GLASGOW -- Chantal Petitclerc has watched the Maple Leaf go up to the sounds of O Canada countless times over her illustrious 20-year career as a wheelchair racer. Monday afternoon, she wore the smile of a proud parent when the Canadian team marched in for the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the Commonwealth Games athletes village. "Its really an amazing experience being here, watching the athletes getting ready," Petitclerc said. "Ive been retired six years now, so its enough distance to actually know what its like, but not wanting to be there myself because Ive done it, but really wishing the best for all of them." The 44-year-old, who won 21 Paralympic medals including 14 gold, is Canadas chef de mission in Glasgow. She led some 100 Canadian athletes plus coaches and staff members into Mondays welcome ceremony. "Its a very new feeling for me, because as you know athletes can be very egocentric. So after 20 years of thinking about myself and my own performance, it is a great feeling caring and wanting the best for all the other athletes," Petitclerc said. Canada is fielding a team of 265 athletes for the Games, and those in attendance Monday, decked out in their white and red Canada T-shirts and white track pants, were all smiles as the Canadian flag was raised and O Canada played. Bal Gosal, Canadas sports minister, greeted the athletes with a handshake. The festive ceremony on a sun-drenched afternoon featured a performance by young singers and dancers, some with fiddles and guitars. Susan Nattrass, a veteran of six Olympics and now five Commonwealth Games, will carry Canadas flag into Wednesdays opening ceremonies. She took the opportunity to mingle with her teammates. "Its such an honour and you want to be very appreciative. And then you also really encourage everyone to enjoy it," Nattrass said. "Its fun. I was talking to the (lawn) bowlers today. And the rugby guys. Its really fun and its really interesting to see and meet with people and hear of their experiences." The athletes village, which sits in the shadow of Celtic Park -- normally home to Celtic FC soccer club and the venue for Wednesdays opening ceremonies -- was abuzz with athletes milling about at the nearby shopping area and hair and nail salon. "Were really excited. The village has been great -- feels like youre at home," said Kate Gillis, captain of Canadas womens field hockey team. The positive vibe was a departure from four years ago when organizers were still rushing to finish the athletes village -- amid complaints of unsanitary conditions -- and sports venues at the Games in New Delhi. An outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, made headlines in Glasgow last week after 53 employees at the athletes village fell ill. But Glasgow officials said the virus was under control, and shut down a temporary toilet facility that was identified as the likely source of the bug. Preparation for Glasgow has been otherwise smooth sailing. There have been no grumblings about venue construction, tickets are sold out for many events, and the athletes have raved about the athletes village. The only minor concern has been about the weather in a country known almost as much for its soggy conditions as its Scotch and its shortbread. But there was no rain in sight Monday as temperatures reached 22 C. And the forecast is even brighter, calling for sunny skies and temperatures that could soar as 26 this week. The Games feature some 4,500 athletes competing in 17 sports over 11 days. Its the only fully integrated major Games, with 22 Paralympic events in five sports. Petitclerc, who carried Canadas flag into the opening ceremonies at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia, won gold over 800 metres at the 2002 Games -- when Paralympic sports were given official status -- and then again in 2006. The welcome ceremony, she said, represented the "last countdown" before the athletes competitions begin. "So every athlete is really trying to focus on their event and getting a little bit of butterflies, so its a very important moment," she said. "At this point, physically, theres not much they can do except for resting, so it becomes a mental situation where youre really trying to find that good place in your head and just be good. "Thats how the village and the team is important because it can provide a home away from home." The Canadian teams goal is to reclaim its traditional spot among the top three in the medal table after finishing fourth four years ago in New Delhi behind Australia, England and host India. 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Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys Online . -- Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has a broken bone below his right eye after being struck by a bad-hop grounder, sidelining the star slugger for at least a week with opening day on deck.TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bays Mike Evans resists labels that describe him as a football player, especially those that shortchange what hes accomplished as part of an outstanding class of rookie receivers lighting up the NFL.The seventh overall pick in last springs draft has been much more than a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Buccaneers (2-12), who have the NFCs worst record and could wind up with the No. 1 draft pick in 2015.Odell