(LOS ANGELES) -- A Los Angeles Dodgers star who spent the past seven years playing baseball in the United States while his mom lived in Venezuela saw his dream come true Wednesday night.
Brusdar Graterol pitched at Dodger Stadium in front of a packed crowd that included his mom Ysmalia Graterol.
"My wife actually took a picture of where they were sitting, and then I was able to signal exactly where she was when I was pitching," Graterol said through an interpreter after the game, according to a video shared by Major League Baseball. "[There was] so much emotion going through me, obviously, just happy tears the whole time."
Brusdar Graterol was first reunited with his mom on Sunday, when she arrived from Venezuela after spending seven years trying to get to the U.S. to see her son.
"I was paralyzed in that moment when I first saw her. I didn't really know what to say. I didn't know what to do," he said. "[I] just embraced her as much as I could. And obviously she would say how beautiful I am, how big I've gotten. And then I just remember telling her how it felt like home."
Brusdar Graterol, 25, was born in Calabozo, Venezuela, and made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins, according to his MLB profile.
He said that after working for so many years for his mom to be allowed into the U.S., there was finally forward movement that happened in the last two weeks that brought her to Los Angeles.
"We got a document that helped her get here," Brusdar Graterol said. "We obviously wanted to move this as fast as possible. Luckily, we were able to do it this past weekend."
Brusdar Graterol was brought out to pitch in the eighth inning in Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers, which the Dodgers went onto win 3-2.
He said he was "emotional" until the music started and he prepared to throw his first pitch, which got him to focus back on the game.
After pitching, an emotional Brusdar Graterol was seen hugging a member of the Dodgers coaching staff in the dugout and then both pointing to his mom, who blew a kiss back to her son.
"Me and my mom grew up together. We went through all of it together," Brusdar Graterol said. "She was a mom and dad figure for me the whole time, and I've always wanted to be an example for her and for her to be proud of me."
In addition to watching her son pitch for the Dodgers, Ysmalia Graterol also got to see her daughter-in-law Allison Landa Graterol -- Brusdar Graterol's wife -- and her granddaughter Aria, whom the couple welcomed earlier this year.
Brusdar Graterol said his mom is planning to stay for several more weeks, hopefully through the World Series, which will end in early November.
"She'll be with us for the end of this season and then hopefully she'll be with us to celebrate the World Series," he said.
(NEW YORK) -- "Coach Prime" Deion Sanders has led the Colorado Buffaloes to a winning start this season -- ranked 19th in the nation -- and with it comes a new level of excitement for college football fans.
The head coach for the University of Colorado Boulder joined ABC News' Good Morning America on Wednesday and credited God, first and foremost, who he said is "at the helm of this thing."
"We're just enjoying life. We're getting smart, tough, fast, disciplined like-minded young men, like-minded coaches who love kids and who enjoy the company of kids, and we've created something that is hard to identify and it's hard to really articulate," Sanders said. "It's a beautiful thing from our alumni, from the student body and everyone. It's just pandemonium and we love it."
Sanders has made his new home turf a family affair, coaching two of his sons, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, 21, and defensive back Shilo Sanders, 23.
"His nickname is 'Grown' because he's been grown ever since he was a young man -- he's always been mature," Sanders said of Shedeur.
He added, "We differ so much, but he really thinks he's me right now and that's the problem."
"Coach Prime" said that being surrounded by his family, and team that feels like family, there is "no way that I can even have a remotely bad day."
"I'm here with 120 athletes that I love them to life, I treat them like they're my sons," he said. "But I am here with my sons, three of my sons, two play on the team, one runs social media, and my daughter plays for the CU [women's] basketball team. I am loving life and I love the life I live."
Even Sanders' mother Connie Knight has gotten involved with the fanfare, addressing comments from Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell to fire up the team last game day.
"There was controversy last week because a gentleman we coached against said his mother didn't raise him a certain way -- not to wear a hat and shades in an interview," Sanders -- who has worn both during interviews -- recalled. "That was insinuating that my mother raised me the wrong way. And that rubbed my mother wrong. She wanted to have her say. She said, 'I raised him the right way and also I raised you to be true to who you are. Also, I raised you, if somebody bothers you, to kick some you-know-what."
Sanders and the Buffs have garnered a serious fandom and spurred on Colorado pride early this season, even attracting A-listers like Lil Wayne and The Rock to the sidelines to catch a CU game in person.
For the NFL veteran and eight-time Pro Bowler, Sanders said the biggest challenge of having a dream season is "consistency."
"Everyone's not used to success -- some of the coaches have been coaching with me for 20 years, so we understand this. We understand this and we expect this," he said. "So, getting everybody on the right page to understand that this is real, this is authentic, and when you work your butt off, you study and you prepare, these are the results that you can have."
He added, "We want everybody in the country to start believing in themselves."
