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Manhunt Under Way after Troopers Shot; NFL Star Adrian Peterson Out on Bail; NFL Commissioner: "Ray Rice Misled Me"; Kerry in Egypt for Talks on ISIS; Palins at Party where Fight Broke Out; CNN Takes Part in Triathlon for Charity; American Journey in the National Archives

Aired September 13, 2014 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the 11:00 hour of NEWSROOM starts right now.

Two state police troopers are gunned down in an ambush just outside their barracks. One trooper is dead, the other in stable condition. Now a manhunt is under way in three states.

And who else will help America destroy on ISIS? Secretary of State John Kerry pushing for international support this morning in Cairo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: The bottom line is that terrorists like ISIL have no place in the modern world. But it is up to the world to enforce that truth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Plus another headache for the NFL: one of its biggest stars out on bail today after being charged with child abuse. While Adrian Peterson's lawyer says it wasn't abuse, it is a form of discipline.

Good morning, everyone.

Well, we start this hour with an urgent manhunt in Pennsylvania for anyone involved in ambushing state troopers late last night. One trooper was shot and killed, another was wounded. And police say they're searching for a suspect or suspects. They don't have any description yet. They do say that the attack was directed at Pennsylvania State Police.

CNN's Nick Valencia following the story. And Nick -- we've just heard that police have been able to interview several people. Are these people who may have seen something? Or people who may know who the shooter is?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. We don't know the details exactly of who they are talking to or why. But we do know that they are conducting these. No arrests have been made just yet and the search is ongoing for the person or people who did this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: The manhunt is on for a cop killer.

FRANK NOONAN, PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER: The individual who perpetrated this heinous crime is still at large. We do not have the description or any real information on their identity.

VALENCIA: Whoever it was, the person or persons shot and killed one Pennsylvania state trooper and injured another in an ambush on state police barracks overnight. The shooting occurred around 11:00 p.m. about 35 miles outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Investigators say they're following a number of leads but do not have a motive.

The names of the troopers have not been released. The injured officer was hospitalized, doctors overnight performed emergency surgery and he remains in stable condition.

NOONAN: This attack seems to be directed particularly at the Pennsylvania State Police. We are putting every resource available to the Pennsylvania state police or law enforcement in Pennsylvania in action.

VALENCIA: And it is not just Pennsylvania officers involved in the search. Hundreds of officers from multiple agencies, including New York and New Jersey are involved in the hunt on the ground and in the air.

NOONAN: We are also focused on our investigation. I'm sure that this is going to be a very difficult time for them as it is going to be for all of us when we are done working to get this terrible crime solved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: Such a terrible crime there -- the loss of one state trooper. This shooting happened in a rural area -- a very few homes in the area. No shelter in place ordered given by authorities but they are asking people in the area to keep an eye out -- Deb.

FEYERICK: And Nick does this seem like a crime of opportunity? A retaliation? Were there any threats made against any of these troopers or against the barracks itself?

VALENCIA: You know you heard the head of the police there talk at a press conference earlier. He gave limited details other than to say that the shooting happened at about 11:00 p.m. last night, Deb, during a shift change. One officer going on shift and another was coming off shift.

And we know that it is very difficult to get onto that police barracks. There is obstacles, and I should say you know, procedures to get into that barracks. So it is shocking and surprising that he was able -- the suspect or suspects were able to get so close to carry out this attack.

But, you know, as we mentioned at the top of this report, interviews ongoing. No arrests just yet -- Deb. FEYERICK: All right. Very interesting. Nick Valencia thanks so

much. We'll check back with you a little later on.

And the NFL has been on the defense over the Ray Rice controversy. And now it has another star in hot water. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson turned himself in to authorities in Texas early this morning. He's been indicted on a felony child abuse charge. Shortly after, Peterson was freed on a $15,000 bail. He will miss tomorrow's game against the Patriots.

Alexandra Field is covering this for us. And Alex, the indictment -- what is Peterson himself saying about the actions allegedly taken towards his four-year-old son?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Deb, right now his attorney is speaking on his behalf, saying that this charge is related to Peterson allegedly spanking his son with a switch. Now, the warrant went out for Peterson's arrest. He left his home in Minnesota overnight. He traveled to Texas, where he turned himself in to face the authorities there.

