i'm rachel nichols. learned a long time ago not to tell amy van dyken she couldn't do something. as a kid she had such severe asthma she struggled from one side of the pool to the other. two decade later she won six gold medals making her one of the most successful american olympians ever. stow when van dyken was in a horrible accident this summer. those around her knew better to doubt her you. went either after hearing our conversation. >> well, amy, welcome. first of all, how are you feeling these days? >> good. i am actually feeling amazing. i am driving around by myself. so everyone on the road watch out. getting really good at putting my chair in and out of the car. i was so blown away that -- they actually modified it. camero, ss, super sexy. i can still floor that baby. >> that's fantastic. we have been watching the videos that you have been posting online. i want to show everyone just how hard you are working here. this is you, literally crawling on the floor to make forward progress with your le

. >>> tonight on "unguarded" with rachel nichols. college basketball player lauren hill suffering from terminal brain cancer. inspired the sporting world. and she fought to play one last game. now, she explains why. >> there is families going through this. and there is kids younger than i am going through this. they're who i am fighting for. >> the latest on the nfl's most controversial players, ray rice and adrian peterson as both attempt to return to the field. it's totally gotten out of control. a situation that i think could have been nipped in the bud. >> former heisman trophy winner, herschel walker is fed up with the organization running college football. >> the ncaa, they turned their backs and did absolutely nothing. >> welcome. coming to you from our l.a. studios with a packed show. there is no better place for us to start than with the emotional inspiring stories coming out of cincinnati this week. last night, not a dry eye in the house. bengals' player, devin still got a visit from his 4-year-old daughter, leah. her first

. >>> tonight on "unphiltereguar rachel nichols. jeff gordon reveals how forging his own path brought him closer to another championship. >> when is first came to the sport i wasn't from the south ainge wanted to fillet in but along the way you start to realize, you know, who you are. >> the 6-2 lions are among the nfl's best but star quarterback matt stafford describes how a bridge nearly collapsed on him on his way to work. >>> meb keflezighi explains how winning the boston marathon was his way of paying back the country that took him in as a child. >> we are the american dream and feel blessed that the united states gave us the opportunity because there were other countries that didn't do that >>> welcome to "unguarded." race car driver jeff gordon didn't set out to be a pioneer. and certainly when he first burst on to the scene more than 20 years ago, no one treated him like one. dale earnhardt sr. called him wonder boy. and not in a good way. as southern nascar fans were deeply suspicious of his precocious driving and his calif

i'm rachel nichols. we talk all the time about how sports build character.ut what happens when hard circumstances shape a boy into such a strong young man that he becomes a better football player and that in turn earns him a college education. meet quay jefferson and his mother, you're not going to soon forget them. the university of delaware's football team is 6 and 4 this season, by no means a gridiron power house, but for freshman wide receiver quay jefferson, football is about so much more than just winning and losing. >> football is my love, there's nothing like when i'm catching passes. >> when he's on the field doing something for football, all the spectators on the side is feeling good and getting their heart filled up and that's amazing. >> quay's mother has multiple sclerosis, she was diagnosed in 2002. and a lot of was thrust on the boil's shoulders. >> quay was 14 years old when i started using him for strength and balance. i would have to walk down the street and hold on to quay to stand up. >> multiple sclerosis is an auto immune deficiency tha

. ♪ >>> i'm rachel nichols.me back to "unguarded." >>> we've been talking to racing icon jeff gordon who shook up nascar in the '90s by proving you don't have to be a southern good old boy to be good at driving a stock car. he won an amazing four championships in seven years but take a listen as he explains how his legacy opening up the sport to a wider range of drivers also may have led to his undoing, especially when it came to the young california kid who followed in his footsteps, jimmie johnson. ♪ ♪ i can't drive 55 >> you helped bring jimmie johnson in and in a way, though, that then leads to problems for you on the racetrack because he's really good. >> yeah. you know, the thing with jimmie is i met him, i saw him on the track, i thought he was doing amazing things so you can't be disappointed to see somebody that's that good do that well. you know, did it put a thorn in my side at times because maybe i could have won a championship if it weren't for him, maybe. maybe. and our friendship was challenged at

cnn rachel nichols joins me now. rachel, put this in more context for everyone and what more are you hearing as far as this is concerning? >> reporter: the big headline is that ray rice is now eligible to play with any nfl team that signs him. if a team wanted to sign him and put him on the field that could happen but we're not expecting that to happen any time soon. keep in mind this appeals process wasn't a referendum on the swert of ray rice's actions. it was a referendum in the way nfl handled this case and roger goodell handled this case. roger goodell suspended ray rice for two games after this incident first came to his desk. then after the video surfaced and we saw it on tmz's website later that day he suspended ray rice indefinitely. now ray rice's side and the union that represents him said hey, you had no new information there, yeah you saw a video but like a lot of us at the time, what did you expect happened in that elevator. you compromise what happened and even further ray rice said he openly acknowled

we'll have to see what happens here. >> rachel nichols, thanks so much. appreciate it.inder, "unguarded" are rachel nichols airs this friday night at 10:30 eastern on cnn. >>> still to come, election laws tested by twitter? that's the finding of a new cnn analysis which shows some republican outside groups may have coordinated with campaigns in violation of the law. we'll talk about that next. ugh... ...heartburn. did someone say burn? try alka seltzer reliefchews. they work just as fast and are proven to taste better than tums smoothies assorted fruit. mmm... amazing. yeah, i get that a lot. alka seltzer heartburn reliefchews. enjoy the relief. do you have the coverage? you need? open enrollment ends december 7th. don't put it off 'til later. now's the time to get on a path that could be right for you... with unitedhealthcare medicare solutions. call today to learn about the kinds of coverage we offer, including aarp medicarecomplete plans insured through unitedhealthcare. these medicare advantage plans can combine parts a and b, your hospital and doctor coverage... wi

rachel nichols, thank you very much. up next right here in newsroom president obama now said that ground troops will not be used in the war against aisis unless the group acquired a nuclear weapon. my next guest says that's not impossible. but i've managed.e crohn's disease is tough, except that managing my symptoms was all i was doing. and when i finally told my doctor, he said humira is for adults like me who have tried other medications but still experience the symptoms of moderate to severe crohn's disease. and that in clinical studies, the majority of patients on humira saw significant symptom relief. and many achieved remission. humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened; as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are commo

joining me to talk about the pros and cons is the host of cnn's "unguarded" rachel nichols. seems weird. is it? >> it's a very daring position for adam silver to take. but hey, he's had a good year compared to other commissioners that we've been talking about. maybe he feeled empowered and emboldened to take this step. maybe you could say this would create interest. most people who play fantasy sports have cash money there on the board for their prizes. so in a way, these leagues are kind of endorsing this anyway and pulling back at the same time saying there's no gambling in this establishment. he wants to take it out of the shadows. but it's a controversial position. >> what about nannies and drivers and family members and those who may be able to influence athletes possibly? isn't that part of the metric? >> in the nba itself, it wasn't that long ago that we had a huge gambling scandal. one of the referees was changing the way he officiated games. you would think that the nba would be the last league to take this on but adam silver apparently thinks it's good for him and

rachel nichols, ladies and gentlemen. thank you. appreciate it. >>> for a decade, comedian bill cosby has weathered the storm of multiple rape allegations and unlike other celebrities, his career was seemingly unsinkable but is the tide of public opinion now turning against him? the future of the cosby brand next. >>> the parents of a mentally ill man turn him into police but he's now in prison over a shooting plot. are they having second thoughts? our chief medical correspondent dr. sanjay gupta says it's an interview that left him absolutely stunned. you will not want to miss this story. stay right here. this season, celebrate what's new, with the bigger, better menu at red lobster! try our newest wood-grilled combination! maine lobster, extra jumbo shrimp, and salmon! all topped with decadent brown butter. or savory new lobster scampi linguini, with lobster in every bite. and, the ultimate feast. it's the ultimate ultimate! with more shrimp than ever. more of what you love, our new menu. it's a bigger, better reason to celebrate.

lauren sat down with rachel nichols and said despite her diagnosis she won't stop living life to the fullest and she will continue to fight for her life and you can catch that at cnn's "unguarded" with rachel nichols. >> those are two wonderful stories to hear. see you in a few. >>> the next hour of "newsroom" begins right now. >>> good morning, everyone, i'm poppy harlow in for carol costello. thanks for joining me. police call him a vicious predator and the length and depravity of his alleged crimes is shocking seasoned detectives. this morning, dell vin barns awoke in a virginia stale cell after being whisked to the state to face new charges. he is accused of attacking a teen with a shovel and stuffing her into a car trunk. police say that was just a month before he violently snatched another woman off a philadelphia street in this surveillance video that ultimately helped lead to his capture. our alexandra field is live in philadelphia with this unbelievable story. what can you tell us about the more that we've learned about dellvin barns? >> reporter: as we dig here poppy, we're

. >>> tonight on unguarded with rachel nichols, actor steve corell on his new sports movie and his challenge said that, but he's not so tough. >> gary beckman answers questions about the future of -- >> and pro ball receiver larry fitzgerald, his informal cardinals have the nfl's best record, but some questions heading into this weekend. >> it's

. >>> tonight on "unphiltereguar rachel nichols.ging his own path brought him closer to another championship. >> when is first came to the sport i wasn't from the south ainge wanted to fillet in but along the way you start to realize, you know, who you are. >> the 6-2 lions are among the nfl's best but star quarterback matt stafford describes how a bridge

. >> tonight on "unguarded" with rachel nichols -- the indianapolis colts andrew luck reveals what it'sthe nfl's top young quarterback. >> certain points it is uncomfortable. based on person, my personality. i tend to try to avoid, you know, the spotlight. >> after six-time olympic goal medalist, amy van dyken broke her spine in a crash she was told she would never walk again. she is not listening. >> i am not good at taking no. i was not supposed to win a bronze. let's not tell me i'm not supposed to walk. let's move forward. >> bulls' guard, derek rose, opens up after having his health and heart constantly questioned. >> i could care less what people think about me. it don't affect me at all.

. >>> tonight on "unguarded" with rachel nichols.red the sporting world. and she fought to play one last game. now, she explains why. >> there is families going through this.

. >>> tonight on unguarded with rachel nichols, actor steve corell on his new sports movie and his challenge. i'm sorry i even said that, but he's not so tough. >> nhl commissioner gary bettman answers tough questions about the future of hockey. >> with the issue of domestic violence, we've been providing counciling and education for over a decade. >> and pro ball receiver larry fitzgerald, his arizona cardinals have the nfl's best record. but some big questions heading into this weekend. >> it's devastating to lose our quarterback.

thank you. >> reporter: for cnn, i'm rachel nichols. >> incredible young woman.s going to speak to rachel nichols for that interview, be sure to watch unguarded friday at 10:30 p.m. here on cnn. >>> in the next hour, election day just hours away, the balance of power on capitol hill is going to be up for grabs. we'll run through the key races. [ female announcer ] we help make secure financial tomorrows a reality for over 19 million people. [ alex ] transamerica helped provide a lifetime of retirement income. so i can focus on what matters most. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. transamerica. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. you know.... there's a more enjoyable way to get your fiber. try phillips fiber good gummies. they're delicious and an excellent source of fiber to help support regularity. mmmm. these are good! the tasty side of fiber. from phillips e financial noise financial noise financial noise financial noise >>> and good evening from the cnn election center in washington, d.c. y

>> i'm joined now in new york by sunny hostin and by the host of cnn's "unguarded" rachel nichols. ght the nfl was untouchable. >> it's amazing. it's as if people criticize them and maybe they don't do much about it and then the government has to come in and take action which seems to be part of what is going on here. >> it seems weird to the layperson that they are actually at a game and these guys come in. >> well, here's the situation. earlier this year, as evan mentioned, there was a lawsuit. more than 1,000 former players, including high-profile players suing that thousands of times over their nfl careers they were handed high-level prescriptions without being briefed on what they are a doctor has to explain whether they were addictive or not, cocktail prescription and they were often happeneded dond team doctors on the planes, you would be given a pillow and blanket and then pills. >> like m & ms. >> yes. and the other issue that was looked into, in high-level prescription drugs, you can only prescribe in the state which you are in. these teams were out of their home state. >>

cnn's rachel nichols joining us now on the phone with more. s. >> ray rice is now able to sign with any nfl team he wants and he's able to get on the field and play. the big question going forward in terms of his football future is if any team is going to take a chance and sign him. there is also going to be a ripple effect on roger goodell. this case wasn't a referendum on ray rice whether or not he hit his wife, we know he did. it was a referendum on how roger goodell handled this case. a former federal judge basically said, he screwed up. he screwed up when he only gave ray rice a suspension initially. and the tmz video came out, and roger goodell turned around and suspended ray rice indefinitely. ray's argument the ole while was hey, he had all the information the first time. he was just trying to cover up here, to cover up for his own incompetence, and the arbitrator basically agreed with him. >> he's a very good player, winning is important. do you think there's a chance that a team does decide to take him? >> there's always a chance. mic

she'll be speaking with rachel nichols 10:30 this friday on cnn. >>> a lot of news this morning. we're watching the polls. opening up now. hopefully everybody is getting out before work or after work. let's get you right there with carol costello. we're falling apart, carol, but for good reason. >> that's right. that was a touching story. thanks so much. you have a great day! "newsroom" starts now. >> right now, a heated fight for political power with one top prize. control of the united states senate. >> republicans in congress love to say no. >> there's nothing i would like better for him to have a bad night november the 4th. >> all across america, barack obama and harry reid. >> ready for new leadership. >> this is cnn's. >>> good morning. i'm carol costello. thank you for joining me. the polls open and candidates race to close the deal with voters. the newest polls have tightened and many of the races are too close to call. the battle for the senate is being fought in ten states from alaska to new hampshire to north carolina. republicans may be on the verge of capturing it, s

. >> you can catch that whole interview tonight at 10:30 eastern on "unguarded with rachel nichols."ing story. it is awesome of devon still. he friended lauren hill and what she is going there. >> a lot of courage there, andy. >> we have a lot of work to do to kick cancer. thanks, andy. >>> 26 minutes after the hour. in hours, president obama meets with the republican leaders of congress. this the first time since tuesday's bruising mid-term elections. is there any hope for any middle ground? we will give you a preview next. >>> beginning in just hours, president obama meets with the new leaders of the next congress. this for the first time since tuesday's elections. the republicans who will now be in control will be there. the question is will this be a friendly meeting or the first of many confrontations. >>> new help could be coming in the war on isis and from a very unlikely place. iran. could the u.s. partner with iran to fight those terrorists? >>> a troubling past revealed. the man accused of abducting a philadelphia nurse may have struck before. who else police say this man a

. >> reporter: for cnn, i'm rachel nichols. >> an extraordinary woman. >> sad but incredible. >> it is. she's showing us all. >> okay. you've been watching cnn. i'm john vause. >> and i'm rosemary church. errol is standing by with more news. >>> whatever happened to the berlin wall denver international is one of the busiest airports in the country. we operate just like a city, and that takes a lot of energy. we use natural gas throughout the airport - for heating the entire terminal, generating electricity on-site, and fueling hundreds of vehicles. we're very focused on reducing our environmental impact. and natural gas is a big part of that commitment. i got this. [thinking] is it that time? the son picks up the check? [thinking] i'm still working. he's retired. i hope he's saving. i hope he saved enough. who matters most to you says the most about you. at massmutual we're owned by our policyowners, and they matter most to us. whether you're just starting your 401(k) or you are ready for retirement, we'll help you get there. sea captain: there's a narratorstorm cominhe storm narrator:

survived by his wife diane sawyer and three children from previous marriages, one who is married to rachel nichols who loved mike, our deepest condolences. may his memory be a blessing. >>> wolf, you're looking ahead to the president's address on the immigration speech this evening. >> we're going to talk to dan pfeiffer and get specifics, what does it all mean, how many millions of people will really be affected, how long this could last. if a republican comes in with one signature, all of what the president is about to do tonight could be reversed. >> how much will this poison the well, as republicans are saying, on any accomplishments over the next two years to be a consideration. >> it certainly is. the cable networks are airing this live. >> but univision is? >> yes. but the other broadcasts are not. >>> students and police clash at one university after a committee votes in favor of increasing tuition, get this, 27%. it's causing a lot of americans to ask, is higher education really worth the price? [ male announcer ] some come here to build something smarter. ♪ some come here to build someth

she'll be speaking with rachel nichols 10:30 this friday on cnn. >>> a lot of news this morning.ing up now. hopefully everybody is getting out before work or after work. let's get you right there with carol costello. we're falling apart, ca b

we're joined now by rachel nichols and evan perez. a is doing this, there is a suspicion there. what are they looking for? >> yeah, the suspicion came after a lawsuit was filed, a class action suit this past spring by more than a thousand former nfl players. and what the suit alleges is that doctors and people like trainers who are not allowed to give out this level of prescription medication were giving these out like candy, without the proper prescriptions, people being given prescriptions not in their names, the idea of mixing prescriptions. players given these pills without being told are they addictive or not, what are the side effects, all things required by law. and what the dea was looking into, and you can tell by the fact that every team they visited yesterday were visiting teams, not the home teams, is that physicians are only allowed to give out this level of prescription in the state where they're licensed to practice medicine. so if they travel with the team to another state, they're not supposed to believe prescribing me

. >>> later rachel nichols with new detail on why the drug enforcement agency paid calls on a string staffers and trainers over the weekend. what exactly were they looking for and what did they find? and sometimes i struggle to sleep at night,nd. and stay awake during the day. this is called non-24, a circadian rhythm disorder that affects up to 70 percent of people who are totally blind. talk to your doctor about your symptoms and learn more by calling 844-824-2424. or visit your24info.com. don't let non-24 get in the way of your pursuit of happiness. there is no car because there was no accident. volvo's most advanced accident avoidance systems ever. the future of safety, from the company that has always brought you the future of safety. give the gift of volvo this season and we'll give you your first month's payment on us. ugh... ...heartburn. did someone say burn? try alka seltzer reliefchews. they work just as fast and are proven to taste better than tums smoothies assorted fruit. mmm... amazing. yeah, i get that a lot. alka seltzer heartburn reliefchews. enjoy the relief. sea c

his daughter in law, rachel nichols, part of the cnn family, this is a loss for her as well.. and he valued genius. and you came out of him in everything you did. >> that was a point, i was reading in "the new york times," a piece about him from ten years ago, he wasn't just smart, he brought intelligence to those around him. that's quintessential directing, making your actors, making the folks around you better. that's what he was doing in so many of the these films. i think of "primary colors" "closer" from ten years ago "angels in america" on hbo. and he was working until recently on a new project. >> this hbo project, "master class" terrence mcnally's tone in award-winning play. >> it was not too far along in production, obviously hbo will have to figure out what to do. that's something he was working on this fall. >> such an interesting time when we were looking at the primetime address from the president tonight on the topic of immigration and we're looking at the story of an immigrant. he was german-born, came here at seven and had to learn english as a second language