WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics big man Al Horford,?responding to criticism for missing Monday nights game in?Miami after the birth of his second child, said Tuesday that he felt it was important to be there for his family.My familys very important to me, said Horford, who welcomed daughter Alia on Sunday. Im in more of a unique situation because this is our first year [in Boston] and my wife, we all moved in the middle of the pregnancy. And [there is] a lot going on. So I just felt like it was important for me to really be there, supporting her. And we have a son as well. So for her, its been a lot thrown at her these past few months.I know that it meant a lot for me to be there with her. ... So Im just very happy that the Celtics really take the time and they consider us not only as players but as people. And people that have families.Horford signed a four-year, $113 million contract this summer and had already missed nine games this season due to a concussion.?When the Celtics announced Monday morning that he would sit out, some fans grumbled on social media. The criticism seemed to diminish when the reason for Horfords absence was revealed.After the game -- a 112-104 victory -- Horfords decision was questioned during a segment on Comcast SportsNet, the broadcast home of the Celtics. Horfords sister, Anna, active on social media, responded swiftly to the criticism.Horford spent nearly all of his five-minute session with reporters Tuesday responding to the fallout.I dont really read into [the criticism]. I dont read Twitter and stuff, and the radio and all that, Horford said. I just kind of focus on the court, on my job here, and then, off the court, on my family.Everybody has their opinion. I respect anything that anybody has to say. I care a lot about the group and our guys. For my familys sake, it was important for me to be there for them. Just with our transition and everything. So thats that. Now I can put that behind me and get focused again on [Wednesdays game against the Pistons].Horford was the third player in the past six months whom the Celtics allowed to miss games for newborns (Jonas Jerebko and Avery Bradley?each welcomed children earlier in the calendar year).Coach Brad Stevens has stressed that family comes before all else for members of the organization.I think our greatest responsibilities are as sons, husbands, fathers. I think thats your No. 1 job, Stevens said. Were thrilled for the Horfords and were thrilled to have Al back at practice [Tuesday] and be ready to go [Wednesday]. Obviously, family is really important.Horford said his teammates were nothing but supportive before and after Mondays game.Added Horford: I was able to watch and I was just very proud with our guys, how they responded. I feel like in our short season already we havent been fully available, all of us, through all the games. Its just impressive to see a guy like Isaiah [Thomas] not making any excuses. And the list goes on. Not only Isaiah. All the other guys, but everybody just making sure they go in and they put in the work. And they dont make excuses.Horford reported that mother and baby are doing well.Everybodys healthy. That was the most important thing, Horford said. And [Alia has] been great so far. Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. NCAA Jerseys China . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. 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NORMAL, Ill. -- Jake Kolbe threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns while Jamal Towns and DeMarco Corbin each topped 100 yards rushing to lead Illinois State past Missouri state 37-0 on Saturday.Towns had 134 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and Corbin had 102 yards on 11 carries. Anthony Warrum had 133 yards receiving off eight receptions and a touchdown.Mitchell Brees and Dalton Keene each picked off the Bears Brodie Lambert once. Illinois State (6-5, 4-4 Missouri Valley) held Missouri Statee (4-6, 2-5) to 77 yards passing and 116 yards rushing, 44 of which came from Lambert.ddddddddddddIllinois State broke the game open in the second quarter when Kolbe threw a 38-yard TD to Warrum. Just more than two minutes later Kolbe connected with Christian Gibbs on a 35-yard score and Sean Slattery made his second field goal of the first half to make it 20-0 at half. ' ' '