His attorney has gone on to defend him by saying this. I want to read you part of his statement. He says "Adrian is a loving father who used his adjustment as a parent to discipline his son. He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experience as a child growing up in east Texas." And the attorney goes on to say it is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury.

We're also hearing that Peterson has been fully cooperating with authorities who are conducting the investigation. At the same time, the Vikings now closely following this as well, and Deb as you pointed out, they have decided to deactivate him from Sunday's game. He will not be able play.

They add that they are still in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Peterson. There's a lot of questions.

FEYERICK: It's so interesting to see how quickly the team reacted. They know now there is a zero tolerance when it comes to any sort of abuse whether it be domestic abuse, whether it be alleged child abuse. When you look at the reaction of people online, are they -- when it comes to discipline and children, a lot of people say oh it's nothing more than my parents did to me." Do you see any of that online? What is the reaction from the community?

FIELD: Yes. I think this is such a sensitive issue, this week particularly because we've been talking about Ray Rice and seeing that video of him in the elevator and the attack on his then fiance, his now wife. So people are looking at that and they're talking about these horrific incidences of abuse that you see at times.

They also know when you talk about children some people will quickly say, hey look this is how I grew up. Parents are in charge of disciplining their children. And there are a lot of people who will say look you sometimes you really cross the line and the line is clear. So fans have been speaking out and they are sort of showing both side of the debate here. Let's listen to some of what they've had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was very disappointed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's great. Obviously he's kind of a role model for everybody, you know, to all the young kids and everything. And to hear that just kind of blows you away.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He didn't do anything bad. He just disciplined his kid in a way that most people, you know, don't even know what a switch is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I did a lot of dumb things as a kid. Did I get a kick in the butt? Yes, I did. Should somebody be suspended for that? I don't agree with what they did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIELD: And Deb, you certainly heard a few fans there defending Adrian Peterson partly because they feel like it is a parent's right to discipline a child to a certain extent. But also he's got a lot of fans. He was a star on the Vikings and this probably shouldn't surprise us to see people defending him because you saw the same thing with Ray Rice earlier this week. So many people still wearing his jersey to the Ravens/Steelers game.

FEYERICK: Right. What's also interesting now is in the case of Adrian Peterson, he immediately went to the authorities. So it seems like whatever did happen he's willing to go and face it as opposed to what everyone is saying now with respect to Ray Rice and that is more of that cover up. Who knew what? What did he do? Did he try to dodge the charges that were against him? So all of that -- interesting and immediate reaction.

FIELD: Right.

So Peterson cooperated with authorities, spoke to the grand jury and having statements from his attorney now.

FEYERICK: Right. All right. Alexandra Field -- thanks so much. Appreciate that report.

And now to more on the NFL's domestic violence problem and the outrage from the public over how the league handled its alleged abusers. A new report says NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell learned about Rice knocking out his then fiancee from Rice himself. That's right. Ray Rice told Roger Goodell.

That's before the elevator video surfaced. Goodell says not so fast. Rice didn't tell him the whole truth. Now he has some words for Rice.

Here is Miguel Marquez. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Roger Goodell on the offensive. In a letter making official Ray Rice's indefinite suspension, the NFL chief lays blame at the feet of Ray Rice himself for misleading him about what happened in that Atlantic City casino elevator in February.

In the letter to the NFL Players Association obtained by ESPN, Goodell referencing the second video obtained by TMZ Sports showing the inside of the elevator. He writes "This video shows a starkly different sequence of events from what you and your representative stated when we met on June 16th."

The question of what Rice told Goodell during that June 16 meeting now under intense scrutiny. Four sources telling ESPN Rice was honest telling Goodell he hit or punched his then fiancee Janay Palmer.

Here's what Goodell told CBS News, Tuesday.

NORAH O'DONNELL, CBS NEWS: Did you wish you had seen this videotape before it was released by TMZ.

ROGER GOODELL, NFL COMMISSIONER: Absolutely.

O'DONNELL: Why?

GOODELL: That's why we asked for it on several occasions. Because when we make a decision we want to have all the information that available. And obviously that was -- when we met with Ray Rice and his representatives, it was ambiguous about what actually happened.

MARQUEZ: On Wednesday, Goodell continued to blame Rice for misleading him.

GOODELL: The description of what happened was not consistent with what the videotape was. And, you know, when you see that, that was clear.

The "Wall Street Journal" reporting just yesterday Goodell told NFL owners he was led to believe Palmer's unconsciousness was the result of her falling as both of them struck each other.

Regardless of what was said in the June 16 meeting, Commissioner Goodell anyone only had to read the initial complaint filed the day of the incident, it was publicly available and widely reported for months and clear as day. Rice struck her with his hand rendering her unconscious.

Miguel Marquez, CNN New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: The battle against ISIS building a strong united front against the terror organization. That is what Secretary of State Kerry is trying to do right now. He's in Cairo holding critical meetings there in Egypt; Egypt - a key ally in the region. Our Elise Labott traveling with Secretary Kerry joins us live from Cairo. Elise what does the secretary have to do to make this trip a success? To be able to come back and say it's a lock.

ELISE LABOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Deb, I think he wants, you know, commitments from the international community, particularly the Arab world where he was just visiting, to join the global coalition. Who's going to do what, whether they are going to contribute to a military campaign; the diplomatic part; the financial part; the intelligence. That is all going to be worked out particularly in the coming weeks of the United Nations general assembly.

But what the Secretary wants is for the Arab world to say we stand with the United States in combating ISIS. Today Secretary Kerry was in Egypt, really the heart of the Arab world and he asking the Egyptians to crack down on the financing and foreign fighters that are transiting Egypt into Iraq and Syria, which helps ISIS recruiting.

Take a listen to the secretary a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: The fact is that in today's globalized world it is only a matter of time before the threat of terrorism anywhere becomes the threat of terrorism everywhere. That has certainly been proven true in the case of ISIL. It is an organization whose brutality and sheer evil knows no bounds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LABOTT: And here in Egypt, U.S. officials are telling us that some of those foreign fighters that are transiting through Egypt into Iraq and Syria are actually coaching some of these extremist groups that Egypt is battling in the Sinai.

So that's why Secretary Kerry is saying this is such a big problem -- Deb. He's also asking Egypt to use its religious leaders to speak out against ISIS in those Friday prayers in their sermons. Recently a very big message from the Grand Mufti, the top cleric from Egypt speaking out saying ISIS is not following true Islam.

So those are the kind of messages that the U.S. is looking for from Egypt's leaders and to play really that historical role that it's always played as kind of a leader in the Arab world -- Deb.

FEYERICK: All right. And obviously there has to be a buy-in there for this to potentially be successful.

All right. Elise Labott, thanks so much for us there in Cairo with Secretary John Kerry.

Next, President Obama says a coalition of countries is ready to defeat ISIS. We will hear from a former tank battalion commander in Iraq. He says it's about time. What else does he think about the President's plan? Plus will the legal troubles of Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cause any backlash from fans and sponsors? I'm going to ask a sports business expert later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: So how big is ISIS really? Well, between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters -- that's how big the CIA now says. The ISIS terror force could be significantly larger than the originally estimated 10,000.

On CNN, retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal talked about the President's plan to arm rebels in Syria to fight ISIS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. STANLEY MCCHRYTAL, U.S. ARMY (RET.): I think it's a necessary move. If you don't arm the rebels then you leave them in a position between the extreme groups like ISIS and al Nusra and the army of Bashar al Assad. And so I think you have to do that. Not it's always hard. If you set this incredibly high standards that says they all must be college graduates, were completely vetted -- you know, you could put any number. The reality is that is not what opposition groups and guerilla's like that are typically made of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: And retired U.S. Army Colonel John Nagl, co-author of the Army and Marine Corps counterinsurgency. He served in Iraq. He's also the author of the "Knife Fights: a memoir of modern war. And Colonel, you hear what General McChrystal said. Does it appear that the U.S. is late to the game when it comes to controlling ISIS?

COL. JOHN NAGL, U.S. ARMY: I really wish we decided to arm the Syrian rebels back in the summer of 2012 when Secretary of State Clinton and then CIA director Petraeus and Secretary of Defense Gates encouraged the President to make that decision. He chose not to. It is going to be harder to arm them now. ISIS is much stronger than it was as you've just said correctly.

It's apparently doubled in strength just over the course of the past summer. And many of the leaders -- the best leaders of the Syrian opposition who we could have armed back in the summer of 2012 have unfortunately been killed since then either by al Qaeda, by ISIS or by President Assad and Syria's forces. So it's good that we're making this decision. I'm afraid it's later than I wish it had been and as a result this is going to be a longer harder war than it needed to be.

FEYERICK: So the rebels essentially have lost some of their key leadership, those who were taken out by ISIS and al Qaeda as you say. But now you have the Syrian revolutionary command council which essentially combines the Free Syrian Army along with other rebels plus tribes. Is there a swelling, a growth of Sunni, sort of people who are disenchanted with what ISIS is doing? Are we seeing a stronger base for it so that now the U.S. knows exactly who they should be arming which was one of the big questions at the beginning? NAGL: I think you are right on the first part. That is, I think the

rebel forces are coalescing ISIS like al Qaeda and Iraq against which I fought a decade ago is so horrible to its own people, so draconian. That once it garners territory, takes over ground the natives tend to rise up against that leadership. That is the good news.

The bad news is we are not sure exactly who to arm. We don't have as many boots on the ground or intelligence agents close to Syria as we would like to have. And so we are going to have to be doing some more careful intelligence gathering. I'm afraid that is going to take a while and building an army out of the Syrian rebels is a process that's going to take, I'm afraid, years and not months.

FEYERICK: The question is, is that the goal of the U.S. -- to build a Syrian army? Or is it really to help the Syrian rebels that appear to be friendly or anti-ISIS I should say to basically help provide the eyes on the ground so the U.S. can provide air strikes and perhaps change the game so that these rebels that are anti-ISIS can then go in.

NAGL: That is correct. So we are going to have to form an army out of those rebels, I'm afraid. The ISIS that we are fighting now is more capable than the al Qaeda in Iraq that I fought a decade ago. These guys have taken and held ground. They have captured a whole lot of real military equipment -- some of it from the Syrian government, the Syrian forces of President Assad; much of it from the Iraqi government. So we are going to need not just air strikes but a much more capable opposition force on the ground both in Iraq, in Kurdistan, in the Kurdish part of Iraq and in Syria that currently exists. And that is the hard part is providing and building a ground force.

FEYERICK: So a stronger more deadly ISIS force but perhaps more people fighting against them now with the help of the U.S.

Col. John Nagl, thank you so much. We appreciate your time.

NAGL: It's good to be with you.

And a drunken brawl at a house party. And some people who attended say the Palin family was right smack in the middle of it. Wait until you hear who one local blogger says threw the first punch.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Sarah Palin is back in the news and it is not for her political views, but some rogue partying -- allegedly her involvement in the fight that broke out in a house party in Alaska. Police say alcohol was involved and a few flying fists as well. CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Palin's reality show on TLC features the family dog, target shooting and caribou hunting. But according to blogger Amanda Coin who broke the story out of Anchorage, Alaska, reality may be a lot more interesting.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would describe it as a big brawl as a lot of people and other people there were describing it -- a big crazy brawl.

MALVEAUX: It allegedly happen here last Saturday at a joint birthday party in a suburban neighborhood. Coin says Sarah Palin, her husband Todd, and their children Bristol, Willow, and Track pulled up in a stretch hummer limo together. It was Todd's 50th birthday so he was one of those the party was celebrating.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Track approached one of Willow Palin's ex- boyfriends and got into some sort of scuffle with him. Then Todd Palin somehow got involved in that scuffle. That was broken up. Willow and Bristol started approaching the family of the ex-boyfriend. Bristol, witnesses say began to punch the owner of the house in the face.

MALVEAUX: Coin says he talked to several eye witnesses, including Eric Thompson who told this to ABC News.

ERIC THOMPSON, EYEWITNESS: Bristol just reached back and started clocking him. And she hit him. Reached way back here and caught him right in the chin, you know, I counted at least six times.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sarah Palin then herself according to witnesses got involved and tried to kind of get into the middle of the brawl and was screaming and yelling.

MALVEAUX: CNN cannot independently confirm that the Palins were involved in the melee. But the Anchorage police say the family was there. Telling us just before midnight Anchorage police respond to report of a verbal and physical altercation taking place between multiple subjects outside of a residence. Alcohol was believed to have been a factor in the incident.

Some of the Palin family members were in attendance. The Palin family has not commented on the alleged incident despite CNN's numerous attempts to reach out to them. Sarah Palin did post on her Facebook page the next day but made no mention of the party. She says I was traveling yesterday so I'm posting Todd's 50th birthday greeting a day late -- which is fine because the handsome guy barely looks a day over 50.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Anchorage police tell us at the time of the incident none of the involved parties wanted to press charges and no arrests were made. Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Washington.

FEYERICK: I guess that is what you call a birthday bash.

Well the Secretary of State is on his Middle East tour trying to build coalition support to defeat ISIS but some voices of opposition are speaking up. We're going to hear from one coming up straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) FEYERICK: Bottom of the hour now. So, glad you are here with us today. I am Deborah Feyerick in for Fredricka Whitfield. And, here is a look at our top stories making news right now.

Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Egypt making a diplomatic push to build regional support for the international coalition against the terror group, ISIS. Today, he is holding talks with Egypt's President. And, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, he is also speaking with as well. Kerry says the United States is grateful that Egypt and the Arab League have come out and supported the coalition, quote, "Every step of the way."

A man hunt is stretching across three states underway right now after Pennsylvania State Troopers are shot. One of those troopers is dead, the other in stable condition. They were ambushed outside their barracks late last night in Blooming Grove North of Philadelphia. Police have not identified a motive nor have they identified the shooter or suspect. They are currently interviewing one person now.

President Obama is vowing to degrade and destroy. Those are his words, degrade and destroy ISIS. Secretary of State, John Kerry, making a big push to build support for the mission, but not everyone is on board. Sally Kohn joins me now. She is CNN Political Commentator.

And, Sally, you have an Op-Ed on CNN and you say that there are a couple of big mistakes that have occurred here. And, one of them is that -- you said U.S. Intervention is what destabilized the region in the first place. Going back is not going to stabilize it. Talk to me about that.

SALLY KOHN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, let us break this down. It was our military action in Iraq in the first place that created a political crisis, not to mention wide spread unpopularity of the United States, which gave rise to ISIS. This is something universally agreed upon.

So, now there is this political problem. There is a political crisis both in Syria and Iraq, this instability, the civil wars, the sectarian -- These are political issues. They need a political solution. We are going to go back in with a military solution. And we are going to simply inflame those tensions more.

And, by the way, the great irony in this is the only reason we are going in with a military solution. Arguably, a primary reason is because of the political motives here at home, to look tough, to look like we are doing something, when actually it is counterproductive step.

FEYERICK: But, at the same time do not you see right now, ISIS has about 10,000 troops. The CIA has come out now and said they could have as many as 30,000 troops. Does not -- or do not they have to be stopped, so that a political solution can be incorporated in that part of the world, because that entire region right now is totally destabilized. How do you destabilize it with ISIS? KOHN: Well, first of all I want to see ISIS stopped. I do not know

anyone who does not want see ISIS stopped, of course, we want to stop them. So, that is an agreed upon statement, right? The second thing is how do you stop them and also how do you not insight more people to join ISIS or other terrorist networks?

So, we know that, you know, most terrorists do not just wake up hating America. Most cases, there is a motive and often it is bombing. It is destruction of cities. It is killing of civilians, which we know these kinds of the bombing campaigns create. We know that the American Intervention on intelligence reports that the first war -- in the first case, the war in Iraq created more terrorists.

That was the result of us having those bombing campaigns. So, it is not a matter of if we stop ISIS. It is a matter of how and what role does the United States play. Is this our fight to pick? Because we do not have to stop every bad guy around the world, that does not have to be our job.

FEYERICK: Yes. Air strikes you say will make radical ideology a lot worse than it already is. But, the truth is, is there is so much going on in that region that you have a number of these people coming out. They are going to be supporting. They are fighting against Iraq. They are fighting against Syria. How do you, for example, stop ISIS when air strikes did prove effective in the Mosul dam? You are never going to reverse the ideology, because arguably many people do not see the Islamic State as being Muslim to begin with.

KOHN: One thing we can do is we can do other things, right? To cut off, for instance, a lot of weapons. ISIL is fighting with are weapons that the United States has brought into the region that they have then seized and taken over, right? So, there are things we can do. Other things we can do in terms of cutting off funding, putting pressure on other states and entities to stop buying the oil that they now control.

We can do other things. We can play a role as part of a productive national team of nations. But, we do not have to necessarily take the lead. And, we certainly do not have to take the lead militarily. Other countries can do so. We can allow Iran for instance as much as that seems scary to take a lead.

They have more power in that region, less to lose and more to gain from being involved. And, again, look. I am glad we are having this conversation. Part of the drum up to all this happening has been this notion that ISIS poses an immediate threat to Americans. It does not.

FEYERICK: Right.

KOHN: It has been very clear every sector of the intelligence committee, there is no immediate threat. But, we start bombing them and the chances of retaliation, the chances that we provoke the kind of thing we are exactly afraid of, I think we have to consider that --

FEYERICK: Although, arguably, there is no immediate threat until we are attacked, which is what we saw on 9/11. KOHN: But, you know, we do not go on bombing everyone who hates

America --

FEYERICK: I completely understand it. It is very interesting -- You are right. And, the President certainly did not strengthen blocking any of these people from coming back. Sally Kohn, thanks so much. We could talk for a lot longer, but we are out of time.

KOHN: Thanks for having me.

FEYERICK: Thank you. I appreciate it. And, another day, another NFL player in trouble with the law, as Adrian Peterson joins Ray Rice in the headlines. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is finding his multibillion dollar brand under attack. How will fans and sponsors react?

And, Fredricka Whitfield is not bringing you the news this morning, because she is in California taking part in a triathlon for charity. Never hurt the knee. Like charity, not afraid about triathlon. You will see how she got ready for this challenge in just a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: And, our great friend, colleague and the person we look up to, Fredricka Whitfield, normally would be sitting here in this anchor chair today, instead she is in California, participating in the Malibu Triathlon along with CNN's Fit Nation Team. It is all to raise money for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. And, training for all that swimming, biking, running, it is not easy and it is certainly not for the faint of heart. Fred?

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Malibu, California. A picturesque Malibu. Home to Hollywood stars and the Nautica Malibu Classic Triathlon. I am here. I am so excited to do this race this weekend. At the same time, I have butterflies. I have wanted to do this race for so many years and along the way had so many excuses, until this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Nearly everyone on our 2014 team has been through a major health crisis.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): Inspiration and a nudge from CNN's resident Superman Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

DR. GUPTA: Anyone can get more fit, whether training for a triathlon or just training for life. And, Fred, maybe you can join us. Back to you.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): OK, Sanjay. Yes, I am in. Plunging in all the way. Swimming countless lapse -- from pool to open water. Running at all hours between work and family time.

(on camera): Maybe next time, I will take you biking with me.

(voice-over): Biking. (on camera): Whew. We are going uphill. You are trying to kill me.

We are going another hill. I just have to talk myself through it the whole time.

(voice-over): None of it easy but eventually feeling a thrilling adrenaline rush.

(on camera): I feel great when I get to the top of the hill. Whew, but going up it, killer.

(voice-over): So, this is what I have signed up for. Thousands of people at the start line, together in giant mass, into the Pacific Ocean, jockeying, elbowing, kicking for position; swimming a half mile, fighting wave, each other, possibly cool water cramping and any other psychological hang ups.