Beckham, Jr.s acrobatic, one-handed reception during a breakout performance for the New York Giants in prime time is being trumpeted as the greatest catch of the season. Sammy Watkins has helped the Buffalo Bills move to the brink of their first winning season in a decade. Kelvin Benjamin has compiled an impressive resume with the Carolina Panthers.But arguably no offensive rookie has meant more to his team than Evans, whos already tied Tampa Bays single-season record for touchdown receptions with 11. Thats tied for fourth in the NFL — most by a rookie — and an astounding 44 per cent of the Bucs offensive TDs.Thats kind of crazy, the 6-foot-5, 231-pound Evans said.I expected to do well. ... Im humble, but Im confident in my game, the 21-year-old receiver said. If I wasnt confident, I would have stayed in college. I came out. I thought I had the physicality to be successful. Ive made the transition the way I thought I would.If there was a knock on Evans entering the NFL after spending the last two seasons as Johnny Manziels favourite target at Texas A&M, it was he lacked the speed to be a consistent deep threat. That hasnt been the case despite playing much of the season with struggling quarterback Josh McCown, the NFCs lowest-rated passer.Evans has 13 receptions of 25-plus yards — five more than both Beckham and Watkins, and six more than Benjamin and Jacksonvilles Allen Hurns. He has four catches over 40 yards, matching Beckham, Hurns and Pittsburghs Martavis Bryant, including a 56-yarder for a TD during a seven-catch, 209-yard performance against Washington.Beckham torched the Redskins with 12 receptions for 143 yards and three TDs last week, taking the lead among rookies with 972 yards receiving. Evans is third with 948, four behind Benjamin.With Watkins standing at 850 with two games remaining in the regular season, four rookies are within striking distance of 1,000 for the year. If at least three get there, it would be a league first. The only year more than one rookie receiver finished with 1,000-plus yards was 1986: Bill Brooks had 1,131 for the Colts and Ernest Givins finished with 1,062 for the Oilers.Beckham and LSU college teammate Jarvis Landry, drafted in the second round by the Dolphins, lead all rookies with 71 receptions. Theyre followed by Benjamin (67), Evans (59), Watkins (59) and Philadelphias Jordan Matthews (56). With nine touchdowns, Beckham and Benjamin trail Evans, who has nine in his past seven games following a relatively quiiet start.ddddddddddddGreen Bays Jordy Nelson, whos having a career season, said its difficult to not notice Evans emergence.I havent been able to watch him too much, but Ive seen some of his highlights on TV. Hes obviously a big guy that can make plays. Hes got a huge catch radius, and what he can do after the catch as well, the Packers receiver said, noting you have to be impressed with any rookie with a shot at topping 1,000 yards.I think every rookie receiver, especially drafted early, theyll have their splash games and youll see the talent and the ability thats there, Nelson said. But to grasp an offence and get that chemistry down with a quarterback and sustain it in a season ... its impressive. You can tell that hes put a lot into it and hes got a bright future.Watkins was the first of five receivers drafted in the first round, No. 4 overall, three spots before Evans. Beckham was taken 12th and has blossomed after missing the first four games because of injury. New Orleans Brandin Cook (No. 20) had 53 catches before being lost for the year with a thumb injury, and Benjamin (No. 28) has given Carolina a boost during an otherwise tough season for the Panthers offensively.Its been huge with all the roster turnover in the off-season at that position to have Kelvin cone in as our top pick and hit the ground running from the first game and keep that consistency, Carolina tight end Greg Olsen said.He brings a ton to the table physically, but his mental approach for a young kid has been tremendous. He studies, he wants to do well, he wants to do everything right. Theres a reason hes had success on the field. He works that way, he continues to want to improve. ... The sky is the limit. Hes just going to continue to get better.McCown said Evans undoubtedly has benefitted from playing opposite receiver Vincent Jackson, whos closing in on his third straight 1,000-yard season with the Bucs, sixth overall.Jackson leads the Bucs with 66 receptions, but has only two TDs — none in the past 10 games.Hes a big part of my success. Hes one of the best receivers in the league. I looked up to him and watched him a lot when I was in high school and college. Its surreal to be playing with him, Evans said. Whatever he has to say, I listen.As good as Evans has been catching the football, the most memorable play of his rookie year may wind up being — of all things — a block. Much like video of Beckhams much-talked-about circus catch, Evans blocking and eventually knocking Cincinnatis Terrence Newman to the ground against the Bengals is must-see viewing.It was kind of weird. ... I guess he was upset. I had pushed him right before that and I guess he wanted to (retaliate) and he launched at me, Evans said. It was awkward. He kind of ended up in the air, and I just slammed him. ... It didnt seem like much at the time. Much better on tape.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '