Associated Press
PRO FOOTBALL
Autopsy: Cowboys player killed in car crash was sober
DALLAS -- An autopsy has found that Dallas Cowboys practice squad player Jerry Brown Jr. was sober when he was killed in a crash that led to an intoxication manslaughter charge against the teammate at the wheel.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office reported Thursday that Brown died of head and neck trauma when their vehicle overturned. He had a dislocated neck, a severely bruised spine and a blood alcohol content of 0.056 percent. That's well below the Texas drunken driving standard of 0.08 percent.
Police have said Cowboys nose guard Josh Brent, who was driving, had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit when after the Dec. 8 crash in Irving, a Dallas suburb. He remains free on $100,000 bond.
Police say neither man was wearing a seatbelt.
Akers got death threats on Twitter
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers placekicker David Akers says he received death threats on Twitter and has closed the account.
Akers says the threats came last week. Once he saw them, he reported it to team and NFL security personnel.
He also reveals Thursday that he underwent double hernia surgery last February following his All-Pro season. Akers went to see the same doctor in Philadelphia this season to have injections.
Unlike 2011, when he made 44-of-52 field goals, Akers has been in a slump this season. He is 29-for-42 on field goals.
Reid, Chiefs nearing deal to be coach
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Andy Reid is nearing a deal to replace Romeo Crennel as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Reid has no plans to interview for other jobs, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations.
The Philadelphia Eagles fired Reid on Monday, the same day the Chiefs parted ways with Crennel. Several members of the Chiefs met with Reid, who has also been linked to openings in Arizona and San Diego, for close to nine hours on Wednesday.
Reid was fired after 14 seasons, six division titles and a Super Bowl appearance.
Colts allow Bears to interview Arians
INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has been given permission to interview with the Chicago Bears for their head coaching job.
The Colts said they granted permission Thursday. It remains unclear when the meeting will take place because teams cannot interview coaches whose teams are still in the playoffs.
The Bears are trying to replace Lovie Smith, who was fired Monday. They're believed to be looking for someone who can jump-start an offense that has repeatedly struggled to be consistent.
Arians has never been an NFL head coach but he went 9-3 while filling in for coach Chuck Pagano. The San Diego Chargers also are reportedly interested in Arians, but the Colts have not confirmed that they've received a request.
Eagles set to speak with Broncos' OC
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles will interview Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Sunday in Denver.
The Eagles, who fired Andy Reid on Monday after a 4-12 season in which they finished in last place in the NFC East, have already interviewed Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, and also have interest in some college coaches, namely Oregon's Chip Kelly and Penn State's Bill O'Brien.
McCoy, 40, engineered an offense around quarterback Peyton Manning this season. Denver went 13-3 this year, secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and have a bye this weekend. The Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total offense and second in scoring offense.
The Eagles have missed the playoffs the last two seasons after winning the NFC East in 2010.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Michigan State's Bell leaving for NFL
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell will skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.
Bell rushed for 1,793 yards on 382 carries this season, shouldering a heavy workload in his first year as the clear focal point of the Spartans' offense. He says this was the hardest decision of his life, but he couldn't pass up an opportunity to pursue his dream and potentially change his mother's life.
Coach Mark Dantonio says although he felt there was "both personal and program value" in Bell returning to the Spartans, he acknowledges the tough choice his player needed to make.
South Carolina QB Shaw to have surgery
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw will have surgery on his left foot Friday.
Athletic spokesman Steve Fink made the announcement Thursday. The quarterback was injured in a win over Tennessee on Oct. 27 but played in wins over Arkansas and Wofford.
The junior missed the Gamecocks 27-17 victory over Clemson because of the injury. He was back as a starter in Tuesday's 33-28 win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl. However, he had to give way to backup Dylan Thompson for South Carolina's final, game-winning drive against the Wolverines that ended with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Thompson to Bruce Ellington with 11 seconds left.
Shaw completed 18-of-26 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan. He was
BASEBALL
Reliever Frasor signs 1-year deal with Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Right-handed reliever Jason Frasor has signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.
The 35-year-old Frasor has spent most of his career with Toronto since making his major league debut in 2004. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox midway through the 2011 season, but was dealt back to the Blue Jays at end of that year.
Police issue Romo summons in Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo is facing a misdemeanor summons in Las Vegas alleging he violated airport rules after being detained by authorities at McCarran International Airport on New Year's Day.
The federal Transportation Security Administration issued a statement Thursday saying Romo failed to provide proper identification at a document checkpoint and engaged in a dispute with TSA officers about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Comments