everyo good morning, america. dramatic crash on the raceway. the driver goes out of control. debris rains down in the stands injuring more than a dozen fans. dario franchitti breaks his spine. the video coming in from all angles. taking down a terrorist. one of the most-wanted al qaeda masterminds in the world now on the run for 15 years. now captured by american special forces as s.e.a.l. team six ambushes. the biker seen smashing the window of the suv in a motorcycle road rage case, makes an obscene gesture in court. an abc exclusive. ♪ and you're gonna hear me roar ♪ are you ready to roar?

high schools across america streaming in hundreds of entries for our live concert event. with katy perry. we're down to five amazing picks. wait until you see the stories behind them, as katy reveals the first finalist this morning. in moments, only on "gma." >> hey, "gma." are you ready to make the announcement? and happy monday, everyone. robin off today. great to have lara to my right. sara haines to my left. welcome to you. boy, we have a lot to get to this morning. two big exclusives this morning. house speaker john boehner sat down with me for the first time since the shutdown. he's not budging an inch. neither is the white house. we'll see what he says about the bigger fight ahead, america's

debt limit. >> that is shaking up markets. and a special first look at diane sawyer's exclusive first interview with malala, the young pakistani 16-year-old called the bravest girl in the world. how she became globally famous after the taliban shot her and why she cannot, will not be stopped. >> she is not being stopped. >> diane is here to give us a first look at the story. from the little we've seen so far, so moving, so inspiring. cannot wait to get the rest. >> may just win the nobel peace prize as well. we begin with the stunning racetrack crash that injured more than a dozen fans and sent a star driver to the hospital. it happened at the grand prix in houston. ryan owens is there with the latest. >> reporter: good morning, lara. this is a very scary crash. not just for the drivers who were on the track. several fans ended up at the houston hospital behind me, alongside a driver many of them had come to see. and this morning, he's still

here, following emergency surgery. >> wow, that is a huge crash! >> reporter: it happened seconds from the finish line. watch it again. one car goes airborne, slamming into the fence that is supposed to protect spectators. it didn't. debris rains down on fans. here's how it looks from their terrifyingly close seats. >> debris flew inches from my head. it was a big chunk of tire. my family was really shooken up. >> reporter: she wasn't hurt. 13 fans were. some pinned under the very fence. >> a piece of fence had landed to where a lady was trapped underneath it. she was crawling underneath the fence to get out. >> reporter: the most seriously injured, the man inside that car. three-time indy 500 winner dario franchitti. the 40-year-old suffered a concussion and fractured spine. his wife, ashley judd, tweeted on sunday she was on her way to houston. thank you for the prayers. i have only clothes on my back and the dogs.

we are on our way. this is not the first time action on the track has spilled into the stands. in february, 28 fans were injured by flying debris at the daytona international raceway, when a car hit the catch fence. ironically, after that crash, none other than dario franchitti tweeted, it's time indycar, nascar, other sanctioning bodies and promoters work on an alternative to catchfencing. there has to be a better solution. a number of tracks, including the one here in houston, upgraded the fences they used following a fatal crash in las vegas two yearing ago. but at least one driver, the one still in the hospital behind me, warned it was not enough. george? >> okay, ryan, thank you very much. the latest on the twin terror raids in africa. one by s.e.a.l. team six in somalia. the other in libya to get a top al qaeda leader wanted since

1998 for attacks on american embassies. martha raddatz is tracking this all night love. the libyan raid, a clean capture. the somalia operation ran into trouble. >> reporter: indeed, george. we know the name of the al shabaab leader. his name is ekrema, a kenyan of somali descent. this morning, the al qaeda leader, anas al libi, is being held aboard a ship in the mediterranean. the raids, some 3,000 miles apart, carried out within hours of each other. high-risk, boots on the ground missions. a target in somalia, a senior al shabaab leader. the group that claimed credit for the massacre of the kenyan mall. the u.s. forces leading the raid. the famed s.e.a.l. team six. emerging from the indian ocean before dawn on saturday to a seaside al shabaab compound south of mogadishu. but an intense firefight quickly

erupted. the size of the resistance far greater than the s.e.a.l.s expected. the exchange of gunfire, nearly an hour. the team was forced to withdraw without proof their target had been killed. >> an on the ground commander can exercise judgment about the best course of action is one of the reins you use a s.e.a.l. team like this. >> reporter: in libya, a different story. the man the u.s. has been seeking for 15 years captured. al libi's son and brother telling abc news a convoy of cars approached the home and vehicle, commandos jumped out, said the men, smashing the car and grabbing al libi. there were no shots fired. >> i hope the perception in the world is that people who commit acts of terror will know that the united states of america will do everything in its power, that is legal and appropriate,

in order to enforce the law and protect our security. >> reporter: the captured al qaeda leader will eventually be sent to new york to face trial for the u.s. embassy bombings. lara? >> thank you, martha. and as we just heard, a notorious al qaeda leader apprehended during the sneak attack in tripoli. abu anas al libi is on the way to the united states to face charges. so, who is he and what does his capture mean to the war on terror. brian ross is here with more. >> reporter: the challenge now is to get al libi to talk. and a team of specially trained interrogators are already on the case. al libi was part of osama bin laden's early inner circle of al qaeda terrorists who plotted to attack the united states. >> i think there's a lot he can say. a lot of gaps he can fill. >> reporter: u.s. officials say he was under surveillance in libya for several months. so, the u.s. already has a good idea of how the 49-year-old al qaeda leader and computer expert

might operate and will use it to break him. >> it's called the "we know all" approach or futility approach, where you try to convince a detainee that you know everything. there's no reason for him to withhold it. you can break anybody. the important thing is just to build rapport. get information. figure out what motivates them. >> reporter: he said the fact that his family saw what happened can also be used in the interrogation against them. >> we call that the love of family approach. you emphasize the person's love to the family, relationships with family members in trying to get back to them or ease their burdens by cooperating. >> reporter: and among the big questions for al libi, where is ayman al zawahiri hiding? what role, if any, did al libi play in the murder of the libyan ambassador.

and when and where is the next attack on the u.s. likely to come from al qaeda? under the current u.s. policy, the team of american interrogators will not be using waterboarding or other techniques considered to be torture. instead, they will take time, maybe lots of with a man who represents a huge intelligence coup. >> do they think they can get the answers? >> reporter: if they have enough time. >> thank you. okay. the latest now on the government shutdown. seven days in and neither side is budging. i spoke with house speaker john boehner yesterday on "this week." he was defiant on the shutdown and the serious subject of the debt limit which hits next week. >> i tell you what, george. the nation's credit is at risk because of the administration's refusal to sit down and have a conversation. >> they're saying it's because of your refusal to pass a clean debt limit. >> we're not going to pass a clean debt limit increase.

