Elizabeth Merrill Archive

Elizabeth Merrill | email

Senior writer for ESPN.com
Formerly at "The Kansas City Star" and "The Omaha World-Herald"

Merrill: Flair still adores the attention
He's officially retired, but at age 60, Ric Flair is still making the rounds. He makes appearances. He signs autographs. And more than anything, he doesn't want you to forget him, writes ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill.
Apr 15 11:26 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Curry's work ethic a plus
Aaron Curry didn't like being projected as a third-rounder during his junior season, so he worked even harder and is now considered the top outside linebacker in this year's NFL draft.
Apr 1 1:39 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Changing the games for Hispanic girls
National studies show that Hispanic girls account for some of the lowest participation rates in high school sports. Socioeconomic factors and family demands are at play. In Lexington, Neb., they're addressing the challenge.
Mar 25 4:18 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Smith looks to redeem his status
Only time will tell whether Alabama tackle Andre Smith can manage to erase the stigma of his abrupt departure from the NFL combine.
Mar 18 2:34 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Cassel is Chiefs' next hope
Kansas City is ready for Matt Cassel, but is Matt Cassel ready for Kansas City? Does he know what he's getting himself into? ESPN.com senior writer Elizabeth Merrill says Chiefs fans are hopeful.
Mar 7 1:41 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
CU's Walton kept his cool
Claude Walton was the first black letter winner at the University of Colorado at a time when there were only six minority students on campus.
Mar 2 5:30 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Jones a role model for young swimmers
Cullen Jones was 5 when he headed down a water ride at an amusement park and nearly drowned. Today, using his stature as an Olympic gold medalist, he's encouraging other African-American kids to learn to swim.
Feb 20 6:57 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Convicted stalker arrested following ISU athlete
A man convicted of stalking was arrested again for allegedly following an Indiana State athlete.
Feb 9 9:04 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Harrison gives Steelers a 'scary' presence
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has a kinder, gentler side, but you won't see it at the Super Bowl. ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill explains why.
Jan 29 11:07 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: The lessons of Chuck Noll
Chuck Noll is the only NFL coach to win four Super Bowls. So why isn't this Steelers legend caught up in the fanfare, glory and national attention? ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill explains he's not that type of man.
Jan 22 8:28 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Falcons coach just an everyday man
In his first season, Mike Smith has led the Atlanta Falcons to an 11-5 regular-season finish and a trip to Arizona for the playoffs. And as ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill writes, he's done it the old-fashioned way, by earning his players' respect.
Jan 2 5:29 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Lions fans struggle alongside their city
A depressed auto industry, a limping economy, a winless team. As ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill writes, Lions fans aren't faring well with all this losing.
Dec 18 3:08 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
AFL status raises questions for players
The Arena Football League has not suspended the 2009 season at this time, but questions surround the future of the league -- especially in these tough economic times.
Dec 11 7:25 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Jags' Collier rebuilds strength, spirit
Richard Collier was gunned down in his SUV three months ago. He lost his left leg and is paralyzed from the waist down. Still, he tells ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill that playing in the NFL was a dream. "It was short-lived," he says, "but I lived it."
Dec 9 11:22 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Livin' large ain't easy for an NFL big man
Bills tackle Langston Walker, Browns defensive lineman Shaun Smith and Chiefs guard Brian Waters explain to ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill what life is like as a plus-sized man in the NFL.
Nov 27 9:54 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Winslow is latest chapter in Browns' mysterious staph story
The Kellen Winslow saga is just the latest in a series of troubling staph infections that has plagued the Browns for nearly a decade. It's a mystery, writes ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill.
Oct 27 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Villanueva saw NFL as path to opportunity
Former NFL kicker Danny Villanueva played in the game known as the Ice Bowl. Now, at age 70, he reflects on a successful business career and the competitive spirit that motivated him.
Oct 13 1:10 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: What's eating at Vince Young?
Adored at Texas and booed in Tennessee, Vince Young is a quarterback on display. ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill explores what friends and advisers say about the Titans quarterback who has been described as being "emotionally down" and disenchanted with football.
Aug 6 5:23 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Eagles' Castillo honors his past
Juan Castillo has faced many hurdles on his journey to fulfilling his dream, and the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line coach says he never wants to forget the challenges along the way.
Sep 15 8:08 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Charges in Wilson hazing reduced to misdemeanor
The boys accused in the Wilson High School hazing case will not face felony charges.
Aug 29 7:35 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: The absolute best and worst two weeks of Hugh McCutcheon's life
There may be no way to sum up the past 15 days, the absolute worst and best of Hugh McCutcheon's life, other than to say he's now an Olympic champion.
Aug 24 5:01 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Ping's emotional return to China ends with surprising medal run
Inside a special old haunt where Lang Ping once played, it could be said the U.S. women's volleyball coach had the best of almost everything. But by the end of it all, she seemed ready to escape the fanfare.
Aug 23 7:59 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Taormina has no regrets about latest Olympic run
Sheila Taormina may not remember the Beijing Olympics as being the most fun experience of her life, but the modern pentathlete takes comfort in knowing she didn't quit.
Aug 22 5:54 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill

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Elizabeth Merrill Archive

Elizabeth Merrill | email

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