Pelé’s cancer worsens, kidneys and heart affected
SAO PAULO » Pelé’s health has worsened during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication, doctors said Wednesday.
The Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo said in a statement Wednesday that Pelé’s cancer has advanced and that the 82-year-old Brazilian soccer great is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.”
The hospital did not mention any signs of the three-time World Cup winner’s recent respiratory infection, which was aggravated by COVID-19.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is globally known as Pelé, is undergoing chemotherapy in his fight against cancer since he had a colon tumor removed in September 2021. Neither his family nor the hospital have said whether it had spread to other organs.
Kely Nascimento, one of his daughters, said Pelé will stay in the hospital during Christmas.
“We decided with doctors that, for many reasons, it will be best for us to stay here, with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us,” she wrote on Instagram. “We will even make some caipirinhas (no kidding). We love you and we will give up an update next week.”
Wahl’s life celebrated
NEW YORK » Grant Wahl was remembered for his peripatetic life as a sportswriter, pursuit of social justice and lasting impact on family, friends and people he mentored.
Wahl died at age 49 from aortic aneurysm on Dec. 10 while covering a World Cup match in Qatar. A twohour celebration of his life at The Times Center drew several hundred people, including colleagues and soccer officials.
Wahl grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Mission, received a bachelor’s degree from Princeton in 1996 and became a fact checker at Sports Illustrated. He was promoted to writer and covered college basketball and soccer before switching fulltime to soccer.
“Grant really did write to Sports Illustrated in late elementary school to say: ‘My name is Grant Wall and I want to write for your magazine,’” recalled his brother, Eric Wahl. “And he really did get a response that said something like: Dear Grant. Thanks for your letter. That’s cute. Keep writing.’ But the fact that he received a reply stuck with him.”
Popovich, Parker, Nowitzki, Wade among Hall nominees
Gregg Popovich has been at the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony many times over the years, always there to show support for someone on the stage.
Next year, he may be there in a different capacity.
The NBA’s all-time winningest coach — who has quietly declined overtures from the Hall in the past — is among the list of prominent first-time nominees for the 2023 class released Wednesday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Also on the ballot for the first time: Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol and Dwyane Wade. They were all expected; Popovich was the biggest surprise on the list, since it’s never been clear until now when he would allow the Hall to list him as a candidate.
Former Wisconsin QB Mertz to play for Florida in 2023
GAINESVILLE, FLA. » Former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is transferring to Florida, giving the Gators an experienced starter at a depleted position.
Mertz announced his commitment on social media. He is expected to enroll at the SEC school in January.
A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Mertz left the program after the Badgers hired former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to head its program.
Olympic champ Feuz retires
BERN, SWITZERLAND » Olympic downhill champion Beat Feuz announced his retirement from skiing after 16 seasons, saying the classic events in Wengen and Kitzbuehel in January will be his last races.
“Pushing limits and risk has been my passion in skiing for years. My emotion has often been the key to success. Now my feeling tells me: the physical limits have been reached,” the 35-year-old Feuz wrote on Instagram.
The Swiss skier won Olympic gold in Beijing in February.