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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 Football Jerseys . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Authentic NFL Jerseys China .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. https://www.nflcheapjerseysfreeshipping.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions.Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell viewed bringing in Greg Hardy for a workout last week as a fact-finding mission rather than an attempt to bolster their pass rush.Caldwell said Monday that the Jaguars didnt intend to sign Hardy after his two-day workout last Wednesday and Thursday but wanted to see him on the field and meet with him so they would have enough information about the free-agent defensive end should they decide to pursue him in the future.It was really to find out more about him so we dont have any questions going into the season, Caldwell said. Theres no what-ifs for us right now. There could have been a what-if Week 3, Week 4 or into the preseason, but we kind of have our questions answered as to our game plan for him.... It was an opportunity for us -- heres a guy that was a franchise defensive end two years ago sitting out on the street -- to bring him in, work him out and try to find out the facts where hes at, the truth behind everything that surrounds him and just do our homework.Caldwell said the team spoke with Hardy about his domestic violence conviction and eventual dismissal as well as events that transpired last season while he was a member of the Dallas Cowboys. However, Caldwell said he wouldnt go into the specifics of what the team asked and Hardys responses.We brought him in and he did a workout, Caldwell said. Its not often you get your chance to put your hands on a player of that caliber to work him out. So well just see where its at. We have no imminent plans of signing him at this point, but it was good to get him in here and find out about him.Hardy, 27, has 40 sacks in six seasons, including six last season. The Cowboys did not renew his contract, and he went unsigned during free agency.Hardy was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season for violating the NFLs personal conduct policy in connection with a 2014 domestic violence incident. He was accused of assaulting theen-girlfriend Nicole Holder; he allegedly threw her into a bathtub and on a futon covered with guns and tried to choke her.ddddddddddddA judge in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, found him guilty on charges of domestic violence in July 2014.Hardy denied the charges and said Holder was under the influence of alcohol and was angry because he told her to leave his home. He appealed the conviction, and the case was dismissed in February 2015 after prosecutors said they were unable to locate Holder. The prosecutors also said Holder had reached a settlement with Hardy.In addition, Hardy stirred controversy throughout the 2015 season with several comments, including saying he was going to come out guns blazing in his return to the field. Hardy also shoved an assistant coach and got into a shouting match on the sideline with Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.Caldwell said he was aware of a potential public relations backlash if the team were to sign Hardy and said that decision would not be made lightly.Domestic violence is a serious issue, Caldwell said. Theres no place for it in the world, let alone the NFL. But I think for us, were going to do whats best for our team. We have 52 players that want to win. We have a coaching staff that wants to win as much as our fan base. Were going to turn over every rock, but not at any price.The