PITTSBURGH -- Willie James Allen was relaxing at home last Monday night. After a meal, he reviewed materials for the Will Allen Foundations Holiday Giving Program.Then he checked his phone, and the nightmare that began in April 2015 resurfaced. At least 10 messages from friends and family were alerting him that the case of mistaken identity had returned.The former NFL safety saw his playing picture plastered across the Internet next to headlines that said Will Allen was the perpetrator of a wide-ranging Ponzi scheme and had swindled many people, including former athletes, out of millions of dollars.And just like in 2015, his stricken mom was incredulous, asking him how this could happen. She was one of the first to call.And then came the hateful Twitter messages from people telling him to do your time and quit being a criminal, Allen recalled.Allen tried not to panic but admits he was devastated. The whole ordeal felt like a gut kick, he said. His stomach was uneasy. He didnt know what to say. Eventually, he prayed for guidance.Thats what makes it so difficult -- to question my character, Allen, 34, told ESPN.The man who pleaded guilty to federal fraud, conspiracy and money laundering charges is Will D. Allen, the 2001 first-round pick of the New York Giants who also played for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The non-criminal Allen was drafted in the fourth round in 2004 by the Tampa Bay Bucs and also played for the Dallas Cowboys and -- most recently -- the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2013 to 15.When the Ponzi story broke in April 2015, Allen estimates that more than a dozen media outlets used his image to accompany the headlines. As a result, Allen paid lawyers enough to handle various cease-and-desist letters.But when several outlets, including ESPN, featured a picture of Allen the former Steeler with its headline last week, on Nov. 21, Allen decided to sleep on the issue after saying a prayer -- and then he took a few steps to correct it. He took to Twitter to highlight the misidentification and the damage done to his reputation. He posted several pictures of himself doing community work with the message, This is who I am!! Not a criminal!!He also consulted a public relations expert on damage control. He called a few people he trusts for advice.Knowing the problem might consume him if he let it, Allen used last Tuesday to attend foundation meetings and prep for Thanksgiving. In his home, Allen was in charge of deep-frying the turkey and making the greens, for which he has a top-secret Cajun recipe. He marinated the turkey with creole butter sauce well in advance, and then greased it with peanut oil.The widespread misinformation kind of crushed me, Allen said. His life is nothing like the other Allens, yet many wont know the difference.You get all the negativity and [people] can say whatever -- I cant really do anything about that, Allen said. You kind of have to stop and pause for a minute. ... But theres no telling who reads that and how they perceive it. Were in a society where its largely about perception.Allen can handle probes from friends who knew he didnt commit those crimes. But he has also had to quell a few concerns on the foundation trail over the last 18 months, forcing him to explain things anytime someone asks if hes that guy.The Will Allen Foundations latest project is raising $30,000 for gifts for underprivileged children in Pittsburgh, where Allen still lives. The foundation aims to provide programs and resources in an effort to instill hope, remove barriers, promote education, advocate civic responsibility, and change lives in the community. Allen works on his foundation throughout the year and makes public or corporate speaking appearances. Hes staying in shape in case an NFL team calls.Through this process, Allen has learned that some people have no filter. They have jokes, too. When someone broaches the story, Allen politely clarifies. Staying measured is important to him.Ive had to answer a lot of questions, Allen said. Ive tried to do all I can to move on from that.Allen lives downtown with his wife, who tries to calm him but is upset, too. Recently Allen asked out loud around the house, Oh my goodness, what can I do? And heres the thing: Sentencing is scheduled for February. That could produce more headlines.I just want them to get it right, Allen said of media outlets. It would have been easy to look back at 2015 and know what happened.Allen still wants to play football. He tried out for the Giants in October but understands a return might not happen. If its over, Allens career ended on a strong note -- 13 starts, 80 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 13 starts with the Steelers in 2015. The franchise got younger at safety and opted not to re-sign Allen.Talking football prompts Allens one memory of an interaction with the other Allen. Before a game, Willie once approached Will with a joke. Will the real Will Allen please stand up? Willie James Allen said. Diamondbacks Jerseys China . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. 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DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Jeff Gordon had long planned to be at Darlington Raceway this weekend, largely to greet fans and answer questions about his career as a four-time Sprint Cup champion.Gordon now has a more important role this weekend as fill-in driver for injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- gain a victory in the Southern 500 that could lead the Hendrick Motorsports team into NASCARs championship chase.And there may be no better place for the 45-year-old Gordons experience to shine through than Darlington, where hes third all-time with seven victories.Its a track that Im comfortable on and that I like, Gordon said this week. I hope I can put that with a result that this team deserves.It has been a whirlwind summer for Gordon, who was fully vested into his post-Sprint Cup life after making the final four Chase contenders before losing the title to Kyle Busch last November.Gordon enjoyed his role as NASCAR Xfinity broadcaster earlier this season, played a leadership role as an equity partner in Hendrick Motorsports and had some quality time with wife Ingrid Vandebosch and their two children, 9-year-old Ella and 6-year-old Leo.It was balancing out really nicely, all going according to plan, he said.Thats when owner, business partner and friend, Rick Hendrick, asked Gordon to return to the car once more to help an Earnhardt team in crisis. Earnhardt, NASCARs most popular driver from 2002 through last year, was diagnosed with concussion symptoms from a hard crash at Michigan in June and was told by doctors he needed time out of the car to recover.Gordon first drove the No. 88 Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400 in July, finishing 13th. Gordon raced the next three events ending at Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks ago where he was 11th, his best relief showing.After missing last weeks summer race at Michigan -- he had a previous commitment and felt it wasnt fair to the team not to devote his full attention to racing -- Gordon is back at the Lady in Black, an egg-shaped oval only David Pearson (10 wins) and the late Dale Earnhardt (nine victtories) have tamed any better.ddddddddddddGordon said unlike before In his limited Sprint Cup engagement, he feels like he has solid strategies and notes to offer crew chief Greg Ives and the team from his 16th-place finish in 2015 -- what was supposed to be his final ride around Darlington.First time all year I have some valuable notes about the package and what the car should be like, he said. Im hoping that can help me get up to speed and help the team.Gordon took to NASCARs oldest superspeedway almost from the get go. His first win here came in 1995, just two years after he first drove a Sprint Cup car here. He swept both events in 1996, including the Southern 500 to join Bill Elliott as the only racers to capture the Winston Million bonus for winning three of the sports crown jewel events in the same season.Gordons last victory in 2007 may have been the most memorable. He was worried about overheating the last few laps and didnt think hed make to the end. After taking the checkered flag, Gordons radiator blew up in victory lane.There was steam everywhere, he said with a laugh.Gordon has stayed sharp at Darlington with five top-10 finishes in the past seven races there. He believes hes got another strong run in him.Youve got to be willing to really put yourself out there and take that risk at Darlington, Gordon said. You cant be intimidated and you have to respect it.Gordon figured Earnhardt would have returned to the drivers seat by now. He said his former teammate continues making progress, although Hendrick Motorsports has not announced plans for the No. 88 beyond Darlington. Alex Bowman has also sat in for two races that Earnhardts missed.Gordon said the surprise racing stint has not whetted his appetite for more and hell happily head back to his post-racing life on the sidelines once Earnhardt is cleared to return.This weekend, though, Gordon is focused on what hes done so well in his career -- succeeding at Darlington. Camo China NFL Jerseys Disocunt Football Jerseys Cheap NFL Gear Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Authentic Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '