os Angeles turnovers in the crunch-time fourth quarter.She doesnt have to be scoring to help us, but when she does, it makes us that much harder to defend, Moore said. And when shes penetrating, she has suc

David Beckhams story is one that captured the attention of a nation. Whether you liked it or not, living in England during his time at Manchester United, there was no escaping the Beckham brand. He was constantly in the spotlight, hounded by paparazzi and living out his life on the front and back pages of the newspapers. The Beckham brand grew quickly and ferociously as it spread around the world. Of course, having a pop star wife contributed greatly to his celebrity status back in those early days, but now as he announced his retirement as a player on Thursday, Beckham-mania is very much still in effect. The former England captain created as many headlines off the pitch as he did on it, but he leaves behind some fantastic moments that will never be forgotten. For me, there are many memories that stand out - but none more so than the stoppage time free kick against Greece at Old Trafford which secured England a place in the 2002 World Cup. It wasnt just because of the goal he scored, but the journey he had taken to get to that point. He became a national hero, just three years after being vilified for his sending off against Argentina at France 98. So what else will he be remembered for? Obviously his sweet right foot, his incredible passing ability and his trademark free kicks. But for of all his accomplishments during an illustrious career, the one that hits closest to home for us here in North America is the legacy he left behind following his six years in Major League Soccer. When Beckham signed with LA Galaxy in 2007, one of his primary goals was to help grow the league and the game in North America, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he achieved that. As MLS Commissioner Don Garber sums up succinctly, “Now MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived." Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to witness the impact of Beckham first-hand. It was always incredible to see the number of television cameras that would come out when he was visiting Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. The first time he arrived in Toronto as a Galaxy player just after joining the club, I remember being ushered into Air Canada Centre the day before the game for a press conference where he announced he wasnt fit enough to play. Even though he didnt make it onto the pitch, just his presence provided a real buzz in the city. Over 60,000 people turned up in Montreal last season to see Beckham take on the Impact at Olympic Stadium, and the sell -out signs were up at BC Place when he arrived to take on the Whitecaps in July 2012. His presence helped people across North America take notice of Major League Soccer. Sold out stadiums partnered with increased revenue for MLS from corporate partnerships, TV deals and merchandise sales were all immediate benefits of Beckhams arrival. However, perhaps the biggest way Beckham has influenced MLS has been by lifting its profile amongst players around the world. Beckham legitimized MLS as a playing option for many European players and in years since, other big names have followed. Speaking with players who have made the switch and some who are considering it, they all point to Beckham joining LA as the moment in time when they began to take serious notice of Major League Soccer. Beckham is the reason why, overnight, the league took a step up in importance on the world football ladder. At the time of his exit from Major League Soccer, Tim Leiweke who played a major role in bringing Beckham to LA during his time in charge of Anschutz Entertainment Group sad this: "Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport and David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level." There are many people who will be glad Beckhams playing career has come to an end. Some say his soccer abilities were inflated because of his celebrity status, and to a certain extent that may be true. But I do believe this - there is no other soccer player in the world that has ever had as far-reaching impact as Beckham. That doesnt mean hes the best player to ever grace the pitch. Far from it. But he found a way to transcend the sport, and the game benefitted because of that. Jahlil Okafor Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. ETwaun Moore Pelicans Jersey . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. http://www.shoppelicansonline.com/Authentic-Jrue-Holiday-Pelicans-Jersey/ .