i told the president. there's no way we're going to pass -- the votes are not in the house to pass a clean debt limit. >> when is this going to end? >> if i knew, i would tell you. >> let's see if we can get answers from jon karl. you saw the defiance. defiance from the white house side as well. markets reacting badly. is there anything going on behind the scenes? >> reporter: i have been in touch with both sides this morning. there is absolutely nothing going on. no meetings planned. no sign of give. in fact, a adviser to the president told me a short while ago, we'll under no circumstances pay ran some for them to lift the debt ceiling. there's absolutely not one iota of movement on the part of the white house saying they will not negotiate on this issue. congress just has to do their job. >> you saw the speaker say there is no end in sight.

what is the optimistic take? >> reporter: there's not a lot of cause for optimism. it is such a bad potential scenario here that it will not happen because both sides know it would be catastrophic. i think realistically the best-case scenario is if they somehow come to an agreement to raise the debt limit even if the shutdown continues. >> now let's go to josh for the news. we're going to begin with the question surrounding an embarrassing airport security breach. a young boy managed to hop a flight from minneapolis to las vegas, alone. without a ticket. slipping through three security checkpoints along the way. abc's alex perez has the story. >> reporter: investigators are scratching their heads this morning, wondering how a 9-year-old runaway beat the security system at one of the nation's largest airports. >> he must know something about the system or simply good luck. >> reporter: thursday morning, cameras at minneapolis st. paul captured the 9-year-old arriving at security.

without a ticket or boarding pass, he is screened and boards the plane to vegas. >> they assume a 9-year-old doesn't have the audacity to do it. basically, 9-year-olds are treated as innocent. >> reporter: not until midflight that flight attendants realize the boy's name is not on the passenger list. police met the flight in sin city. the 9-year-old is no stranger to the minneapolis airport. surveillance cameras captured him taking someone else's luggage from the carousel, and sitting down for a bite to eat, taking off without paying. >> even the server was fooled. >> i think he's a con artist. people beware. beware of him. >> reporter: how did one smart kid outsmart an entire system? for "good morning america," alex perez, abc news. >> a stunning lapse and the most exciting day of that young man's life. meanwhile authorities say the driver of a monster truck

that crashed into a crowd had alcohol on his breath. it is unclear whether the driver was drunk. eight people were killed. and a wildfire threatening the camp pendleton marine base in california is said to be 20% contained. heavy winds have died down. hundreds of evacuees have been able to return home. the fire spread to some four square miles, burning several billings and cars in the process. meanwhile, oversea, new unrest in egypt. at least 51 people killed in clashes between police and supporters of mohamed morsi. today, a massive explosion struck government security headquarters in the normally peaceful town in the sinai peninsula. a zoo worker in oklahoma is recovering after nearly losing her arm after being attacked by a tiger. the zoo says the 20-year-old worker broke a key safety rule, sticking her hand through a

small opening in the cat's cage and then getting stuck. because the attack was the woman's fault, the tiger will not be put down. and for the first time in years, gas prices falling below $3 per gallon in parts of the country. prices have dropped 14 cents in the last two weeks. thanks, in part, to falling oil prices. and now, the best news of the morning. it concerns this red bracelet i wear on my wrist. you may remember him. little jack hoffman. the nebraska football fan who became the greatest running back in the history of cornhusker football. one rush. 80 yards. to the house. >> game over. >> where the entire team took him up in their arms and so made one little boy's day. he had been suffering from brain cancer. that's why they did it. over the weekend, greatest news of all. we learned his cancer is now in remission.

he's undergone more than a year of chemo and his dad calls it the greatest possible situation. i had a chance to meet him back stage at this year's espys. what a wonderful little boy. >> that is a great story. >> give me a high five. a little more inspiration now. diane sawyer's exclusive interview with malala yousafzai. she has had a remarkable recovery. the pakistani teenager shot in the head for speaking out for education of young girls. become the youngest nominee ever for the nobel peace prize. inspiring so many around the world. i think our viewers will be so moved. >> i was amazed by her. the youngest nominee for the peace prize by far. she's a tiny girl with giant light. giant strength. i hope everyone gathers family around. i think all of us need to remember what it is to have this kind of courage just because you want to go to school. in a distant valley, this one

tiny child may be the bravest girl in the world. >> but i almost died. it was just after midday. >> reporter: she grew up surrounded by women with hidden faces and men in the shadows, who destroyed girls' schools. threw acid at the faces of girl students. and yet, she was determined to learn, saying school is like walking through a magic door to your dreams. >> they cannot stop me. i will get my education, in home, school, any place. >> reporter: one year ago, she was on a school bus with other girls. >> on the day that i was shot, all of my friends' faces were covered except mine. >> reporter: was that wise? it was brave, but was it wise? >> i wanted to live my life as i want. >> reporter: a man, with a beard and a gun, stopped the bus and asked, who is malala? he fired three shots at her, point blank.

>> the bullet went through here, down here, here, and here. >> reporter: and through a series of astonishing miracles, from the way the bullet traveled to the doctor who just happened to be there, she woke up ready to lead girls everywhere toward a new day. >> out of this silence came thousands of voices. >> all: i am malala. >> all: i am malala. >> courage was born. >> all: we are malala. >> you see that support ringing all over the world. yet she still is facing danger. >> this is her enormous courage and the courage of her family. they believe we all have to link arms together and stand up for the right of children. i have traveled all these parts of the world. the muslim people, support her. no question. in the majority but there are these dark shadows. i tried to find out why this child, the power of this child,

has targeted her in their view. and i'm -- i'm going to try to bring you the full report and again, you have to remember, she's so small. sometimes she's doing magic tricks for me. like any other teenage girl. the next time, she's showing us how to live. >> so tiny but we all saw that power at the u.n. when she spoke. >> we did. she's electrifying. and she is going to teach us all about courage in our own lives. i promise you. >> you can see diane's exclusive interview tonight on "world news." and her special primetime hour, "unbreakable" airs on "20/20" on friday. her autobiography is out on friday. "i am malala." the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the taliban. and the weather now from sam. >> we have a lot to talk about. who are we if we can't protect the children? who are we if we can't do that. let's do a wow lap of the weekend. from two to four feet of snow in

south dakota and nebraska, and an ef-4 tornado. these are only 320 miles apart. the moisture from the cold front and the tropical moisture get together that we had over the weekend in the gulf and start a line of thunderstorms and thunder showers. montpelier, albany, enjoy the drive to work. your drive home will be very difficult. all travel will be difficult because of the frontal boundary and the strong storms. behind it, more cold air. and we'll have plenty of time to talk about that later this morning.

>> east coast is a soaker. most of the country is pleasant. josh, lara, george, sara. thank you, sam. coming up on "gma," we speak to the biker accused of setting off a terrifying chain of events. in an abc news exclusive. and a possible breakthrough in the search for maddy mccann.

authorities are investigating right now. and madonna speaking out about the terrifying attack that changed her life. >> and -- your video. get ready to roar with katy. ♪ video. get ready to roar with katy. or strong enough for this. bigh there should be some way to make it easier. [ doorbell rings ] [ morty ] here's a box, babe. open it up. oh my goodness! what is a wetjet? some kind of a mopping device. there's a lot of dirt on here. morty, look at how easy it is. it's almost like dancing. [ both humming ] this is called the swiffer dance. ♪ [ male announcer ] laura's heart attack didn't come with a warning. today her doctor has her on a bayer aspirin regimen to help reduce the risk of another one. if you've had a heart attack, be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.

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confined to the roadway. the cross boulevard on and offramps remain closed. officials say it will take several hours to clear the area before the freeway ramps are reopened. here's leyla with more on the commute. and traffic in general in that area's going to be a bit slow, especially if you're heading in the westbound direction, which of course is our commute direction. as we take you into san jose, we've also got this problem. it is a truck that did get a flat tire. right now chp is bringing it to pull over to the shoulder. slow traffic in the southbound direction, but it looks like b.a.r.t., muni, everything running on time. eric. leyla, thank you very much. when w

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♪ the eye of the tiger the fighter ♪ we're getting hundreds of entries for the katy perry roar contest. this is just one of them. we're not going to give too much away. you're going to love it when you see it, one of five finalists coming in. in a little bit, a special message from katy. a lot going on this monday. robin off this morning. great to have lara here, sara haines. good morning, america. and then the biker seen smashing the window of the suv in the road rage case. making an obscene gesture in court. as we talk to the biker who allegedly set off the whole terrifying chain of events. the search for maddy mccann.

a possible breakthrough. a string of burglary there is in portugal could lead to a big break in the case. a break the parents have been waiting years for. >> you always thought. it just didn't make sense. something didn't make sense. and madonna, on top of the world. here's something you don't know. the material girl now revealing about a brutal attack and how it changed her life. i had never heard about it. >> that story, reading it, was shocking. we'll get into that. first, the abc news exclusive interview with the biker at the center of the massive road rage incident president that drive right there who started it all when he allegedly slowed down his motorcycle. the suv bumping him. dan harris sat down with the biker exclusively who set off that terrifying chain of events. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. christopher cruz says he hopes his explanation will make you see that video tape in an

entirely new light. his intervie comes as this case is only heating up with a slew of new developments this morning. overnight, new york city police releasing this photo of another person of interest. as they also investigate reports that two off-duty officers were on the scene of the attack and failed to intervene. on sunday, reginald chance, seen her smashing his helmet against the family sufficient also made a scene in court, raising both middle fingers as he was arraigned on battery of charges including gang assault. we sat down with the biker accused of kicking off the whole thing by pulling in front of the suv, slowing down, and provoking a fender bender where the mab peeled out and seriously injured a biker. as a result of the accident, one man was paralyzed. another man was beaten in front

of his family. do you feel in any way responsible for what happened? >> i don't think i feel responsible. but i do feel -- i do feel bad for the family that got hurt. >> reporter: you're saying those conclusions that we all draw by looking at this, we have got it all wrong? >> yes. >> reporter: christopher cruz, a 28-year-old father of two who works at a car wash says what you see on this tape is not him trying to pick a fight. but rather, an attempt to change lanes so he can look back and figure out where his friends are. it looks like you're trying to slow him down, like you slow down -- >> no, never had intentions to slow him down or cause problems. >> reporter: he points out his brake light never went on and the looks over his shoulders are at his friends. walk me through this. did you have other option? >> i didn't think i was doing

anything wrong except for turning into another lane. >> reporter: but you're going slowly in front of him. >> but the other bikes are going slowly. >> reporter: it looks like you're all trying to get this guy stop. >> my intention was not the make him stop. >> reporter: police don't believe the story. they've charged him with reckless endangerment and unlawful imprisonment. >> i think they needed to make an arrest to satisfy the public. >> reporter: what kind of impact has this had on your life? >> it's turned my life upside down. >> reporter: are you worried about what happens next? >> yes, i am. >> reporter: do you think you can win this case? >> i don't know that. >> reporter: he seems like a scared young man at this point. for whatever reason. based on the current charges against him, he's looking at up to a year in prison. prosecutors have made it clear

they may increase the charges. >> thank you, dan. that brings us to the chief legal affairs anchor, dan abrams. it come down to a tale of the tape. is christopher cruz believable or not? >> the police don't believe him. when you watch the tape, it's hard to believe his account. this is going to be his legal defense. i would expect he'll testify if it goes to trial. this is what he'll testify to. what about what he was thinking. the problem is as you watch that tape, and you watch him go in front and look behind him. and really seem to be slowing down to slow down the car, it's a very hard account. to accept on its face. >> he says he was looking for his friends. there's about five bikers in front of him that are also part of the group. who were you look for? >> he could say the friends were to the side or behind me. the problem is the tape for him. there was no tape out there, we

would be having a very different conversation. it would all be based on accounts. but when you have this tape, so clearly seems to show him slowing down that car, which set this all into motion, that's a big problem for him. >> yeah, indeed. and as dan said, the charges could increase. >> absolutely. the authorities are continues to look at this case. i would not be surprised if they upped the charges. he gave the right answers to dan's questions. we'll see. the latest in the search for maddy mccann. the little girl went missing six years ago. scotland yard is investigating a new lead that her disappearance may have been a part of a botched robbery. >> we will not give up our search. >> reporter: six years after maddy mccann disappeared from her hotel room, her parents are

coming out this morning saying they finally have reason to hope. >> we're confident we're getting closer, just by filling in more pieces of the jig sar. >> reporter: gerry mccann's comments coming out just as scotland yard says they may have the most complete picture of late. 41 people are bpg investigated. police are following up 31 leads based on telephone calls made in the resort area at the time of her disappearance. >> linking real people to the phone numbers you is a significant challenge. >> reporter: speculation ran rampant other the years of what may have happened to maddy that night on vacation. when her parents returned from a dinner with friends to find their daughter missing from her bed. sources suggested she could have been kidnapped by a sex

trafficking organization. a british newspaper recently ascertained she might have been abducted as part of a robbery scotland yard remains mum on further details. they did say this. >> there is no clear, definitive proof, that madeleine mccann is dead. i genuinely believe there's a possibility she's alive. >> reporter: the mccann's will sit down for an interview next monday on "crime watch." they hope it will bring them a step closer to finding their little maddy alive. now the weather from sam. the trouble-making front all weekend long moves to the eastern seaboard. most of the nation is in good shape. the east coast, most of you start out nicely this morning. as the front squeezes closer to the coastline, it's got all kinds of moisture.

one to two inches of rain no problem out of this. it's got the tropical remnant moisture in it. boston, new york, all the way to tallahassee. rain, flash flooding, and locally, two inches or more. cold temperatures in the middle of the country. we're not stepping into cold air yet. we'll warm it up as we go east. chicago, back into the 70s as well. cincinnati. this morning, you know you're going to get another shot at warmer, fres >> quick look at the big boards. some would find that relaxing. >> some would. and did. >> thank you, sam.

coming up, everybody. madonna, opening up about a terrifying attack that shaped her career, and she says, her life. and the nfl under fire. a possible link to football and brain damage. el...squeezed. congested. beat down. crushed. as if the weight of the world is resting on your face. but sudafed gives you maximum strength sinus pressure and pain relief. so you feel free. liberated. released. decongested. open for business. [ inhales, exhales ] [ male announcer ] powerful sinus relief from the #1 pharmacist recommended brand. sudafed. open up. ♪

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♪ ♪ that people are finally getting together. ♪ ♪ i think it's wonderful now ♪ that people are finally getting together. ♪ back now at 7:43. we continue with madonna, opening up about a traumatic incident. the material girl reveals in the

upcoming edition of "harper's bazaar" that he survived a terrifying attack on a roof top when she was 20 years old. >> reporter: this vary look at madonna. in 1982. bold, and confident, no one knew that she had already lived a lifetime of pain. ♪ like a virgin >> reporter: before becoming a worldwide sensation with "like a virgin" the now 55-year-old superstar reveals she was raped soon after moving to new york at just 20 years old. new york wasn't efg i thought it would be. it did not welcome me with open arms. the first year, i was held up at gun point, raped on a roof top of a building. i had my apartment broken into three times. i don't know why. >> anybody who thinks what she

has and what she's created came easily is simply kidding themselves. >> reporter: she alluded to those personal pains when she spoke with "gma" in 1991. >> every bit of happiness i have, there's this much sadness. >> reporter: despite the traumatic experience, she fought her fears of life in the big city. saying i was defiant. hell bent on surviving and making it. it was hard. it was lonely. i had to dare myself every day to keep going. sometimes i would play the victim and cry in my shoe box of a bedroom. ♪ don't go for second best, baby ♪ >> reporter: she didn't express her struggles then. the early days taught her one of many important lessons. if you're not willing to fight for what you believe in, then don't even enter the ring. ♪ express yourself >> reporter: for "good morning america," paula faris, abc news, new york.

>> and she is a fighter indeed. >> she's never gotten out of the ring. >> served her well. is prince harry about to o propose? what his friends are ve vealing right now. and "play of the day." the olympic torch. freeze it. freeze it. don't totally freeze it. b bad things can happen to the flame. thank you. ♪ where might it take you? ♪ where might you go? ♪ introducing kellogg's® to go. ♪ the power of protein and fiber all bottled up in a delicious breakfast shake. get up -- and go. kellogg's®. from great starts come great things. wow...look at you. i've always tried to give it my best shot. these days i'm living with a higher risk of stroke

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right then, here's "the play of the day." >> we were just talking about lights. the russian word for light -- >> impressive. >> we are seeing the torch relay. begin in advance of the winter olympics in sochi. it's been decades. this is champion swimmer, the proudest moment i'm sure of his adult life. carrying the torch in his mother

country, only that torch goes out zplp oh, wait. >> he's a swimmer? >> he was. don't know if he still is. a champion swimmer past. look, not the worry. >> it's not the interneternal f. >> it shall be again. with the 99-cent lighter, the olympic spirit is alive. what is going on over there? and on it goes. on we roar. katy perry. find out who, next. every year. we had a great spot, not easy to find, but worth it. but with copd making it hard to breathe, i thought those days might be over. so my doctor prescribed symbicort. it helps significantly improve my lung function starting within five minutes. symbicort doesn't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. with symbicort, today i'm breathing better. and that means...fish on! symbicort is for copd including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. it should not be taken more than twice a day.

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good morning. i'm kristen sze. we're just days away from the end of the cooling off period and still no deal for b.a.r.t. and its yub ons. the two sides are set to rush to the bargaining table in oakland this morning after a brief meeting over the weekend. union workers could strike friday if a deal is not reached by thursday night at midnight. seeing sunshine right now. let's check in with meteorologist, well, leyla gulen. she's busy. >> exactly. drenched in sunshine for sure, but cooler. as we look at our highs for today, we are going to be in the lower to mid-80s for much of the

bay area. a look at my accuweather seven-day forecast, we've got rain on the way wednesday and temperatures uptick towards the weekend. now, as we head over toward traffic, it is a four-car crash. as you take it over to 580 in the westbound direction right at 980, not particularly causing too much slowing, but

♪ i am a fighter good morning, america. it's 8:00 a.m. ♪ and you're gonna hear me roar ♪ >> weeks after announcing our megacontest with katy perry, it's time to meet the finalists. >> we love you, katy perry! hundreds of entries coming in from coast to coast. schools competing to show who roars the loudest. >> hey, "gma," are you ready to make the announcement? >> we can't wait to share the stories behind these videos. this morning, we meet our first high school finalist, live, on location, as we say -- >> good morning, america. ♪ you held me down but i got up ♪ and there they are, live. it's early in buckeye, arizona. but look how excited everyone in

verrado high school is right now because they've been chosen our first pick in our huge roar contest. it's an amazing story that got them here. fantastic video. look at the spirit we're seeing right now in buckeye, arizona. i think i see a little robin roberts there. >> hello. there's josh. and robin. and me. george. >> i think they're seeing themselves on tv. >> somebody has absconded with giant sam. where is giant sam? that's what i want to know. >> please return and be gentle. >> please don't do anything untoward. unkind with the giant sam head. please don't. >> especially while you're holding a merecat. >> meanwhile -- >> and i'm showing you the cute end. i have the loaded end on the

other side. this is a baby -- >> i have a vocal one. that's the one screaming in the microphone. >> jack hanna is here today. there is not man on the planet who has taught america more about things -- all things wild than our jack hanna. we're going to celebrate him today. and while we try to corral the animals, superstar ballroom dancer julianne hough returning to "dancing with the stars." however, this time not on the floor. she's filling in for len at the judges' table. what do the other pro dancers think about her return and can she fairly judge her brother, derek? >> good point. >> she should recuse herself, no? also ahead, is prince harry headed for a wedding? >> sorry, that was just me. i'm whining again. >> which one is that? is that yours, sara? >> it's mine. she's rather vocal. >> apparently, prince harry may be getting married one day. >> yeah, a lot of people are talking about it. >> i can feel the hype machine revving. >> larry hackett is going to be here to talk about that. we're going to save sara haines right now by going in the news. we'll begin with one of the most wanted terrorists in the

world being questioned on board a u.s. navy ship. interrogators are hoping to get information out of abu anas al libi, the former bin laden associate accused of the u.s. embassy attacks in kenya and tanzania. he was captured by u.s. special forces saturday in libya. the same day that s.e.a.l. team six led a raid in somalia targeting a suspect in the kenyan mall massacre. those troops had to withdraw before confirming if the suspect they were after was killed. at home, the partial government shutdown has entered day seven. with no end in sight, the u.s. inches closer to its first default in history. that deadline hits next week. house speaker john boehner sat down with george on sunday and said, unless president obama agrees to negotiate changes in his health care law and spending cut, there will be to increase in the debt limit. of course all of that looms. and dario franchitti spent the night in a houston hospital.

after this horrific crash at the grand prix of houston. he broke two vertebrae and an ankle and suffered a concussion as well, when he slammed into a fence that is supposed to protect the crowd. however, the margin in this sport, razor thin. 13 spectators were injured as debris went flying. overseas a-a wild scene in paris. more than a dozen men carrying axes caught on camera running from a jewelry store after setting off smoke bombs and smashing display cases and stealing over $1 million in watches. police have arrested five so far. in what's being called the world's greatest white diamond is being auctioned by sotheby's today. >> wow, wow, wow. >> hello, there. >> the 118-karat stone. expected to sell for a cool $35 million. when it sells for much more than that, you can say wow again. two girls in utah got a very early lesson about the rules of the road.

autumn, a 7-year-old and her sister, barbie, were playing with their pink barbie jeep when the battery started to die. so they left it on the street behind their father's car. not a good idea. the next morning, a ticket on the windshield. police charged them with illegally abandoning a vehicle. >> a barbie vehicle. >> no. >> so to sum up, the barbie jeep was parked illegally behind their father's car and it was, in fact, ticketed. no fine however. >> they didn't boot it. >> no boot. just a warning at this point. >> my barbie jeep, that's happened to, too. sara haines has been de-bearcatted. >> i lost my kitty cat. a weekend out of this world for george clooney and sandra bullock. their brand-new movie "gravity" soaring to number one in the box office. breaking $55 million and marking

the biggest october debut ever. you know it's hit cold when a movie break ace record for a-listers like clooney and bullock. the biggest october opening for both of them. the oscar buzz is rolling in. >> in reading about the movie, years in the making. >> difficult for both of them to make. now to a bartender who got a tip of a lifetime, hitting the jackpot, if you will. aurora was on a closing shift at a restaurant in springfield, oregon, when one of her customers gave her a couple of unplayed tickets from the oregon lottery. the first one won her five bucks. >> that's great. the second, 17,500 big ones. she tried to return the ticket to the customer. he refused to take it. >> that is really great. >> he bought drinks to celebrate for her. she returned to work the next night.

>> cool. >> for sure. >> so the question, will you go back to work when you win the lottery? >> i'm hearing she gave him a portion of it to say thank you. >> and she donated some of it to charity. the only purchase she really wants to make is a couch. >> well, congratulations. and you may be wondering why i brought some iconic toys with me this morning. it turns out, the national toy hall of fame just announced its list of potential hall-of-famers for 2013. after an online open vote, museum curators came together to narrow it down to 12 finalists, including a personal favorite for me. made a lot of life decisions for me. that's why i'm here today, the magic 8 ball. and others, the classic rubber ducky. a chess game. so many things to consider when choosing the inductees, they consider icon status, longevity. >> a contest that includes chess and a rubber ducky. >> chess is not part of the toy hall of fame? >> there were nurf balls in there.

>> the game clue. >> yeah, take your time. >> it is decidedly so, josh. >> wow. >> it is decidedly so. >> let's get to sam. hello, everybody. look out here in times square. a little threat of afternoon rain is not going to slow this crowd down. whose birthday is it today? >> my mom, muriel. >> happy birthday to you. we don't do numbers. i wouldn't do numbers. probably 22, 23, that's what i'm guessing. maybe 23. >> gladly. >> glad you're here. thank you so much for coming. let's get to the boards. one or two things happening with us. how about 57, 58 degrees in the northwest. a big difference from 70 over the weekend. in comes the cold front. it will make a change in some cases. kind of bringing back to cloudy. into the southwest, not dropping the temperatures. still on the warm side. but there is a big change coming earlier this week. tuesday, into wednesday, numbers get cooler. so will the snow levels in the mountains. at about 4,000 feet if this front makes it all the way down.

there's atlanta, 75. dallas, 83. duluth, good morning at about 57 degrees. no, no, you're fine. you get on tv. >> i mean, i know i smell like bearcats. but you can get up close. you can get up close to get on tv. we're live in times square. let's go inside to sara haines. good morning, sara. >> good morning, sam. here's a look at what's ahead on the "gma morning menu." meg ryan's life. why she left hollywood behind. julianne hough back on

"dancing with the stars." and we're moments away from meeting the first finalist on the roar with katy perry contest. all coming up live on "gma." here in times square.

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i didn't want to give up, and now i can continue to have them. you know, from our 4,000 television commercials. yep, there i am with flo. hoo-hoo! watch it! [chuckles] anyhoo, 3 million people switched to me last year, saving an average of $475. [sigh] it feels good to help people save... with great discounts like safe driver, multicar, and multipolicy. so call me today. you'll be glad you did. cannonbox! [splash!] >> all: we love you, katy! [ cheers and applause ] >> we love you, verrado high school, in buckeye, arizona. so much fun. the first finalists in our katy perry roar contest. we'll meet them in just a little bit. a lot of spirit this morning. inside, to the "gma heat index." a lot of story. miley cyrus, meg ryan.

and meg ryan on the cover of "people," which brings us to the editor of "people." >> it was a good choice. let's start with miley cyrus. here's what she did on "saturday night live." >> oh, look, it's teddy. great rehearsals earlier. >> we shouldn't be doing this! this is for kids! >> okay. i'll see you on stage. >> okay, why do you keep doing that thing with your tongue? >> i'm having tiny strokes, y'all. >> you think she crushed it? >> i thought she was fantastic. >> the young hannah montana was also fantastic. so much conversation about what is going on here. leave her alone, this is terrible. pop stars weighing in, annie lennox and sinead o'connor. i thought she was fantastic. >> a lot of us thinking is she out of control?

is she going through some early life crisis? but there's a lot of strategy here. >> there's a lot of conversation going on about women in pop music and the idea of being oversexualized. i think it's a fantastic conversation. i think it's understandable for parents to be concerned. she might allay the concerns. >> we're having the conversation because of what she's doing. if this is a strategy, i'll be a minority voice here. it makes what happened at the mtv awards, it makes these videos, all the more -- they seem a bit desperate then. if this is strictly about the marketing. i'm sorry. i have a tough one here. >> if she's that smart and that good, then just be that smart and that good. >> we'll see what happens. other pop stars like lord. out of new zealand. and there's nothing you know -- >> and she's number one. >> exactly. so it's a really, really

interesting conversation. >> all right. >> okay, let's get on, how about prince harry. you buy it? is he getting married? >> brettish papers are beside themselves right now. he's in australia. the rumor is he would be marrying this woman, cressida bonas. her mother is lady curzon. she's been married four times. she was a society girl in the 1960s. and cressida has a half sister who dated, guess who? prince william. >> oh. >> oh. >> so there are rumors out there that kate may not be thrilled about this union. everybody is all married. >> he was asked about it. he laughed. how do we get him laughing about it to suddenly make the jump. >> you would laugh, too. he's in australia. those in the know say things have heated up. whether or not marriage is eminent, we'll see. but things picking up. the cover of meg ryan is

causing a real buzz on the internet. >> this is an interesting story. she was out of hollywood for a while. she moved to new york. dating john mellencamp. it's an interesting story. this idea of who she was, the america's sweetheart notion was something of a prison. living in new york, she gets to live a life not just about the movies. and she's unbelievably happy. she's done all that and now she's living the life she wants to live. >> it makes me happy. >> great for her. >> thank you, larry. nice cover. >> thank you. up next, on "the heat index," a bit of a new twist in the ballroom tonight. julianne hough is back. not to dance. the former pro will be putting her expertise to the test as a judge. "gma's" cameron mathison has more. >> the new champions of "dancing with the stars." >> reporter: she won the mirrorball trophy twice. >> back-to-back championships. >> reporter: after leaving the show to make music and movies, julianne hough realized "dancing

with the stars" is always in her heart. >> i miss dancing with so mu >> reporter: tonight, she' s returning to the ballroom. not to compete, but to judge. she's filling in for len goodman to has the night off. >> i'm so excited. i know how it feels to be on the floor. >> i'm going to miss len. this is supposed to be a ballroom show. he represents ballroom. >> the interplay was terrific. >> it will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes. >> we'll be able to be more creative and experimental because he's gone. that's always good. >> i know what it takes to put the effort and the time in. >> to have someone like her who has been on both sides of the competition is exciting. >> julianne tonight will judge ten dances, including a competitive dance by her brother.

it is a tv show. i'm sure she'll be a fair judge. she'll do amazing. >> i think she'll be tougher on her brother, derek. >> she's going to be fair. she's professional in anything she does. >> she has hinted she doesn't favor low scores, like -- >> 4! >> i want to feel the paddles. don't be surprised if like the 4s are just kicked out and just gone. i'm just saying. >> whoa. >> reporter: is hough tough? she tweeted that the angel with devil horns is back. watch out. >> she's an angel. but she definitely has devil horns. >> reporter: for "good morning america," cameron mathison. abc news, los angeles. one star that may have a little trouble tonight. she tweeted that her knees giving her troubles. amber riley. derek hough, her partner. i think it's the wear and tear. we get into week four, week five, week six. you can see what kind of judge julianne will be tonight at 8:00

7:00 central right here on abc. >> anxious to see her. always loved her as a dancer. this will be fun. so is this. we're so excited. the first high school finalist chosen by none other than katy perry herself. 1 of 5 here. we had so many entries. the superstar challenged high schools across the country to make their own videos to her smash hit, "roar." the winning school gets a live concert from the star. broadcast on "gma." here's entrant number one, verrado, high school, in buckeye, arizona. >> verrado! >> reporter: when it comes to roaring, the verrado high school cheerleaders are hard to match. but there's no doubt one of them roars the loudest. >> all: let's go verrado. >> reporter: 18-year-old megan. this arizona senior's tale of triumph began four years ago,

when despite having down's syndrome, she chased her dream of becoming a cheerleader. >> we sat her down and said, you don't walk on this cheer team. you work. and she rocked it. >> reporter: so when katy perry put out a call for schools to show how loud they can roar, clayton decided to share megan's story with the world. writing and directing the school's very own roar video with megan as a star. ♪ >> i was superexcited when clay wanted me to be in the video. >> it's a chain reaction of how this one simple girl can spark a revolution. >> reporter: the video went viral instantly and even made headlines. >> verrado high school buckeyes decided to highlight a most inspiring student. now the students hope their unique story has what it takes to get katy perry to roar on into verrado high school.

>> i think she should come because we worked really hard on this video. >> all: we love you, katy! >> reporter: and now here it is. ♪ i used to bite my tongue and hold my breath ♪ ♪ scared to rock the boat and make a mess ♪ ♪ so, i sat quietly agreed politely ♪ ♪ i guess that i forgot i had a choice ♪ ♪ i let you push me past the breaking point ♪ ♪ i stood for nothing so, i fell for everything ♪ ♪ you held me down but i got up ♪ ♪ already brushing off the dust ♪ ♪ you hear my voice you hear that sound ♪ ♪ like thunder gonna shake the ground ♪ ♪ you held me down but i got up ♪ ♪ get ready 'cause i've had enough ♪ ♪ i see it all i see it now ♪ i got the eye of the tiger ♪ a fighter dancing through the fire ♪ ♪ 'cause i am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar ♪ ♪ roar roar roar roar

♪ roar ♪ i got the eye of the tiger a fighter dancing through the fire cause i am a champion ♪ ♪ and you're gonna hear me roar louder louder than that lion because i am a champion ♪ ♪ and you're gonna hear me roar ♪ >> wow. >> they have raised the bar. >> the chills. that is finalist number one of five. that is going to be tough to beat. we want to go live to verrado and meet the man who made it. the young man, clayton mueller. who made the video and also some of the cheerleaders. the star of the video, none other than megan squire.

hi, good morning, can you all hear me? >> good morning. >> good morning. >> we hear you. >> way to go, guys. congratulations. you gave us all chills. >> clayton, what was it about megan that made you say, you know what, i'm doing this? >> she has such an incredible story to be told. she works as hard as everybody else. we really deserve this. [ laughter ] >> what will it mean, you do deserve it. and guys, i believe you're going to be tough to beat. i'm anxious to see the other entrants. what will this mean to your high school if katy perry were to come there and perform for you? >> it would mean a lot. it's a very unique high school. and -- she will have a great time here. >> and i want to ask one of megan's teammates, kinsley, tell us how megan is. what is she like as a fellow cheerleader? >> she's awesome. she works just as hard as us. she's on the sidelines. on the mats.

she's at every practice. she's just another teammate. >> clayton, i gotta say, you have a future as a film director. the pacing of the video. no words. the way you told that story with no words just showing what happened was simply incredible. >> thank you. >> is that something you want to do, clayton? >> yeah, i kind of want to be a director or a veterinarian. [ laughter ] >> well, you know, do both. go for it all. >> i love it. >> so fantastic. >> i love it. >> any requests. what songs do you want katy to sing? obviously, roar. >> dark horse. i like dark horse and walking on air. >> and how about you, ladies? kinsley, katy is watching. trust us. what songs do you want to hear her sing for your school? >> oh, wow. roar, of course.

>> congratulations. the bar is so high thanks to you. thank you, clayton. congratulate you, megan. >> thank you, guys. >> all the students of verrado. in buckeye. it's going to be exciting.

good morning. i'm kristen sze. developing news in richmond where a propane tanker rolled over along interstate 80 at carlton boulevard this morning. it happened around 3:00 and forced evacuations at nearby hotel. fire crews say the tanker was slowly leaking propane, but it is confined to the roadway. carlton boulevard on and offramp to i-80 remain closed. officials say it will take a couple hours more to clear the area before the freeway ramps are reopened. let's get a check on the commute with leyla gulen. an alternate to those routes around it. as you head into san jose, excuse me, 101 at tremble road, backup from the 280 split. it stays packed right by the san jose airport. here's a look outside at san

rafael. you can see a build-up of traffic out there going to take you at least 15 minutes to head from highway 37 to 580. kristen. all right, leyla, thanks. ♪ nice car. sure is. make a deal with me, kid, and you can have the car and everything that goes along with it. [ thunder crashes, tires squeal ] ♪ ♪ so, what do you say? thanks... but i think i got this. ♪ [ male announcer ] the all-new cla. starting at $29,900.

welcome back. time is now 8:30. as we take a look right now, highs today really topping out in the low 70s today low 80s. we've got a five to ten degree difference from yesterday. a look at overnight lows.

we are topping out at about 52 degrees in san mateo. my seven-day forecast, rain [ cheers and applause ] what a beautiful crowd. beautiful monday morning here in times square. as we say -- stress, stress, stress, you're okay. we say good morning, america. >> monday morning. a lot of happiness for our good friend, jack hanna. we're in the control room now with a few animals. denise got the beaveron there. i got the name wrong. a vinturon. she looks very happy. denise is back from her honeymoon. lily's got a lemur on her shoulder. she's looking very calm. she can still call the shots with a lemur on her shoulder. >> oh, no. is that a sloth? >> that's a sloth.

hanging out in the control room. please don't make me say anything about wild animals and our control room. please don't. >> oh, look. >> and the halls were full. no, that's not us running through the hallways. this time, it's penguins. we're all here to celebrate jack hanna's 30th anniversary on this show, by the way. an amazing, amazing, amazing thing. >> hard to believe. also ahead, a very important story. is there a link between concussions and brain damage being suffered in the nfl by thousands of players? a controversial new book and new documentary soon to come out looks at a growing health crisis in america's signature sport. does the nfl know more than it's revealing to the public and its players? a lot of questions to be asked and answered. again, in a book. we'll have that for you coming right up. >> that is fantastic to talk about. and a big exclusive. a big "gma" event tomorrow.

diana nyad, who just made history with the swim from cuba to florida. well, already she's getting back in the water and for a great cause. this time, to help people so devastated by superstorm sandy. we'll tell you more ahead. before tom -- tomorrow's big kickoff. right now, know, we need to get a little wild with sam champion. >> we should. we should. get weather out of the way, though. we need to talk something about these clouds. and from times square. to a beautiful picture of san francisco. absolutely gorgeous. do we have those shots? yes? yes? yes. we do. there you go. >> yes! >> that's what i'm talking about. >> look at the marina. >> a shot from killington, vermont. the weather team spent time in vermont this weekend. glad to have them all back safe and sound. and we'll take a look at where the area of low pressure was. the remnants of what was that tropical system is now a rainmaker for the entire eastern seaboard.

yes, even here in times square, ladies and gentlemen, by the drive time home, we're hitting the rain. watch new york city by wednesday, 67 for a high. this is a short cool spell. not in for the full run yet. all that weather brought to you by progressive. >> all that weather was brought to you by progressive. why is is josh wearing the blue shirt? not just josh, but the folks all over. by the way, we're honoring p ii shirt day. world day of bullying prevention. a campaign started by stomp out bullying. it draws attention to the 13 million kids -- >> 13 million kids? >> that can't be right.

that can't be right, because we wouldn't let that happen in this country. 13 million kids bullied in the u.s. every year. the audience is wearing the shirts and some celebrities have led a message to lead the campaign. the message is simple. stomp out bullying and cyber bullying. this should be something very easy is to stop. >> it's a national scourge. stop bullying now. stop it. >> if you see it, if you see it in the hallways, if you see it going on, just, just tell people to stop it. now let's turn the tide and make it cool not to bully people. how about that? how about that? where are we going? lara? >> thank you so much, sam. i'm here with the stunning, absolutely stunning star of the abc hit show "castle." stana katic is with us now. so much excitement coming up on season six. big changes happening. in the life of her character, kate beckett.

and we say to you, good morning, america. how are you? >> thank you. good morning, america. i'm so happy to be here. >> big doings. you have accepted castle's marriage proposal. >> yes. >> life has changed. >> it's a big step for the two of them. they had a lot of that will they, won't they for a long time. >> which was so fun. >> finally, they're committed to each other. it will be interesting to see how that trickles down. i'm sure everyone has an opinion on weddings and dresses and such. >> the dynamic is quite different. i want to show everybody a little clip of beckett and castle in action. take a look. >> what was the harm in giving me a little tidbit? >> this is a bribe. castle. you're bribing me with a latte. >> no, i am not. come on. don't be ridiculous. >> this is low, even for you.

>> look, i can solve this. i just need a little more to go on. >> castle, you're not going to castle me on this one. >> you're not gonna castle me on this one. so well said. season six under way. congratulations on cbgb. a new movie. you're playing a rock 'n' roller? >> yeah, skanya raven. she was a rock producer. she was the leader of the first all-female rock band here in new york. and she still performs here. she has amazing stories. i got to meet her. >> i'm guessing that you're way too young. but did you every get to cbgb? >> i did. i was 17. i snuck in. which is, really great information for your morning audience. >> that's all right. makes you human. congrats on the movie. and on castle, a show we have all loved. season six. >> thank you so much. >> and over to george. let me remind everybody, airs tonight, 10:00, 9:00 central.

right here on abc. >> we will be watching. and to the "gma" special event, tomorrow, a story of diana nyad. setting a new record to help people slammed by hurricane sandy. take a look. she's the definition of perseverance, determination, and triumphs. after four failed attempts, she inspired the world last month with the successful swim from cuba to florida. 110 miles. it took 36 years of never giving up. >> you're never too old to chase your dreams. >> that's right. >> reporter: if you thought the 64-year-old would hang up the swim goggles, you were wrong. her next challenge will test her physical limits again. while raising awareness and money for the victims of superstorm sandy. >> we're installing a cool engineered pool in herald square. i'm swimming for 48 hours to show my solidarity with what they went through. >> reporter: nyad's swim kicks

off tomorrow on "gma." swimming alongside her will be friends, like ryan lochtlochte, hollywood star nicki reid, and everyday new yorkers. she hopes her swim continues to inspire others to dream big. >> most people want to be valued members of their community. they want to help each other. they want to live a good life. laugh, love, live, and help. those are the people i admire. >> all of the proceeds go to help the victims of hurricane sandy. you can get all the details at goodmorningamerica.com on yahoo!. coming up, the nfl and brain injuries.

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professional football, what has become america's sport. the show seems spectacular. the hits more violent than ever. now the nfl must confront a most serious issue. the possible correlation between football and brain damage. two award-winning journalists allege that the nfl waged a two decades long campaign to help cover up any potential link. they've written a book, called "league of denial." the nfl concussions and the battle for truth. they've produced a documentary for front line. take a look. >> at what price glory. the hall of fame center mike webster died at the age of 50, after years of combat on the field.

>> reporter: legendary nfl center mike webster, one of the best to ever play his position, died in 2002 after suffering for years with dementia and depression. disorders that can be associated with repeated head trauma. >> he had heart disease and brain damage. >> reporter: after his death, webster would become the first nfl player diagnosed with the nour lodge neurological disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. since 2005, dr. ann mckee has studied the brains of 46 former nfl players. she spoke with the brothers and pbs's frontline about her findings. >> we have an enormously high hit rate. that would be extraordinary with any other disease to pull in that many cases with just those

cases that were suspected. i think the incidents and prevalence have to be a lot higher than people realize. >> to her, it may the the beginnings of an epidemic. >> i think it will be a shockingly high percentage. i'm wondering where this stops. i'm wondering on some level if every single football player doesn't have this. >> the numbers then and now, they are striking. >> there's 54 brains of former nfl players that have been studied. of those 54, 52 have been diagnosed with cte. >> reporter: while the evidence is relatively new, the controversy is not. the league just settled a suit with thousands of former players agreeing to pay $765 million in medical benefits without admitting any liability. >> what did the league know, when did it know it, and to what extent did it try to bury science? >> reporter: in 1994, paul tagliabue created a committee. the mild traumatic brain injury committee. >> that committee became the

vehicle by which the nfl denied the significance of the issue for the next 16 years. >> reporter: in 2007, a meeting in chicago was held with the nfl, where new commissioner, roger goodell, having taken over for tagliabue, spoke on the matter. captured on tape in the new frontline documentary. >> the new evidence is that the doctors are making excellent decisions. it's proven by the research done that looks at that issue. intensively. >> the head of goodell's concussion committee took on the critics. >> anecdotes do not make scientifically valid evidence. i'm a man of science. i believe in empirically determined, scientifically valid data. and that is not scientifically valid data. >> he insisted there is no evidence that football players are at risk for cte. >> in my opinion, the only proof

of cte in some athletes is in boxers and in some steeplechase jockeys. >> reporter: nevertheless, in 2009, dr. mckee was invited to speak. >> she's bringing pieces of brain into the nfl offices and having the committee look at the brains and examine them themselves. and think about what the implications of what this are. and they're just basically shredding her work, telling her she's wrong. not really even considering it. >> reporter: there's a comparison to the nfl to big tobacco. why? >> the nfl creates this scientific body that would some what suggest in some ways they cherry pick data to cook the books on whether concussions are serious. and then there's a massive attack on those independent scientists suggesting clearly that there's a connection between football and long-term brain damage. >> now in a statement to abc

news, the nfl said it has made and i do quote a profound commitment to the health and safety of its players. end quote. and also, that and i quote, the results have been both meaningful and measurable. we will not waver in our long-term commitment to a better and safer game at all levels, unquote. a discussion that has certainly just begun. much to get to on the program. it's with our guest of honor. jack hanna. for 30 years now, a "gma" guest. he's brought a young little leopard. go nowhere. with my united mileageplus explorer card. i've saved $75 in checked bag fees. [ delavane ] priority boarding is really important to us.

you can just get on the plane and relax. [ julian ] having a card that doesn't charge you foreign transaction fees saves me a ton of money. [ we can go to any country and spend money the way we would in the u.s. when i spend money on this card, i can see brazil in my future. [ anthony ] i use the explorer card to earn miles in order to go visit my family, which means a lot to me. ♪ in order to go visit my family, which means a lot to me. i search for the perfect blue... bi share as soon as i find it.

because when you score a designer this amazing... for so much less. it's the best feeling ever. see the real deal. search hashtag maxxinista wait 'til you see the designers people are scoring. t.j.maxx. amazing. >> i want to be jack hanna.

i've said it for 30 years now. ladies and gentlemen. jack hanna. 30 years. we're so excited to be here. >> come on, come on! >> for the one and only. >> jack, you started this whole thing, my friend. you made animals on television in a way that people can understand them and want to help them and protect them. let's take a look back. if you would, please, sir. let's take a look back. >> i know, but, he has to lick his armpit. >> okay. >> the back legs are longer than the front legs. >> that's right. >> reporter: for more than 30 years, jack hanna has been our link to some of the world's furriest, funniest creatures. >> they steal my underwear. they do all sorts of things. let him go down your shirt. let him go down your shirt. >> let him go down my shirt? >> reporter: he brings the wild to "gma." felines, marsupials, reptiles,

and primates. >> on the lens of the camera. great. >> reporter: some love the cameras more than others. it started back in 1983, when jack shows "gma" the first twin gorillas born in human care in the western hemisphere. >> don't move. >> i won't move. the dingo will haunt me. >> reporter: he's taught us so much more about nature. >> watch it, lara. watch it, lara. >> reporter: some moments stole our hearts. >> they also carry certain diseases that -- >> well-timed jack. >> reporter: and others tickled our funny bones. >> we're all hanging out. we have a little time. let's get the monitor lizards out. >> reporter: others left us and the celebrities hanging around "gma" running for cover. >> can i get some gloves. >> what? >> reporter: each experience in 30 years has one thing in common. our friend, jack. amazing knowledge. perfect timing. let's welcome jack hanna. >> thank you.

you thank me. but if you think about it, 30 years, the tens of millions of people you have reached to teach about conservation in america. the columbus zoo and the association of zoos can't thank you enough. >> celebrating with some of the wonderful animals that you always bring us. >> what have you got? hey. >> these are the fastest land animals. we breed these animals. a kheetah -- cheetah is very endangered. the black marks under their eyes reflect the light. if you look at the legs. the animal grows this way. they look like a greyhound. >> they're running down everything on earth. >> the thing where a tiger kills

a water buffalo. 2,000, 3,000 pounds, it can happen in less than 30 seconds with a tiger. these animals are not that strong. >> who else do you have? will these two like each other? is there going to be an issue, like the sharks and the jets? "west side story" happening. >> oh, no, he doesn't want to leave. >> we got a cat fight. >> look at the paws on this thing. >> i want you to appreciate these. these are in the species survival plan. feel the fur there. >> making noises. >> back in the old days, in the old days, that people did use these for coats. that's stopped. the animals are gorgeous. >> do you think that these cats like cake, because we have a special treat for you. >> we couldn't not. we couldn't not. >> buddy valastro, cake boss, made you a special wild cake to thank you for 30 incredible years. of animals and goodness. we're going to cut it. we'll be right back. jack hanna.

>> jack hanna. jack hanna. [ cheers and applause ]

well, jack, do the honors here. celebrate the 30 years here. look at that beautiful cake. do the first cut. >> i can't believe this is real. >> we have a whole lot to

celebrate this week on "gma." congratulations to our senior producer, he tied the knot over the weekend. all the best. look at the happy couple there. >> congratulations to them. tomorrow on "gma," the next ousted couple on "dancing with the stars." they're with us live, flying through the night. and katy perry finalist number two. it will be tough to top today's. we'll try. as we celebrate 30 years of jack hanna.

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good morning. i'm kristen sze. the first nobel prize winners of the year were announced this morning. they share the nobel prize in medicine along with a yale professor for their work in cell research. researching your traffic this morning and your weather forecast, here's leyla. well, we have an onshore flow bringing in cooler temperatures. we'll be resting in the lower 80s for much of the bay area. look at my accuweather seven-day forecast, slight chance of sprinkles on wednesday with a warmup beginning thursday and into the weekend. now, we do have a problem, this is in richmond. it's now a sigalert. we have both the on and offramp to eastbound and westbound 80 at

carlton boulevard shutdown due to an overturned tanker kelly & micht's "live! with kelly & michael." today, academy award winning actor, tom hanks. and long distance swimming legend, diana nyad. plus, your comments and questions on another edition of kelly and michael's "inbox." all next on "live." now, here are kelly ripa and michael strahan! [cheers and applause] ♪ kelly: thank