ANDREW WEBER, USA TODAY SPORTS

Beginning when he was 8, Car-dale Jones would make a briefstop on the way to youth footballpractice. He’d visit a field occu-pied by Ted Ginn Sr., coach ofGlenville High in Cleveland.

Upon Ginn’s command, Jones

would grab a football, throw it toGinn and inevitably hear thesame feedback: “Throw a prettyball,” Ginn remembers tellinghim. “Now get away from me.”

Ginn’s gru� tone, an obviousput-on but perhaps not to a third-grader, did not deter Jones.Throwing the football with Ginnbecame his pre-practice practice.

Ohio State’s Jonesused to waiting

Cardale Jones,who will makehis first OhioState startSaturday, hasmatured since arocky start,coaches andteammates say.

Daniel Uthman@TheFootballFourUSA TODAY Sports

v STORY CONTINUES ON 2C

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 C SECTION CTribute to NASCAR champ

CRAIG BAKSTAD

USA SNAPSHOTS©

Tar Heel timeNCAA Division I women's soccer will crown its 2014 champion on Sunday. Most appearances in the finals:

Source NCAATESS QUINLAN AND KARL GELLES, USA TODAY

North Carolina

Notre Dame

ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut

UCLA

2424

88

44

44

SPORTSLINE

FIRST WORDI LAUGH. NO, I THINKIT’S SILLY. BECAUSE

IT’S A RUMOR, IT’S NOT THETRUTH. I THINK THINGS THATARE FALSE ARE SILLY.”Eagles coach Chip Kelly, talking toNFL.com about speculation thathe’ll be Florida’s next coach.

TODAY’SNAMES TOKNOWJAMEIS WINSTON,BRIAN HOYER, LAUREN HILL,C.J. SPILLER

MAGIC NUMBER

$10.5 millionValue of one-year contract between the Twins and outfielderTorii Hunter.

TWEET OF THE DAY@GatorZoneFBWE’VE HAD VERY

PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONSWITH COACH McELWAIN ANDHIS WIFE KAREN AND THOSECONTINUE. Florida’s official Twitter account,on its football coaching search.

ALMOST LASTWORD“WE’VE GOT ASAYING ATNAVY: ‘NOEXCUSES, NO-BODY CARES.’THAT’S THEWAY I FEELABOUT IT.”

Navy athletics director ChetGladchuk, refusing to acceptArmy’s explanation of beingfogged and iced in and unableto travel to promote this year’sArmy-Navy game in person.Army’s AD, coach and two playerswere available by teleconference.

LAST WORD“THE LAST THING I WOULDWANT TO DO IS HAVE TO SITON MY HANDS, OF NOT BEINGABLE TO PITCH IN THE POSTSEASON. WHATEVERNEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET USTHERE, I’M ALL FOR.”Mets pitcher Matt Harvey, who isreturning from elbow surgery.

Edited by Reid Cherner

KELLY BY DERIK HAMILTON, USA TODAY SPORTS

HILL BY LIZ DUFOUR, THECINCINNATI ENQUIRER

MCELWAIN BY RON CHENOY, USA TODAY SPORTS

GLADCHUKBY ROBERTO BOREA, AP

Labor of love: Replicacars for titlists filledwith detail, 4C

ST. LOUIS Time and again, ath-letes are told they should be rolemodels. That people — youngpeople in particular — are watch-ing their every move, and theyshould act accordingly.

Jared Cook and his St. LouisRams teammates did exactly that.

And for that they’ve been criti-cized as if they themselves hadburned buildings and looted busi-nesses in Ferguson, Mo.

“I think our message got mixedup a little bit,” Cook said afterpractice Wednesday. “It’s not justabout Ferguson. It’s a messageworldwide for young adults, andfor everybody, that you can pro-test and do things peacefullywithout getting out of line.”

When Cook, a tight end, and

wide receivers Tavon Austin,Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt andChris Givens came out for Sun-day’s game with their arms raisedin the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot”gesture, they did it as a show ofsupport for the peaceful protes-ters in Ferguson.