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Custom New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota guard Lindsay Whalen seemed to have a shiner developing under her left eye after Sundays season-saving Game 4 victory in the WNBA Finals. She shrugged indifferently when asked about it.Part of the game, Whalen said with her trademark flat tone and blank expression. I think everybody on both sides of the floor probably has something. Thats two teams competing.Admittedly, this doesnt sound funny. Yet if you know Whalen, if youve watched her exhibit so much grittiness while maintaining that poker face, if youre lucky enough to have glimpsed the hilarious side of her that family, friends, teammates and coaches see, then you can chuckle at the visual.Its just a tiny slice of everything about her that is just so ... Lindsay Whalen. She couldnt be more Minnesota, which is why shes beloved in her home state. That the Lynx are going for their fourth championship in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET) at Target Center is a big deal. But that home-state hero Whalen has been with the Lynx throughout their six-year run of success has made it even sweeter for fans.Whalen is about getting the job done, not talking about doing it. She might occasionally give an enthusiastic fist pump after a big basket, but for the most part shes just moving right on to the next play.She is never going to let her emotion became fuel for her opponent. Whether Whalen was holding a royal flush or a pair of twos, nobody but her is going to know. Yet when you ask who is the emotional leader of the Lynx, the answer is ... Lindsay Whalen.Her communication is really steady, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. Its thoughtful, firm when it needs to be. But then its also witty. I think thats what her teammates count on from her.And Lindsay is a point guard. When we dont have success, shes beating herself up -- that as the leader, she couldnt get things done. Shes such a thinker of the game. But shes going to focus on the next game or next possession. Shes going to break it down for her teammates. Shes one of the greatest all time.With three WNBA titles and two Olympic gold medals in hand, Whalen clearly has staked that claim. And what Whalen means to this state and the franchise, to her teammates, and also to Reeve -- who laughs and says, I think Im way more volatile emotionally than she is -- is profound.Whalen always seems to bring out the best in the people shes around and the situations shes in.When she is aggressive and leading our train, Lynx forward Maya Moore said, it gives all of us energy and life. Im so proud of her effort; she pours it all out for us every night, and its so inspiring.Or as forward Rebekkah Brunson said in the Lynx locker room Sunday, gesturing over to Whalen, Thats my favorite player right here. I love every part of being her teammate. I love the practice, the travel, the games; I enjoy every minute of it. I wouldnt want tto have anyone else leading our team.dddddddddddd.Last postseason was difficult for Whalen, because by then she was worn down dealing with a lot of pain. She still played in all 10 playoff games in 2015, and had one of the biggest assists of the WNBA Finals against Indiana, getting the ball to Moore for a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that won Game 3.But Whalen didnt feel like her normal self, and had the lowest scoring average -- 6.5 points per game -- of her 11 career playoff appearances between Minnesota and Connecticut, where she was drafted and played her first six seasons.She knew she needed some recovery time, especially with 2016 being an Olympic year. So Whalen didnt play overseas last winter. It was a chance to recharge both physically and mentally.I feel great this year, Whalen said. It was obviously a smart decision. I listened to my body, my coaches, my family about taking a rest and getting fully healthy. It feels good to be able to move and play the way you want to play.It also helped that Minnesota brought in veteran guards Renee Montgomery during the 2015 season and Jia Perkins before this season, which has allowed Whalen to rest more without it hurting the Lynx.Whalen played the fewest minutes of her career this season, averaging 24.6. But she is fresher for the playoffs, rather than just trying to gut her way through them like last season.Her 9.8 PPG in the regular season has improved to 13.6 in the postseason, second to Moores 22.3. Whalen had 13 points, six rebounds and two assists in Minnesotas 85-79 win Sunday. That included baskets on consecutive possessions off Los Angeles turnovers in the crunch-time fourth quarter.She doesnt have to be scoring to help us, but when she does, it makes us that much harder to defend, Moore said. And when shes penetrating, she has such good body control and can get to the free throw line.Whalen always has been fearless going to the basket no matter how daunting the defense looks. It might have been one of those times when she got hit around the eye Sunday. She has taken her share of punishment, including last year when her string of 106 consecutive starts was broken and she had to miss the 2015 All-Star Game after she was poked in the right eye. But her pain tolerance is high, and the bumps and the bruises mean nothing to her.What matters is that the Lynx fended off potential elimination and now will be back home with an opportunity for another championship. Whalen turned 34 in May and knows that everything becomes a little more difficult as you age. But also a little more precious.Yeah, you just dont know how many chances you have left to be in this position, Whalen said. To even get to this point is very hard, because its a great league. So you have to cherish the moment. ' ' '