Crazy, we can put that way. Then transition to an 18-mile bike, followed by a 4-mile run. What in the world have I gotten myself into? Training on my own, and sometimes with others. Am I nuts?

(on camera): Before the big race, I have been training with the pros in the pool. I have been with Atlantic Triathlon Club for about two and a half months now. The whole idea is to work on my strength and of course my endurance, which I am going to need the most. Wish me luck.

(voice-over): In one-hour sessions, up to 1900 meters in drills and mock races.

(on camera): Of the three disciplines, biking, running, swimming, this is my least favorite. And, this is why. I feel like people are passing me like I am standing still and I am putting all this effort into it. So, what I have had to work on is my gear shifting. I hope this course is flat.

All right, it is just after 9:00 and my three kids are now asleep and this is the only time I have to get a nightly run in. So, this is me time. Me and the cicada and an occasional bat.

(voice-over): Making time for training, sometimes a challenging as the training, itself.

(on camera): This is my fourth Sprint Triathlon, but what is different here is, of course, that ocean swim and I have an Achilles injury. I hurt it running earlier this year and then made worse snow skiing. I have been in physical therapy ever since. So, if I am really hurting in that run you will see me race walking like this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, back to Malibu. So, I will modify my run if I have to and I will step up my bike because I must. Now, what I would do about that out there, how do I navigate this ocean? Well, that is where Triathlon Coach Mary Cain comes in. So, Mary how am I going to get out there without those waves controlling me? MARY CAIN, TRIATHLON COACH: Well, you got to control the waves and

the way to do that is to either, one, go over them or two, cut through them when they are big wave, and the third one is when white water has dive under and go beyond it and then start swimming.

WHITFIELD: My other big worry, riptide.

CAIN: Riptide. Riptide cannot -- first of, riptide will not kill you. Panic will. Looking out -- When trying to come in on a riptide just swim either right or left parallel to the beach and then try to come in and riptide will not have you.

WHITFIELD: And, then I will have your credo in my head, which is?

CAIN: Move! Move! Move! Get out there! Go! Go!

FEYERICK: All right. Well, good for Fredricka. We wish her all the best. All that training and it is going to be for a great reason. Again, donations raised by this marathon will benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Go to our CNN page, cnn.com/fitnation to make a donation. And, as Fred told us while she was prepping, "Help a kid and pray for me." So, we are doubly praying for you, Fred. Good luck out there.

And, we turn topics now as Adrian Peterson joins Ray Rice in the headlines. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finding his multibillion dollar brand under attack. So, how are fans and especially sponsors, those big money guys, how they going to react?

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FEYERICK: Roger Goodell has delivered billions of dollars in T.V. contracts to NFL owners. And, guess what? They love him for it. But, now his handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case, well, any decisions he makes regarding Adrian Peterson, that could trigger a backlash from sponsors and the fans who spent millions of those dollars.

This is especially true for female fans, who the league has courted heavily with breast cancer awareness campaigns. Remember, all those pink ribbons and the towels? Well, according to Scarborough research, 45 percent of the NFL's fans are women. But so far, the controversy has not hurt the size of the T.V. audience.

Ratings for Rice's former team, the Ravens, were up 108 percent on Thursday night. Joining me to talk about the Ray Rice scandal has potential impact on the NFL is Keith Reed. He is a Sports Business Analyst and former CNN Editor for ESPN, the magazine. And, look, sponsors buy the ads that make all this money. What are the sponsors saying? Are they outraged?

KEITH REED, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Sponsors have actually been pretty quiet about this. The NFL has a whole lot of clout. It has got people to put a lot of pressure on sponsors. The sponsors are watching this very, very closely. And, some of them have pulled away. Of course, the ones who were involved with Ray Rice himself, have

pulled away from Ray Rice, taking away his contracts. They are not paying him anymore. But, you have not seen any sponsors, as of this point, make a point of commenting on the Ray Rice issue or pulling out away from the league.

FEYERICK: You know, it is fascinating. Does that mean also, because, look, what is the hold that they have? Because we also have not heard from any of the sort of, you know, from Susan G. Komen. She did not come -- that organization did not come out.

REED: Sure.

FEYERICK: The NFL did a major campaign with breast cancer.

REED: Absolutely.

FEYERICK: But, they did not come out and say, "Look, the NFL has to address this, immediately." They were quiet, too.

REED: Right. Here is the challenge for sponsors, right? You are invested very, very heavily. It could cost up to $10 million per brand to be involved with the NFL for a season, over the length of a contract, right?

So, that is a huge investment. And, of course, this is all about the money and we know that really, this is -- this should be about the safety, the health and safety of the young woman involved and of all women who are fans and in the country.

But, at the end of the day, for sponsors and for the league, it comes down to money. So, those brands are really, really leery of damaging those relationships, even though the NFL is taking a beating in the public right now.

FEYERICK: Do you think women will -- do you think female fans want more or do you think they are just sort of also waiting to see what happens? Saying, "Look, Goodell is not such a bad guy. He has done good things for the league."

REED: No. I think Roger Goodell's reputation is tarnished. It may be tarnished forever by this. But, I think there is a dichotomy for female fans and for fans broadly, right? You really, really loathe what you saw on that videotape and you really, really loathe the league's response to it and how they have botched it so far.

But, fans are still fans. They still love the NFL. They still love their team. They still want to watch. And, so, you are not seeing people leave the game and drove, because there is a separation between how you feel about the game of football and how you feel about what you saw on that videotape.

FEYERICK: Right. And, you know, this is something we say over and over and over again. It is not the incident, it is the cover-up.

REED: Right. FEYERICK: And, there is a real feeling that Roger Goodell, the standard he holds the players to, he did not hold that same standard.

REED: Yes.

FEYERICK: When he said, "Rice did not tell me the full story," you are the commissioner of the league. It is your job to know the full story. I think that is what people are having trouble with.

REED: Absolutely. That is a big problem for him.

FEYERICK: Yes.

REED: The way this has been handled from the very beginning, where you came out, you gave a lenient punishment then you gave a greater punishment then you changed the policy. Then we found out that the league may have known more than they said they knew. And, it looks at the very least, Roger Goodell was not in control and that harms him.

FEYERICK: All right, Keith Reed. Thanks so much. Always, interesting to talk to you.

REED: Great. Thank you.

FEYERICK: Appreciate for coming on today. Thanks. And, what do Michael Jackson, Harry Houdini, and General Dwight Eisenhower have in common? Well, that is coming up, straight ahead.

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FEYERICK: Well, some people signed their name with a very sloppy scrawl, some with very elegant loops, and some with wild ink streaks. Now, some historic signatures are on display at the national archives. CNN's Tom Foreman takes a look at how some of the most famous, the most notorious people in the world have left their mark in this American Journey report.

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TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the heat of war, in the cool of peace, and in the daily struggle with life, great souls have left their marks. And, now at the National Archives, those marks are getting their due in a show of historic signatures. Jennifer Johnson is the curator.

JENNIFER JOHNSON, CURATOR: I think the power of the signature cannot be overemphasized, whether it is a letter from an individual who had a question for the government or if it is a President who is signing after congress and making those words law. The power is hard to walk away from.

FOREMAN (voice-over): General Dwight Eisenhower travelled much of Europe in World War II, collecting these signatures on bank notes from people he met all along the away. There is much joy. This is Michael Jackson's patent for a dancing shoe, where he signed his name with a flourish; as did magician Harry Houdini, who put his pen to his draft card, as if it were yet another spectacular trick.

JOHNSON: And, it was truly part of his personality at the time and that is his signature.

FOREMAN (voice-over): There are surprises took, like a calling card left for Vice President Andrew Johnson by John Wilkes Booth the very day Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, or the wedding registry of the Adolf Hitler.

JOHNSON: I think some of the most powerful ones, or at least the most interesting to me, are the examples that you might not expect to find.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Catherine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Robinson, and so many others pulled from the billions of papers in the archives, each making a mark in history.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: And we have much more just ahead in the NEWSROOM. It all starts right now.