Ferguson is only about 10miles from the Rams practice fa-cility, and the players were astroubled as anyone by the rageand violence that has engulfed

JASEN VINLOVE, USA TODAY SPORTS

JEFF CURRY, USA TODAY SPORTS

Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt stand by their gesture in support of Ferguson, Mo.

“Why would you turn somethingso beautiful and turn somethingthat’s so positive into somethingnegative?”St. Louis Ram Jared Cook

NOTHING TO REGRETGestures suchas the one Ramsplayers madeare necessary

Nancy Armournarmour@usatoday.comUSA TODAY Sports

v STORY CONTINUES ON 2C

MINNEAPOLIS Brett Brown is theson of a coach, a product ofsouthern Maine who played forRick Pitino at Boston Universitybefore becoming a coaching liferhimself.

Last year, he left the comfort ofthe San Antonio Spurs bench,where he assisted Gregg Popo-vich for seven seasons, to take onone of the NBA’s most challeng-ing head coaching jobs — rejuve-nating the Philadelphia 76ers.

He endured a 26-game losingstreak his first season, the tradingof most veterans of significanceand the influx of so many first-

and second-year players that onopening night the Sixers trottedout the NBA’s youngest roster(23.97 years) for the second con-secutive season. The Sixers losttheir first 17 games as critics ac-cused ownership of tanking theseason.

Wednesday morning, at theteam’s upbeat and relaxed shoot-around, Brown insisted that firstvictory was close.

“We’re getting better,” he said.That victory, unsightly as it

was — including a nine-point sec-ond quarter — came Wednesdaynight. By beating the equallyyoung and undermanned Minne-sota Timberwolves 85-77 at theTarget Center, the Sixers avoidedtying the Nets’ NBA-worst 0-18start in 2009.

Philadelphia committed 19turnovers and shot 39% from thefield but hung on. The 76ers cele-brated in low-key style with high-fives and hugs.

“We have the youngest team inthe history in the sport,” Brownsaid. “We have the team with theleast experience in the history ofthe game. It’s not a great combi-nation. And so we’re here to de-velop, to identify players that canbe keepers.”

Said point guard Michael Car-ter-Williams, who had 20 points,nine assists and nine rebounds:“Our motivation is us coming inhere working hard every day anddeserving to win a game for howhard we all work.

“The record doesn’t meanmuch to any of us.”

In 18th game, 76ers finally win firstPat Borzi@BorzMNSpecial to USA TODAY Sports

BRACE HEMMELGARN, USA TODAY SPORTSMichael Carter-Williams sparkedthe 76ers with 20 points.

4C SPORTS USA TODAYTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NASCAR

NFL

When Kevin Harvick took thecheckered flag to win the SprintCup title at Homestead-MiamiSpeedway, Mike Dunlap gave a ti-ny cheer.

It wasn’t because he was aNASCAR fan pulling for Harvick,though Dunlap will help presentthe reigning champion with akeepsake Friday — a 24-karatgold-plated 1⁄12-scale model ofHarvick’s No. 4 Chevrolet.

This rooting interest was moti-vated by the stringent deadlinesof producing the handcrafted tro-phy commissioned by Goodyear.

If the championship hadn’tbeen captured by Harvick, whomDunlap had zeroed in on as a pro-hibitive title favorite along withJe� Gordon, it would have addeddozens of hours to a laboriousprocess that demands months ofpainstaking attention to detail.

“It would have been question-able if we could have gotten thecar done in time,” Dunlap, 64,

told USA TODAY Sports. “I be-lieve we would have, because Icould have slept three hours in-stead of five hours a night.”

There have been many NAS-CAR all-nighters over the lastthree decades for Dunlap, a na-tive of Toledo, Ohio, who hasbeen constructing the gold-platedmodel cars for the champion ofthe premier series since 1985.(Because of a scheduling conflictin engraving, Rusty Wallace re-ceived a crystal car in 1989 thatlater was replaced with gold.)

Darrell Waltrip was awardedthe first edition of Goodyear’sprized trophy, and Harvick willreceive the 30th before NAS-CAR’s awards ceremony at theWynn in Las Vegas. It has becomeone of the emotional and signa-ture moments of a celebrationmarked by its perfunctory pompand circumstance.

“When you watch the reactionof driver, crew chief and owner,they sincerely appreciate receiv-ing a trophy like that,” Goodyeargeneral manager of racing StuGrant told USA TODAY Sports.“Mike has made the car more de-

tailed as years have gone by. Theinclusion of the small details —the location of the seat belts, thewater bottle, the complete decalpackage, even the antenna on theroof — make it unique.”

“It’s the coolest trophy ever,”six-time series champion JimmieJohnson told USA TODAYSports. “I have one in my o�ce atmy house. (Team owner Rick)Hendrick has ended up with one.And then the others, I have them

still in the wooden boxes them-selves, because they’re worth somuch dang money, I don’t knowwhat to do with them.”

Goodyear declines to assign avalue (because the tire supplierconsiders the prize a work of art),but the car is easily worth six fig-ures, and Harvick’s model repre-sents a record for time investedby Dunlap, who normally spendsabout 650 hours on the trophy.

Because of NASCAR’s new

Chase for the Sprint Cup format— which kept the championshipup for grabs among four driversentering Homestead — it tookroughly 800 hours this year.

Entering this year’s penulti-mate race at Phoenix Interna-tional Raceway, there were eightdrivers eligible and none guaran-teed a championship-roundberth. It required exhaustive con-tingency plans; for the first time,Dunlap built a chassis and rollcage for a Chevy, Ford andToyota.

Dunlap’s work begins with pre-liminary work in June on the ge-neric parts that fit all makes. Theheavy lifting begins in Septemberwith surveying the brand and siz-es of seats and headrests, whichvary by driver. Much of the interi-or also isn’t standardized withdi�erent dimensions and loca-tions for gauges, padding andswitches.

Capturing the precious detailsis worth it for Dunlap, the son of aWorld War II fighter pilot whofell in love with building modelswhile watching his father assem-ble miniature versions of theP47s and P51s he flew. During anightly festival of glue and paintat the kitchen table, Dunlap saidhis father taught that “patiencewill produce a more satisfyingresult.”

It doesn’t figure to get any easi-er with the revamped Chase.

“With the new format, it madethe building a lot more challeng-ing. It will mean a lot of sleeplessnights for Mike,” Grant said.

At his home studio in Denver,N.C., Dunlap will be ready. “We’venever missed in 30 years,” hesaid. “I don’t intend to miss now.”

Contributing: Je� Gluck

TROPHYCREATORFACED TEST

DOREEN SUGIERSKI

Cup champs have gotten Mike Dunlap car replicas since 1985.

Format overhaul narrowed time frame

Nate Ryan@nateryanUSA TODAY Sports

MLS

Robert Kraft has one issue, andit has nothing to do with TomBrady’s health, the New EnglandPatriots defensive line or Sun-day’s loss at the Green BayPackers.

Kraft’s prevailing concernWednesday was negotiating thepaperwork required for helicop-ter flight patterns in SouthernCalifornia, the only obstaclethreatening to disrupt a freneticand potentially fruitful Sunday.

The 73-year-old Patriots chiefalso owns the New England Rev-olution, who will battle for theMLS Cup title against the Los An-geles Galaxy on Sunday. WithMajor League Soccer’s showpiecekicking o� at 3 p.m. ET, Kraft willhave little time to spare betweenthe contest ending and Brady’sbunch visiting the San DiegoChargers 120 miles south at 8.30.

“I will definitely be at MLSCup,” Kraft told USA TODAYSports via telephone. “I am plan-ning to get to San Diego, too, aslong as we get the helicopterpermits.”

