Danny Groner
Baylor’s Robert Griffin III Named Sporting News’ Player of the Year for His Off-the-Field Wins
Less than a week after winning the Heisman Trophy, Baylor junior standout Robert Griffin III was named the Sporting News’ player of the year. The quarterback helped revitalize the flailing Baylor college football program, and helped propel them to a 9-3 record this season.
Miami Dolphins Fire Head Coach Tony Sparano
Well, Todd Haley isn’t the only coach looking for work now.
The Miami Dolphins also fired their head coach, announcing that Tony Sparano (not to be confused with Tony Soprano) is being replaced by defensive backs coach Todd Bowles for the team’s remaining three games this season. The Dolphins sit at 4-9 after starting the season 0-7. In total, Sparano was 29-32 with Miami in his four years there
Fred Thompson, Oregon State Freshman Player, Dies of a Heart Attack
Oregon State freshman defensive tackle Fred Thompson died Wednesday night of a heart attack, sending shock waves around the university’s campus and through the Beavers’ football program. The 6′ 4”, 317-pound athlete was playing pick-up basketball at the time of his collapse.
Crazed Football Fans Injure Themselves Rushing the Field After Oklahoma Win [VIDEO]
Hordes of football enthusiasts took the title of crazed fans to a new level on Saturday. After #3 ranked Oklahoma State took care of #10 Oklahoma 44-10, thousands of fans rushed the field, tearing down goalposts, and leaving 13 people injured, including two in critical condition.
Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball Coach Kurt Budke Killed in Plane Crash
Oklahoma State, which dealt with the tragic deaths of 10 people in a 2001 plane crash, including some men’s basketball players, is reeling from another crash that took the lives of women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and an assistant coach, Miranda Serna.
Wilson Ramos Rescued in Police Raid on His Kidnappers in Venezuela
After 51 hours in captivity, Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was rescued on Friday after being kidnapped from his home in Venezuela. Investigators quickly found the car used to abduct Ramos, and the house used to prepare for the kidnapping. From there, they zoned in on a cabin in the mountains where they suspected Ramos was being held.
Rex Ryan Will Play a Patriots Fan in New Adam Sandler Movie
New York Jets’ coach Rex Ryan will make his movie debut in an upcoming untitled Adam Sandler comedy that cast Ryan as, of all things, a New England Patriots’ fan.
Terrell Owens Gets an Offer — From an Arena Football League Team
Terrell Owens is so desperate to get back to football that, trying to make an impression on an NFL team, he held a televised workout on Tuesday.
While no NFL teams bit, Owens did get one offer: from the Arena Football League’s Chicago Rush, at $400 per week.
IndyCar Driver Dan Wheldon Dies in Fiery Pileup [PHOTO, VIDEO]
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed on Sunday after his car collided with others during the IndyCar Series season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His death was pronounced approximately two hours after he was airlifted to University Medical Center.
Fox Sports Admits Making Up Headlines Questioning Jay Cutler’s Toughness
Wanting to stress that some people have questioned Jay Cutler’s toughness, Fox Sports ran a graphic on air of a series of headlines — including “Cutler Lacks Courage” — during the Chicago Bears season opener that criticized Cutler in Chicago for leaving last season’s NFC Championship game last season with an injury.
Forty-Four People Die When Plane Carrying Russian Ice Hockey Team Crashes
Forty-four people were killed when a Russian jet carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team for the Kontinental Hockey League’s first game of the season crashed on takeoff on Wednesday.
It’s just the latest accident this summer involving Russian airliners — two other accidents killed a total 54 people which has led to calls for stricter safety guidelines.
Bubba Smith, ‘Police Academy’ and NFL Star, Dead at 66
Charles Aaron “Bubba” Smith, who was a feared defense end for the Baltimore Colts and found a Hollywood career in retirement, was found dead at his home on Wednesday. He was 66. The cause of death has not yet been announced.
Perhaps best known for his role as Lt. Moses Hightower in the ‘Police Academy’ film series, the 6-foot-7 Smith was the number one overall pick in the 1967 National Football L