helping anyone he can."When I set out to play ball, all I wanted to do was make sure my mother and dad didn't have to work anymore Authentic Trumaine Johnson Jersey ," he said. "Like, I could cut a check at any point in time and be like, 'Hey, it's done. Do what you want to. Go play with the cows out there.'"And if I wanted to right now, I could. So, it's like I've accomplished that. But, they still want to work, which is fine with me. But, I feel like I'd lose drive if I try to sit back and try to reflect on what's happened."And there's plenty.Beachum focuses on two areas in his philanthropy: One, ending hunger domestically and worldwide, and two, advocating a STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — curriculum in schools across the country.He partnered with the UT Tyler Ingenuity Center to launch his first annual STEM initiative in Mexia in 2016 as a part of his Kelvin Konnects program. Beachum has returned to his hometown every spring to reach underserved students in grades 3 through 12.Through the World Vision organization, Beachum has also become a voice for global clean water access and pushed for the development of water systems that serve as pipelines for communities.A trip a few years ago to Honduras gave him a firsthand look at how some areas of the world struggle with even bare necessities, seeing the paths young children would take to go up and down hills to retrieve clean water."When I think about what's going on globally, you can't even get into that hunger conversation because some countries don't even have access to clean water," Beachum said. "Even still in Flint, Michigan, they don't have access to clean water, which I don't understand being here in America, a very rich, very developed, very industrialized country, where a city in a very populated state doesn't have access to clean water. So, if that's going on here in America, just think about what's going on globally."Beachum has also become a shrewd businessman, with an injury on the football field actually helping open some of those doors.He was rehabilitating from a torn knee ligament while playing for Pittsburgh in 2015 when he considered getting an MBA from Carnegie Mellon. A chance meeting with John Donovan, CEO of AT&T Communications and a Steelers fan — Beachum sent him a jersey to initiate the conversation — changed all that."He was like, 'Kelvin Youth Sam Darnold Jersey , just think about this: Instead of going to get your MBA, just listen to me and allow me to mentor you and think about business differently,'" Beachum recalled. "And, I took his advice."Beachum went to San Francisco in February 2016 during the week of the Super Bowl and set up meetings with people representing the likes of Facebook, Uber, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, to see how the backend of those companies worked. He visited with venture capital firms and listened to Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana speak about angel investing and early stage investing.Beachum then continued to do more research and began networking — with anyone and everyone.He has since invested in several small-business ventures, with one of his latest being Affinity, which created a smart CRM (customer relationship management) that is "like a LinkedIn on steroids," according to Beachum."It's great to have money, but for me, it's bigger than money," said the married father of two. "What can I hand down to my kids? What can I hand down to my kids' kids? ... In the African-American community, that's not something that you hear about a lot is not only creating wealth, but how do you create generational wealth where you have something to pass down for a number of generations? So for me, that's the type of thinking that really excites me."And, the kid in him also has him dabbling in drone technology. He's fascinated by how companies can use them for business purposes, such as inspecting sites in industrial locations or delivering medicine and supplies to third-world countries."I think drones are kind of that new frontier technology that's out there," he said, "that's going to make the world a better place."That's also what Beachum has been striving to do.One helping hand at a time."I feel like Beach is like a really wise guy, a wise man," Jets teammate Spencer Long said. "He's just got that vibe. He uses his platform really well and what he can do with what he's been given."Beach truly understands the big picture." Clayton Kershaw tossed eight innings of two-hit ball in the Dodgers' second straight playoff shutout, and Manny Machado slugged a two-run homer as Los Angeles beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Friday night for a 2-0 lead in their NL Division Series.The Dodgers used a nearly identical formula to win 6-0 in Game 1 behind Hyun-Jin Ryu, who allowed only four two-out singles over seven innings, and home runs by Joc Pederson, Max Muncy and Enrique Hernandez.Kershaw struck out three and walked none in remaining unbeaten against Atlanta throughout his illustrious career.Los Angeles can sweep the best-of-five series in Game 3 on Sunday in Atlanta, where the Baby Braves will be looking to score for the first time this postseason.MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jhoulys Chacin and the Milwaukee bullpen kept in control, Mike Moustakas contributed two more big hits