(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Wednesday's sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
Detroit 4, LA Dodgers 2
Minnesota 5, Cincinnati 3
Washington 13, Chi White Sox 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas 15, Boston 5
Kansas City 6, Cleveland 2
Houston 2, Baltimore 1
Seattle 6, Oakland 3
LA Angels 8, Tampa Bay 3
Toronto 6, NY Yankees 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 6, Atlanta 5
Arizona 7, San Francisco 1
San Diego 3, Colorado 2
NY Mets 8, Miami 3
Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 2
Pittsburgh 13, Chi Cubs 7
WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Connecticut 90, Minnesota 75
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Philadelphia 2, Charlotte FC 2 (Tie)
Columbus 3, Chicago 0
Atlanta 1, D.C. United 1 (Tie)
Miami 4, Toronto FC 0
Cincinnati 1, CF Montreal 1 (Tie)
Austin FC 1, New York 1 (Tie)
New York City FC 2, Orlando City 0
Houston 4, Vancouver 1
Nashville 3, Sporting Kansas City 0
Los Angeles FC 0, Saint Louis City SC 0 (Tie)
Seattle 2, Colorado 1
FC Dallas 3, Real Salt Lake 1
LA Galaxy 4, Minnesota 3
Portland 2, San Jose 1
(BOSTON) -- An investigation is underway after a lifelong New England Patriots fan died after "an incident" at the Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game at Massachusetts' Gillette Stadium, officials said.
Dale Mooney, a 53-year old New Hampshire man, died "following an incident" during Sunday night's game, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Responders found Mooney "in apparent need of medical attention" and he was taken to a hospital, prosecutors said.
Witness Joseph Kilmartin told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB-TV that Mooney "basically grabbed another fan. ... They started tussling around for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked over. He punched him ... and [Mooney] just went out."
"It was pretty hard to watch," Kilmartin said.
An autopsy has not been released.
The district attorney's office said Monday that Mooney's death "remains under active investigation" and no charges have been filed.
Mooney's wife, Lisa Mooney, told WCVB, "I want to know what happened. ... What caused this?"
Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement, "We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member."
"We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation," stadium officials said. "We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”
(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Tuesday's sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
LA Dodgers 3, Detroit 2
Washington 4, Chi White Sox 3
Minnesota 7, Cincinnati 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Seattle 7, Oakland 2
Tampa Bay 6, LA Angels 2
Toronto 7, NY Yankees 1
Kansas City 7, Cleveland 6
Texas 6, Boston 4
Baltimore 9, Houston 5
NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Diego 2, Colorado 0
Arizona 8, San Francisco 4
Miami 4, NY Mets 3
Atlanta 9, Philadelphia 3
Chi Cubs 14, Pittsburgh 1
Milwaukee 7, St. Louis 3
WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
New York 90, Washington 85 (OT)
Dallas 101, Atlanta 74
(NEW YORK) -- When Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett scored his first NFL career touchdown Sunday against the Chicago Bears, he was seen on camera blowing a kiss to the sky.
The kiss, Barrett later said, was for his 2-year-old daughter Arrayah, who died in April after drowning in a swimming pool at the family's Tampa residence.
"The camera was on me after I made the play. I told her, 'I love you. I miss you. Wish you was here,'" Barrett told reporters after the game. "I'm glad I'm able to still get some spotlight for her, and to the Lord above, because he's the reason that we're here right now. I'm just trusting his plan."
Arrayah was the youngest of Barrett's four children with his wife Jordanna.
She was taken to a local hospital after falling into a swimming pool at the family's home the morning of April 30, but was pronounced dead a short time later despite life saving measures that were taken following the incident, according to a statement from the Tampa Police Department obtained by ESPN.
Barrett, wearing a necklace tribute to his daughter, said Sunday that faith has kept him and his family going in the months since Arrayah's death.
"My faith never really wavered going through this situation. I needed him more now [and then] than I needed him ever," Barrett said. "That was the only way our family was going to make do, by leaning on each other and trusting in the Lord."
Barrett called his interception and touchdown Sunday against the Bears "divine intervention," saying, "I do feel like it was divine intervention to be able to get that spotlight for my baby girl."
"I always played for my family already, but having that extra incentive makes me want to go a little harder for her," Barrett said. "It never stops sucking. It's always going to suck, but at least I'm able to shine a little bit of a spotlight on her."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is a leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4.
Shortly after Arrayah's death, Barrett's wife paid tribute to their daughter in an Instagram post, writing, "Our world will never be the same. Arrayah was the apple of my eye, and my heart will forever be with hers."
Writing directly to Arrayah, she also wrote, in part, "We love you forever and ever and always. I can't wait to see that precious smile again, and just hug you so close. I would do absolutely anything."
In June, Jordanna Barrett shared on Instagram that the couple is expecting another child.
"I just know Arrayah had a special hand in picking this sweet girl to add to our family!" she captioned a photo of a positive pregnancy test. "We are so beyond blessed, so beyond grateful that God chose to give us another little girl! We miss our Arrayah every second of every day, but I rest in knowing she's going to be the best big sister angel to little miss Allanah!"
(CHICAGO) -- Police in the Chicago suburbs are searching for former NFL player Sergio Brown after discovering his mother's dead body following a call from family who reported both missing this weekend.
Family members contacted the Maywood Police Department Saturday after they said they couldn't locate Brown, 35, or his mother, Myrtle Brown, 73, the department said.
Investigators conducted two searches and eventually found Myrtle Brown's body near a creek adjacent to her residence in Maywood, Illinois later that day, police allege.
The matriarch's death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office Sunday, police said. Police also said that as of Monday morning, they had not located Sergio Brown.
Brown, a safety, played for the University of Notre Dame and several NFL teams between 2010 and 2017, including the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN.
On Tuesday, police said they were looking into the authenticity of a video posted on social media that allegedly featured Brown.
"Currently this is an active investigation, and the department is unable to share any further details at this time," the Maywood Police Department said in a statement.
Anyone with knowledge of the incident or information regarding Brown's whereabouts is asked to contact Maywood Police Investigations' Dennis Diaz at (708) 368-4131, or the Maywood Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at (708) 450-1787.
(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Sunday's sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
Pittsburgh 3, NY Yankees 2
LA Dodgers 6, Seattle 1
San Diego 10, Oakland 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Cleveland 9, Texas 2
Toronto 3, Boston 2
Houston 7, Kansas City 1
Baltimore 5, Tampa Bay 4
Minnesota 4, Chicago White Sox 0
Detroit 5, LA Angels 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NY Mets 8, Cincinnati 4
Miami 16, Atlanta 2
St. Louis 6, Philadelphia 5
Washington 2, Milwaukee 1
San Francisco 11, Colorado 10
Arizona 6, Chicago Cubs 2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Atlanta 25, Green Bay 24
Baltimore 27, Cincinnati 24
Buffalo 38, Las Vegas 10
Indianapolis 31, Houston 20
Kansas City 17, Jacksonville 9
OT Seattle 37, Detroit 31
Tampa Bay 27, Chicago 17
OT Tennessee 27, LA Chargers 24
NY Giants 31, Arizona 28
San Francisco 30, LA Rams 23
Dallas 30, NY Jets 10
Washington 35, Denver 33
Miami 24, New England 17
WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Minnesota 82, Connecticut 75
Las Vegas 92, Chicago 70
(NEW YORK) -- The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales was hit with a restraining order in court Friday over a complaint of sexual assault following his allegedly nonconsensual kiss with player Jenni Hermoso at the Women's World Cup final in Australia last month.
Rubiales also faces a charge of coercion after Hermoso alleged she and her relatives were pressured by Rubiales and his office to say that she approved of the kiss.
Rubiales pleaded not guilty to the charges in front of Judge Francisco de Jorge in Spain's National Court.
The judge rejected a request by the prosecution that Rubiales should report to court every two weeks, but he ordered the former soccer federation president from contacting or coming within 200 meters of Hermoso.
"We maintain what we've said from the beginning. It was a nonconsensual kiss," Hermoso's lawyer Carla Vall i Duran told reporters, according to ESPN. "Thanks to the [images of the kiss], the entire world, the entire country, has been able to observe there was no type of consent. And we are going to prove that in the courtroom."
The kiss at the Aug. 20 medal ceremony, which Hermoso has said was not consensual, ignited protests in Spain and around the world, with many decrying sexism in Spanish sports and society and its perpetuation by the male-led leadership of the soccer federation.
Hours after Rubiales' appearance in court, 39 Spanish soccer players, including Hermoso, signed a statement asking for further changes in the soccer federation. "The changes made as of today are not enough to allow players to feel in a safe space, where women are respected," the statement reads.
Rubiales, 46, resigned on Sept. 10 after having been suspended by the soccer international governing body FIFA.
The preliminary investigation was opened by Spain's district attorney after Hermoso accused Rubiales formally on Sept. 6.
The investigation will decide whether the case should go to trial. If found guilty, Rubiales could face between one and four years of imprisonment. Spanish law was amended last year to a so-called "Only Yes is Yes" law, eliminating the difference between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault" and sanctioning any non-consensual sexual act.
Hermoso broke her silence on the World Cup encounter after Rubiales' speech last month at the Royal Spanish Football Federation assembly where he claimed the kiss was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual" and said he would not resign. In a statement later on the same day, the player declared that she never consented.
She said in a statement in August that the "kiss was not consensual" and that she "felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist act," according to ESPN.
"We had the fleeting kiss, two-tenths of a second, but what was created from that is crazy," Rubiales said in a TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan.
As part of the investigation, Judge de Jorge has obtained videos of the incident from "every angle," El Mundo reported.
Spain's deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz said Rubiales's actions were "shameful" and said they showed the systemic nature of male chauvinism in Spanish society.
(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Wednesday's sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
San Francisco 6, Cleveland 5
St. Louis 1, Baltimore 0
Cincinnati 4 Detroit 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
NY Yankees at Boston (Postponed)
Tampa Bay 5, Minnesota 4
Seattle 3, LA Angels 2
Texas 10, Toronto 0
Houston 6, Oakland 2
Kansas City 7, Chi White Sox 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Colorado 7, Chi Cubs 3
Atlanta 4, Philadelphia 1
Pittsburgh 7, Washington 6
NY Mets 7, Arizona 1
Miami 2, Milwaukee 0
San Diego 6, LA Dodgers 1
WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Connecticut 90, Minnesota 60
Las Vegas 87, Chicago 59
(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Tuesday's sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
St. Louis 5, Baltimore 2
Cincinnati 6, Detroit 5
Cleveland 3, San Francisco 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
NY Yankees 3, Boston 2
NY Yankees 4, Boston 1
Chi White Sox 6, Kansas City 2
Kansas City 11, Chi White Sox 10
Texas 6, Toronto 3
Minnesota 3, Tampa Bay 2
Oakland 6, Houston 2
Seattle 8, LA Angels 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pittsburgh 5, Washington 1
NY Mets 7, Arizona 4
Atlanta 7, Philadelphia 6
Milwaukee 3, Miami 1
Colorado 6, Chi Cubs 4
LA Dodgers 11, San Diego 2
(NEW YORK) -- The University of Alabama condemned the behavior of its fans heard shouting racist and homophobic slurs at three Texas Longhorn players during a Saturday night game after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
The video shows Alabama fans behind the Texas sideline at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, shouting the slurs at Black Longhorns players, including defensive backs Jelani McDonald and X'Avion Brice and running back Quintrevion "Tre" Wisner, who appeared to be celebrating the team's performance after defeating Alabama 34-24.
A representative for the University of Alabama told ABC News in a statement on Tuesday that the university is "disgusted" by the incident.
"We are disgusted by reports of vile language and inappropriate behavior Saturday night. To be clear, we condemn this behavior, and it will not be tolerated in our venues. It is not representative of UA or our values," the representative said. "We expect all attendees to act with class and respect towards others."
The statement added, "Fans are strongly encouraged to report issues to our security resources on-site. Gameday and delayed reports are appropriately addressed, and anyone found to be in violation of our rules and expectations will be promptly removed and may be banned from future events."
The university spokesperson declined to comment further when asked if the fans shouting the slurs had been identified.
Representatives for the University of Texas did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
X'Avion Brice's father, Stuart Brice, also responded to the video in a social media post, praising his son for taking the high road and not responding to the slurs.
"Great job son blocking out all the noise. Stay humble," he wrote, along with a photo of his son.
ABC News' Brittany Gaddy contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) -- Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested in New York City on Monday for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, police sources told ABC News.
Porter, 23, was formally charged with assault and strangulation.
On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty and was released on $75,000 cash bail. The judge imposed a temporary order of protection.
Porter returned early Monday morning from an evening out to the Millennium Hilton near U.N. Plaza, where he and Gondrezick were staying. Gondrezick was upset with the late hour of his return and locked the door, according to police sources. Once he entered with the help of hotel security, Porter beat up the woman, the sources said.
Gondrezick told police Porter struck her "repeatedly about the face with a closed fist, causing a laceration above her right eye and bruising and substantial pain to her face," according to the criminal complaint.
She said Porter applied "pressure to her neck by forcefully squeezing it, causing her to experience difficulty breathing, redness and bruising to her neck, and substantial pain," the complaint said.
Gondrezick was taken NYU Langone Medical Center, where doctors said she suffered a fractured vertebrae in her neck.
Porter is due back in court on Oct. 16.
The pair was in New York City for Fashion Week. Porter and Gondrezick were photographed at the Vogue Smart Tox NYFW Kickoff event on Sept. 7.
Porter was drafted with the No. 30 pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of the University of Southern California, but has developed into a star player for the Rockets. He had his best career season in 2022-23 with 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
Gondrezick, 26, played college basketball for Michigan and West Virginia, before being drafted No. 4 overall in the 2021 WNBA draft by Indiana. She played one season for the Fever before being waived. She has not played the last two WNBA seasons and is currently a free agent.
Porter was previously arrested in November 2020 in Ohio on a weapons charge, but a grand jury declined to indict him. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers made him inactive for the first half of the season and he was traded to Houston in January 2021.
ABC News' Mark Osborne contributed to this report.