Sport-Blog.com

While many people believe that the world of sports should have halted for Hurricane Katrina, it is not in the spirit of the American way of life to stop the nation for a disaster. Athletes have instead continued to play but offered their support to Katrina's victims in various ways.

The National Basketball Association is holding a special game. Many of the game's stars, such as Kevin Garnett, and Dwayne Wade will show off their on-court skills earlier than their seasons when they gather for a Katrina-relief game this weekend. The stars will be on hand at Houston- area shelters where evacuees from the nation's deadliest natural disaster are staying.

NBA players throughout the league are donating money and supplies valued at about $1 million for the game. TNT will air the game for fans at 11 p.m. Sunday night.

Basketball players aren't the only athletes donating their time and money to charity, however. Tennis players are holding a Katrina auction. The United States Tennis Association itself has pledged half a million dollars to relief efforts. Some players, like Venus Williams, have made monetary pledges based on their performance in matches. Other players have donated items for auction, and the proceeds from that auction will go to Katrina relief efforts.

Dominik Hrbaty caught the attention of tennis and non-tennis watchers alike when he donned a pink peek-a-boo shirt with holes cut out on the chest. That shirt will be up for grabs at the auction. Other items include Serena Williams' platinum and diamond earrings, which retail for $40,000. Some stars, like sister Venus and Roger Federer, are offering up their rackets for auction.

Baseball also is honoring the victims of Katrina. Major League Baseball had a "pass the hat" event at all games on Wednesday. They solicited donations from fans in all ballparks where teams were playing, and the league has promised to match fans dollar for dollar up to $1 million.

The Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals honored Benjamin Camp by asking him to throw out the first pitch at their Wednesday evening game. Camp and his family are evacuees from the New Orleans area and are being housed at a temporary shelter.

The National Hockey League will be donating to relief efforts in two ways. The league has pledged a $1 million donation to the American Red Cross, the league will host auctions of players' jerseys at games and donate those monies to relief efforts.

Fans out for the Miami Dolphins - Denver Broncos game this Sunday will be greeted by the wife of new head coach Nick Saban. The Saban family spent five years in Baton Rouge at Louisiana State University, and they are now encouraging people to donate to the relief efforts.

These league-sanctioned and sponsored events do not count the number of athletes who have donated their time and money without any prompting. Numerous athletes have made personal donations to the Red Cross and other organizations and have even gone into the area to help with rescues. Baseball player Curt Schilling and his wife are putting up a family of people who lost their homes, as are other players, like former welterweight champion Vernon Forrest.



By Julia Mercer