by Dennis Waszak Jr.

NEW YORK (AP)—Tears welled up in David Clowney’s eyes as he watched a group of Haitian children roam the streets of Port-au-Prince with no­where to go.

Shoeless, shirtless and homeless, they made the New York Jets wide receiver think about his little brother, Jordan.

DAVID CLOWNEY

“Just seeing how these kids who had no families were living was devastating,” Clowney told The Associated Press. “I have a 10-year-old brother and I just can’t imagine him living that way.”

Clowney, who had 14 catches and a touchdown last season, spent three days in Haiti last month as part of a missionary group that included Jets teammates James Ihedigbo and Vernon Gholston and former cornerback Ahmad Carroll. They worked with members of Yele Haiti, musician Wyclef Jean’s charity, to help with the relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake that killed an estimated 230,000 and left 1.3 million homeless in January.

The Pittsburgh Public School District is now working to address a decline in female participation in athletics after a presentation earlier this month by a consultant who conducted an audit of the district’s compliance with Title IX, a law that requires equal opportunities for both males and females in education programs or activities that are federally funded, i.e. high school athletic programs. The audit found that there is a significant difference in the number of female athletes compared to male athletes.

DASHAWNA CAREY, a senior at Perry High School, was the top female basketball player in the city this year.

“We are always looking to improve,” said Michael Gavlik, director of Interscholastic Athletics for the Pittsburgh Public School District. “The school district requested the audit to see where it stood and what improvements needed to be made.” Reluctant to speak, Gavlik added that each school is different and their needs vary, but what remains important is making sure their facilities are maintained and that students are equipped with what they need.

Guests at the 12th annual Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast knew they were in for a treat as the line of NFL players and coaches, past and present, entered the ballroom of the Hilton Hotel April 16.

Being honored that night was Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. Following in Steelers tradition, Ward is known for his efforts on and off the field as a four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and a devoted philanthropist.

STEELERS FOR LIFE—Surprise guest Jerome Bettis, left, with Hines Ward and Mel Blount, share many laughs at the roast.

“I understand what it means to be a true Pittsburgh Steeler,” Ward said. “Being honored at the dinner means something because it reflects what I do outside of football, too. Even though we are not paid to be role models, we are role models.”

(AP)—The calls that every agent with a kid in the draft dreads most are about money.

“The first call is always about taxes,” longtime NFL agent Ralph Cindrich said a while back. “So few of these guys have had after-school jobs that they see their first paycheck and demand to know where the rest of the money went.”

That won’t be a problem with Ndamukong Suh.

NDAMUKONG SUH