and the Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies 4-0 on Friday for a commanding 2-0 lead in their NL Division Series.The Brewers won their 10th straight game going back to their impressive finish to the regular season. Erik Kratz had two hits and drove in two runs, Hernan Perez hit two ground-rule doubles and Milwaukee's bullpen closed the door after Chacin delivered in his playoff debut.Game 3 is Sunday at Coors Field. Another win Youth Spencer Long Jersey , and Milwaukee is into the NL Championship Series for the first time since its previous postseason appearance in 2011.BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale struck out eight for his first postseason win, J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer and the Boston Red Sox sweated out their shaky bullpen to hold off the New York Yankees 5-4 on Friday night in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.Sale took a four-hit shutout into the sixth inning. The Yankees loaded the bases in the sixth and seventh, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Aaron Judge homered off Craig Kimbrel leading off the ninth before the Red Sox closer retired the next three batters, striking out Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit for the save.Game 2 in the best-of-five series is Saturday night, with Boston starting another pitcher trying to overcome a history of postseason struggles: left-hander David Price is 0-8 as a starter in the playoffs. He'll face Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka.HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer and the Houston Astros picked up right where they left off last postseason, hitting four home runs to power past the Cleveland Indians 7-2 Friday in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Martin Maldonado also connected for the Astros, who hit a World Series-record 15 homers last year in winning their first championship.Game 2 is Saturday in Houston.OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics plan to discuss a contract extension with manager Bob Melvin this offseason as well as possible new deals with home run leader Khris Davis and All-Star second baseman Jed Lowrie.Two days after the A's lost to the New York Yankees in a wild-card game, team officials began mapping out the framework for 2019 with hopes of capitalizing on the team's first playoff appearance in four years.Signing Melvin, Oakland's manager since 2011, to an extension is high on the list of things to do. He's currently signed through the 2019 season.Davis isn't scheduled to be a free agent until after the 2019 season but the A's are hopeful of getting the slugger inked to a long-term deal before then.Davis led the majors with 48 home runs this year, his third consecutive season with 40-plus homers.Lowrie's situation is more uncertain despite his first All-Star appearance. The veteran infielder hit .267 with a career-high 23 home runs and 99 RBIs and was a key influence inside Oakland's mostly young clubhouse.FOOTBALLFLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets will have to stop the Denver Broncos' offense without their No. 1 cornerback.Trumaine Johnson was ruled out for Sunday's game because of a strained quadriceps. He was hurt during practice Thursday and sat out Friday."He'll be out this week," coach Todd Bowles said. "So we're just going to monitor it after that and see how he's feeling."Bowles would not give any details but did not think it was a season-ending injury.Johnson was the Jets' top free-agent signing in March, giving him a five-year, $72.5 million deal. He has had a mostly inconsistent first four games with New York after spending his first six seasons with the Rams.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers is dealing with what coach Todd Bowles calls a "serious" illness and it's uncertain if he'll be on the sideline for the game against Denver.Bowles made the announcement Friday to end his news conference after the Jets' final full practice before facing the Broncos at MetLife Stadium on Sunday."He's a tough guy," Bowles said. "It's a serious thing."Rodgers and the Jets' other coordinators usually meet with reporters every Thursday. But the team said Rodgers had an appointment with doctors and would speak Friday.However, a visibly concerned Bowles announced Rodgers was sick and wasn't at the facility.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The family of the late NFL star Junior Seau has settled its wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL over the popular San Diego linebacker's 2012 suicide.The confidential settlement comes after the family opted out of the NFL concussion settlement covering more than 20,000 retired players. That plan pays up to $4 million to families of men like Seau, who were found after their deaths to have the brain deterioration chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE.BASKETBALLMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A doctor has found the jailed ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright mentally competent to stand trial.Shelby County Criminal Court judge Lee Coffee said Friday that he's been informed by Dr. Wyatt Nichols that Sherra Wright can advise her lawyers and help with her defense against charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in her ex-husband's slaying.Coffee had ordered a mental evaluation of Sherra Wright.Lorenzen Wright's body was found riddled with bullet wounds in a swampy field in Memphis in July 2010. He was missing for 10 days before his body was found.Sherra Wright and co-defendant Billy Ray Turner were indicted in December. Turner also is charged with first-degree murder. Both have pleaded not guilty.SOCCERCristiano Ronaldo's image is vanishing from the website of a key sponsor. The stock price for his Juventus team dropped 10 percent on Friday.A week after a Nevada woman filed a civil lawsuit accusing Ronaldo of rape in 2009, attempts by the five-time world player of the year and his Italian club to sway public opinion in his favor have not succeeded.Sponsors are continuing to express concern about the case despite a denial from Ronaldo.Meanwhile, Ronaldo is available to play for his Italian soccer team on Saturday.CHICAGO (AP) — Midfielders Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams will miss the United States' exhibition games against Colombia and Peru because of injuries.Pulisic has a torn calf muscle, Borussia Dortmund said this week. The 20-year-old star has played once for the national team since the loss at Trinidad and Tobago last October that ended the Americans' streak of seven straight World Cup appearances.Adams has back spasms and missed the New York Red Bulls' game against Atlanta last weekend.The U.S. has 23 players reporting to Tampa, Florida, this weekend ahead of the match there against Colombia on Oct. 11. The U.S. also plays Peru on Oct. 16 at East Hartford, Connecticut.COLLEGESLINCOLN Authentic Morris Claiborne Jersey , Neb. (AP) — Nebraska running back Greg Bell has left the team and received a release from his scholarship.An athletic department spokesman said Friday night that Bell didn't make the trip for the Cornhuskers' game at No. 16 Wisconsin on Saturday and planned to transfer.Bell started the first three games but lost the job to Devine Ozigbo last week. The junior from Chula Vista, California, had 173 yards on 35 carries for the season.AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte said Friday a university review into possible rules violations found nothing to substantiate claims made in testimony at a college basketball corruption trial in New York federal court.Del Conte issued a statement following testimony this week from Brian Bowen Sr., who testified that his son, Brian Jr., was offered thousands of dollars to play at major programs.Bowen Sr. said that an aspiring agent, Christian Dawkins, told him he could pocket $50,000 if his son played at the University of Arizona, $150,000 at Oklahoma State or $100,000 at Creighton. Bowen said there was some interest from Oregon but didn't recall a cash offer. He also testified Dawkins suggested Texas assistant Mike Morrell, now the head coach at UNC Asheville, could "help me with housing."Asked if he specifically talked with anyone at Texas about "such an offer," Bowen replied no.COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State University has been billed about $1.5 million and counting for the investigation into a team doctor accused of sexual misconduct against scores of athletes and other young men decades ago.Most of that cost is for Perkins Coie, the Seattle-based law firm hired to investigate claims raised this year about now-deceased physician Richard Strauss, according to a list of related invoices provided by the university.The list contains no details about the expenses and reflects invoices only through Aug. 17. The lawyers have indicated they might be able to wrap up fact-finding efforts in the ongoing, 6-month-old investigation this fall.HOUSTON (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a former Rice University football player with selling the drugs that a current player fatally overdosed on earlier this year.Twenty-five-year-old Stuart Michael Mouchantaf was being held Friday in the Harris County jail in Houston on a charge of delivery of a controlled substance causing death.The county district attorney's office says in a news release that 21-year-old Blain Padgett thought he was buying hydrocodone from Mouchantaf but actually received pills containing carfentanil, which was originally made as an elephant tranquilizer and is so potent that a lethal dose could be invisible to the human eye.Padgett, a defensive lineman, was found dead in March by other players after he missed practice.NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Yale women's basketball coach Allison Guth has signed a contract extension through the 2023-24 season.The school announced the deal Friday.Guth is entering her fourth season as Yale's head coach. She led the Bulldogs to a school-record 19 victories last season and the WBI Championship.MISCELLANEOUSPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Charles Barkley has been honored in Philadelphia with a media award.Barkley received the Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award at Temple University on Friday.The basketball Hall of Famer and commentator on TNT's "Inside the NBA" told the room full of journalists to "be mad, be frustrated, but don't stop doing your job and telling the truth."He said he was going to mind the "three B's" in his speech: "be brief, brother." And he did, keeping his remarks under 10 minutes.