Naturally, Kraft gets far less at-tention for his soccer involve-ment than for his NFL exploits.The Revolution will be seekingthe first title in their 18-year his-tory. Kraft’s ownership has occa-sionally generated criticism fromfrustrated fans, with some insist-ing his focus is too squarelytrained upon the gridiron.

However, such complaintsshould be put to rest now, and not

because of Kraft’s planned chop-per flight down the Californiacoastline. The driving force be-hind the Revolution reaching theMLS final was Kraft agreeing topay U.S. World Cup star JermaineJones $3 million this summer.

Jones became the Revolution’sfirst “designated player,” the MLSmechanism that prevents the fullsalary of a star player countingagainst the cap.

“We have always resisted get-ting fancy names who would justbe a nice moniker,” Kraft said.“We wanted the kind of player tohave an impact both on the fieldand in the locker room.”

The Revolution went 8-1-1 toclose out the campaign, and, op-erating in a free-flowing, attack-minded role, Jones provided aperfect complement to all-actionmidfielder Lee Nguyen, a finalistin the league’s MVP voting.

Jones is the kind of player whois beloved by his fans and oftendetested by those of his oppo-nents, a reputation he has noproblem with.

“I love it a little bit when peo-ple start to hate me,” Jones said.“What people say about me Idon’t care so much, I can takethat.”

For Kraft, a victory Sundaywould be the highest point of anunderstated but admirably longsoccer journey, with his familyhaving owned the Revolutionsince the inception of MLS.

“It is an important game forthe Patriots, and San Diego is atough team,” Kraft said. “But ifwe win the MLS Cup and I amthere celebrating with our team …well, I might be a little late.”

WINSLOW TOWNSON, USA TODAY SPORTS

Revolution owner Robert Kraft, left, says of designated playerJermaine Jones, “He’s made everyone else raise their game.”

Kraft nears titlein other footballMartin Rogers@mrogersUSATUSA TODAY Sports

Jessie James Decker is very fa-miliar with the spotlight. Thecountry artist released her firstalbum in 2009 and has gone on tostar with her husband, New YorkJets wide receiver Eric Decker, intheir reality series, Eric & Jessie:Game On. She sat down with ForThe Win to discuss what life as aJets fan has been like and to pickWeek 14 games in our recurringCeleb Pick ’Em series.

If you had to write a songabout the Jets season, whatwould you call it? “I wouldwrite a song called It’s Going ToGet Better. It has to get better,right?”

What do you think of Jetsfans? “I heard Jets fans werereally tough on you and fiery. ...And they are.”

Who is the Rex Ryan ofcountry music? “Blake Shelton.... He has a lot of personality andvery vocal.”

What type of country fash-

ion do you think NFL fansshould borrow? “There’s alwaysthis misconception that all of

country music is cowboy hats anddenim. But I would say that itwould be really cute if everyonestarted wearing cowboy bootsand jerseys to games. Countrymusic looks like Eminem now.They’re all wearing baggy jeansand chains now and backwardscaps. They look like Limp Bizkitnow and not George Strait. It’scalled Bro Country.”

Who would be on your foot-ball team if you had to usecountry artists? “I would putTrace Adkins at quarterback, be-cause he’s like 6-foot-7. Luke Bry-an would be a tight end. For areceiver, I would have the FloridaGeorgia Line guys. On defense,probably Toby Keith, because he’sa big, tough guy. Running back,let’s throw Billy Currington inthere.”

You performed the nationalanthem at a Jets game earlierthis year. What are your emo-tions like when you sing theanthem? “Singing the nationalanthem is definitely the most ner-vous I ever get. I’ve been singingthem since I was 9 years old. I getso nervous to the point where Icould throw up because I care somuch about the song and I wantto do it right. But as soon as it’sdone, I’m at an all-time high.”

KATHY WILLENS, AP

“Singing the national anthem is ... the most nervous I ever get,” Jessie James Decker says.

Singer upbeat on JetsDecker sees husband’steam getting better

Mike Foss@themikefossUSA TODAY Sports

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