News and notes that I will try to get through without using the words "arrested," "gambling," "indictment" or "doping." Let's see how it goes. ...

Former Buff tight end Quinn Sypniewski may have only caught two passes in his rookie season with the Ravens last year, but he's already got a special following. According to an Associated Press story, Katy Marchman, who attended Ravens camp last week, has decided the tight end is one of her favorite players. The 9-year-old with Angelman syndrome — a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, causes frequent seizures and speech impairment — calls Sypniewski "KA." Said Sypniewski, "She knows who I am, she knows (running back) Musa (Smith), she always gives me a big hug. Just seeing her face light up is the biggest thing for me. It's just kind of been fun having her down here, and knowing she gets a kick out of being here. I'm real fortunate to be one of those people she can connect with, and to have a relationship like that." Just another reason for Buffs fans to root for Sypniewski on Sundays. ...

Holley Mangold is worth rooting for, too. The 17-year-old is vying for a starting spot on the Alter High School football team in Ohio this season — but not as a kicker. The girl is a guard. And don't think for a second she's not strong enough to play with the big boys on the O-line. The 315-pound senior can reportedly bench 265 pounds, squat 525 and placed fourth in the team's annual lift-a-thon. ...

Meanwhile, boys will be boys. New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey was reportedly spotted signing autographs at camp with a purple hand after someone booby-trapped his gloves with the unwashable ink banks use to mark money. Shockey vows to catch the culprit, but so far, he's the only one red, I mean, purple-handed. ...

From football to futbol with a note for Rapids fans: Don't count on David Beckham playing in Sunday's game at shiny Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The English star, who is finally making news for hisactions on the field (one goal, three assists in two starts for L.A.), plans to play in an English friendly against Germany at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night and fly back to the States to play in the Galaxy's game against Chivas USA on Thursday night. I just don't see a jet-lagged Becks playing in Commerce City on Sunday. ...

On the other hand, when the Pittsburgh Steelers do roll into Denver in October, the hotel they're staying at better be ready. The team's 17-page hotel contract rider was posted on The Smoking Gun's Web site last week and it included some interesting demands. Not surprising is that alcohol must be removed from minibars and players can't request it from room service. But, the manifesto also stated that only Heinz ketchup may be provided for meals. Why? A little brand loyalty. The Steelers play their home games at Heinz Field — which the condiment company paid $57 million to name. ...

Not sure what kind of ketchup the St. Louis Blues have at their arena, but they better have a lot of it as they take the All-You-Can-Eat seats to a new level. For the second year in a row, the NHL franchise said it will offer free food and drinks (though no liquor) to every fan at its Jan. 19 game against the Predators. Fans can nosh on hot dogs, chicken fingers, chips, popcorn, peanuts, soft drinks and water from the moment the gates open an hour before the game until the end of the second intermission. "As we continue to rebuild this franchise it remains important for us to embrace our wonderful fans," Blues chairman Dave Checketts said. But, if you continue to feed them like this, how long will you really be able to "embrace" them? ...

Instead of eating, Mike Campbell spent his lunch hour at a YMCA in Denver last week trying to reclaim his, uh, claim to fame. The New Jersey businessman was in the Guinness Book of World Records for making the most free throws in an hour, but recently found out a European had eclipsed his mark with 1,271 makes. After clearing out a pick-up game, Campbell went to work and sank 1,338 free throws. That's a little more than one make every three seconds. Perhaps Pat Riley should give the guy a call and set up a meeting with the Big Fella. ...

Speaking of Shaq, his former teammate and current Timberwolves forward Mark Madsen will spend the next three months rehabbing after having surgery on his right shoulder. A team spokesperson said Madsen was hurt after he had to dive off a jet ski, but I'm guessing it's quite possible he was trying to improve upon the dance moves (and I use the term loosely) he made famous while winning two titles with the Lakers. ...

And finally, while Ohio State came up empty in the NCAA football and basketball title games last season, Scott McIntyre still loves his Buckeyes. So much so that the Ohio State University research associate carefully planted yellow-leafed soybeans amid the green-leafed variety in an unused, four-acre field owned by the school to spell out "OHIO STATE BUCKEYES." That's dedication.

Contact Jennifer Osieczanek at

youngmanj@dailycamera.com