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PYONGYANG, North Korea -- Dennis Rodman apologized Thursday for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized a game with former NBA players. The former basketball star issued the apology through publicist Jules Feiler in an email message to The Associated Press, a day after he sang "Happy Birthday" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game. Rodman has been slammed for not using his influence with Kim to help free Kenneth Bae, the missionary in poor health who is being confined in North Korea for "anti-state" crimes. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Rodman implied Bae was at fault. "I want to apologize," Rodman said Thursday. "I take full responsibility for my actions. It had been a very stressful day. Some of my teammates were leaving because of pressure from their families and business associates. My dreams of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking. Its not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. Its not an excuse, its just the truth." Rodman said he wanted to apologize first to Baes family. "Im very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. Im truly sorry." In the interview, Rodman was asked whether he would raise the issue of Bae during his visit. "Kenneth Bae did one thing," Rodman replied. "If you understand what Kenneth Bae did -- do you understand what he did in this country?" Asked to explain, Rodman declined to respond. Bae, a Korean-American Christian missionary and tour operator based in China, has been detained for more than a year. North Korea sees missionary work as a threat to its authoritarian government. Baes sister, Terri Chung, welcomed Rodmans apology. "I think its good to see him recognize the gravity and the urgency of Kens plight," she said from her home in Edmonds, Washington. "Its nothing he can make light of or play games with." "I just want to make sure that everyone -- not just Dennis Rodman -- everyone knows about Kenneth Baes plight and how precarious it is," she said. The U.S. State Department distanced itself from Rodman and said it did not want to "dignify" his activities or comments in Pyongyang by commenting on them. But spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the department was open to speaking with Rodman on his return. "We have not reached out to him. Weve said before, if he wants to reach out to us, were happy to hear from him and what he has to say," she told reporters. Rodman dedicated the game to his "best friend" Kim, who along with his wife and other senior officials and their wives watched from a special seating area. The capacity crowd of about 14,000 at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium clapped loudly as Rodman sang a verse from the birthday song and then bowed deeply to Kim, seated above him in the stands. Rodman said he was honoured to be able to play the game in the North Korean capital and called the event "historic." Some members of the U.S. Congress, the NBA and human rights groups, however, say he has become a public relations tool for North Koreas government. The governments poor human rights record and its threats to use nuclear weapons against rival South Korea and the United States have kept it a pariah state. Kim shocked the world in December by having his uncle, once considered his mentor, executed after being accused of a litany of crimes including corruption, womanizing, drug abuse and attempting to seize power. Rodman has refused to address those concerns while continuing to forge a relationship with Kim. Rodman is the highest-profile American to meet Kim, who inherited power after the death of his father in late 2011. Rodman has said he is not a statesman and instead is seeking only to build cultural connections with the North through basketball that may help improve relations between Pyongyang and Washington. Along with Rodman, the former NBA players included ex-All Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker. Also on the roster were Craig Hodges, Doug Christie, Charles D. Smith and four streetballers. Wholesale Paul George Shoes . McCutchen was cut before the series opener against Seattle on Monday night, when Lewis was set for his first start for Texas since July 18, 2012. Texas selected Lewis contract from Triple-A Round Rock. Paul George Shoes Free Shipping . -- D. J. Williams finally has his packing strategy down. https://www.cheappaulgeorgeshoes.com/ . They all do actually — Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 22, 2014There is no confirmation that the date is actually happening, but that didnt stop Embiid from getting dressed up. Fresh cut..... 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The Ticats have had the Argos number, winning two of the three matchups between the clubs, which included a home-and-home sweep late in the season (33-19 in Toronto and 24-18 at Alumni Stadium in Guelph). The Argos play their first game of their postseason without their leading rusher Chad Kackert, who won last years Grey Cup MVP. Kackert, who only played eight games as he battled numerous injuries this season, will miss the game with a fractured ankle suffered in practice. His absence leaves the spotlight on quarterback Ricky Ray. Ray, who has yet to lose a playoff game as an Argo, is the 2013 Eastern Division nominee for Most Outstanding Player. He made the most of his limited appearances, putting up 2,878 yards, 21 touchdowns with only two interceptions and setting the CFL completion percentage record, by completing 77.2 per cent of his pass attempts in only 10 games played, having missed eight due to injury. Aside from the absence of Kackert, the Argos have a bevy of toys for Ray to utilize, including a pair of sub-six footers at thhe slot (say that five times quickly if you can) Andre Durie and Chad Owens, last seasons CFL Most Outstanding Player.dddddddddddd Ray also has the dazzling Dontrelle Inman and John Chiles making plays on the outside at receiver. The Argos defence has often been their strength but at other times their Achilles heel; they will certainly have their work cut out for them. The rotating quarterback carousel between Henry Burris and Dan LeFevour with a pinch of Jeremiah Masoli has worked for the Ticats as of late. Burris especially has been on the money against the Argos. In his three duels he threw for a combined 985 of his CFL-leading 4,925 yards, along with six TDs and only two picks. The Ticats look to exploit an Argos defence that is susceptible to damage on the ground. Running back C.J. Gable has rumbled through with a total of 325 all-purpose yards in three contests against the Argos. LeFevour looked to be a secret weapon unleashed against the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final gaining 61 yards including the go-ahead score with a two-yard plunge into the end zone. Samuel Giguere, Andy Fantuz and Bakari Grant have been a physical and efficient group of receivers, all having snatched at least five catches against the Als defence in the Eastern Semi-Final. So who is going to win the Eastern Final and gain not only a chance at the Grey Cup, but bragging rights in what could be another classic in the history of these two teams? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '