Like a series of foxtrot steps, the progression came quickly for Jason Taylor: from “Dancing With the Stars” to dining with the stars.
Among the rewards already reaped by the Miami Dolphins defensive end thanks to his “Dancing” success was a lunch date two weeks ago with Denzel Washington. They met at a sushi restaurant in Hollywood and spent 2½ hours discussing football, acting and the similarities between the two.
“What an outstanding guy,” Taylor says. “I lost track of time sitting there talking to him and ended up being an hour and a half late for dance rehearsal. My partner wasn't too happy.”
Washington was on his way to a meeting with Al Pacino, and Taylor reluctantly declined an invitation to join them.
Maybe next time. All signs suggest Taylor's showbiz career is only beginning.
It won't end with this season's final episode of “Dancing With the Stars” tomorrow. Taylor, one of the show's three finalists, will catch a red-eye flight out of Los Angeles that night for an appearance Wednesday on “Good Morning America” and then “Live With Regis and Kelly.”
He'll dance for the last time tonight along with the other finalists, Kristi Yamaguchi and Cristian de la Fuente, and the champion will be announced tomorrow.
TRIVIA TIME
What current NBA studio analyst for the TNT network started for the Houston Rockets during the 1994-95 season?
WHAT'S IN A NUMBER?
Wearing No. 33 for the Indianapolis Colts could be a costly proposition next season.
Dominic Rhodes is willing to pay to get his old number back. Melvin Bullitt isn't sure the offer, or any offer, is worth it.
Rhodes spent his first six NFL seasons with Indianapolis, culminating in a 113-yard rushing performance in the Colts' Super Bowl victory over Chicago – while wearing No. 33.
But when Rhodes signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders last summer, the Colts gave the number to Bullitt, an undrafted rookie from Texas A&M who made the team.
Now that Rhodes has returned for his second stint, he wants the number back.
The number also carries sentimental value for Bullitt, who switched to No.
33 his senior year in college because his father wore it as a player at Texas A&M.
“It's how I remember him,” Bullitt said. “A lot of guys are like, 'Why don't you just give it up?' But there's more to it than just a few bills.”
DID YOU KNOW?
On this date in 1910, Cy Young won the 500th game of his career as the Cleveland Indians beat the Washington Senators 5-4 in 11 innings.
PARTING SHOTS
Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle:
“Maybe all that secret filming didn't give New England an unfair edge. Still, you can't ignore the fact that the Patriots seemed to know exactly what the Chargers cheerleaders were going to cheer before they cheered it.”
“In the latest USC scandal, somebody apparently got money and goodies under the table, and O.J. Mayo is the prime suspect. O.J. says it wasn't him, and he vows to spend the rest of his life searching for the real freeloaders.”
QUOTABLE
Annika Sorenstam went on Letterman last week and presented her “Top Ten Reasons” for retiring. A sampling: 1. “Became less interested in aiming at green and more interested in aiming at spectators.” 2. “I want to spend more time with Brett Favre's family.” 3. “I just want a job where I can sit in a cubicle instead of being stuck on a golf course all day. ”
TRIVIA ANSWER
TNT's Kenny Smith started at guard for the Houston Rockets in 1994-95, averaging 10.4 points per game.
– COMPILED BY P.K. DANIEL; FROM NEWS SERVICES, ONLINE REPORTS
