Second Thoughts

Careful now, or you might get a bad rap

Snoop Dogg is shown in a June 27 file photo. Snoop Dogg’s son, Cordell Broadus, ended his collegiate football career this week at UCLA, but will stay in school “to do his own thing,” according to sources.
Snoop Dogg is shown in a June 27 file photo. Snoop Dogg’s son, Cordell Broadus, ended his collegiate football career this week at UCLA, but will stay in school “to do his own thing,” according to sources.

It has been an interesting summer for college football players whose fathers are famous rappers in the music industry.

Cordell Broadus, the son of rapper Snoop Dogg, is leaving the UCLA football program after deciding to end his playing career this week. He's reportedly expected to remain at the school as a student.

Tracy Pierson of Scout.com reported that Broadus didn't show up for the team's fall camp and didn't immediately communicate his decision to the school. Sources told Pierson the receiver wanted to "do his own thing" at UCLA after being pushed into the football spotlight by his father.

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports confirmed the incoming freshman's decision to stop playing football.

"Cordell informed me yesterday that he has decided to pursue other passions in his life -- in particular his love of film through his company Film School Productions," UCLA Coach Jim Mora said in a statement on the school's website. "Cordell is an amazing young man with many talents, and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues to pursue his degree at UCLA.

Earlier this offseason, hip-hop artist Diddy was arrested for an alleged fight that involved a kettleball with UCLA's strength coach in June, reportedly over the treatment of his son Justin Combs, a defensive back for the team. Combs hasn't left UCLA, and Diddy has avoided felony charges in the matter.

Also, Naijiel Hale, son of the late rapper and actor Nate Dogg, was dismissed from Washington's team for a disciplinary matter earlier this month. The former four-star recruit saw time as a starter with the Huskies in 2014 at cornerback.

VIRTUAL RUNNING

While thousands of runners descend upon Cape Cod for the New Balance Falmouth Road Race this weekend in Massachusetts, another 100 are planning to compete from the comfort of their home or gym.

Whether they failed to snag a coveted bib or are serving overseas in the military, the displaced runners can grab a tablet computer, hop on the treadmill and take off while watching video of the actual course for Sunday's race.

Falmouth is among the first races to let runners compete virtually from the treadmill, an idea that others are considering to widen their reach and boost revenue.

The goal is to draw runners who can't attend in the flesh. For Falmouth, that includes 3,000 runners who were turned away this year because of size limits, along with others who couldn't travel to Cape Cod.

"This gives them an alternative to experience a little bit about what the race is all about," said Dave McGillivray, director of the storied 7-mile race, now in its 43rd running.

The company behind Falmouth's virtual race, Outside Interactive, is unveiling its technology for the first time Sunday. Treadmill competitors simply download an app to the tablet and are off and running.

Before now, the company specialized in creating videos that whisk runners away from the treadmill to scenic courses in Central Park or the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico.

"It's never going to be fun, but we're trying to make it engaging," said Gary McNamee, founder and president of the company, which is based in Hopkinton, Mass.

Another company, RunSocial, has announced plans to offer a virtual version of the London Marathon next year.

QUIZ

What is Snoop Dogg's given name?

ANSWER

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.

Sports on 08/15/2015

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