Ali pens prayers for Norway

Muhammad Ali felt the sting in the 1960s from those who couldn't understand why he would change his name from Cassius Clay to one associated with his new Muslim faith.

Most of those feelings changed over time as Ali transformed from a controversial figure into one almost universally beloved.

So when he speaks about the July 22 tragedy in Norway, Ali carries credentials few others hold. Anders Behring Breivik admitted to killing 77 people in an attempt to send an anti-Islam message across Europe.

Ali wrote an open letter to Norwegians, expressing pain over what occurred in their country.

"I see the same wishes for our children to have happy, healthy lives; I see the same concerns for others less fortunate than ourselves; I see the same desire for peace and dignity," Ali wrote.

As for the killer, Ali said he and those like him who commit acts of violence in the name of religion "fail to understand that we share far more with our fellow beings than those aspects that set us apart."

■ OUR NEW FAVORITE TEAM -- The Texas Rangers nearly won it all last season, reaching the World Series before losing to San Francisco.

Maybe it's time for America to get behind the Rangers to go all the way. They have, after all, banned the wave at their ballpark.

Sort of. Well, not really.

The wave is still allowed, but the Rangers -- in a humorous way -- are making clear it's not welcome. After fielding a number of complaints from fans about the wave being a distraction, the Rangers began posting on its message board that surgeons have determined the wave causes injuries.

"In addition," the "warning" continues, "any children doing the wave will be sold to the circus. Do not do the wave in the ballpark, doing the wave is safe at pro football games and Miley Cyrus concerts."

Hey, don't drag the NFL into this. Maybe the Rangers shouldn't be America's team.

■ NO STAR FOR YOU -- The Dallas Cowboys, and especially coach Jason Garrett, take the star on the side of the helmet seriously. Garrett, in fact, won't let any rookie wear the star until he has earned it.

"The star is very important to us," he said, according to ESPN.com. "The star is an international symbol. It's the Dallas football Cowboys. ... The star means something."

International symbol? Dallas football Cowboys? Exhibit No. 2,013 of why so many people dislike the Cowboys.

■ IF THESE FIELDS COULD TALK -- ESPN.com's Pat Forde revisits college football's most amazing plays, and "quotes" the yard lines where they took place.

There was the 8-yard line at the 2006 Rose Bowl, where Vince Young scored from to beat Southern California for the national championship. And the 50-yard line at the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where Boise State forced OT with a stunning touchdown.

Forde even quoted Baylor's 1-yard line, where in 1999 UNLV forced a fumble and Kevin Thomas returned the loose ball 99 yards for a touchdown as time expired to stun the Bears, 27-24.

"Oh my gosh, do y'all have to bring that up again?" the yard line said. "It's 12 years ago, and it's still the saddest thing I've ever seen -- and trust me, partner, we know sad here at Baylor."

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL