NO X GAMES FOR THE FLYING TOMATO
ASPEN (AP) – Shaun White is out again for the Winter X Games.
After making the trip to Aspen, even making a practice run or two, the 13-time X Games snowboarding titlist decided against competing this week. He had originally said he was out, then changed his mind and entered. Then, on Wednesday, he pulled out again.
He says the schedule wouldn’t allow him to train the way he wants to for the Olympics, where he’ll compete in slopestyle qualifying Feb. 6 – the day before the Opening Ceremony. “It’s an incredibly tough decision for me and it’s not something I take lightly,” White says, noting the key influence the X Games has had on snowboarding’s popularity. “But I have to make sure I’m prepared for the Olympics.”
BRONCOS OFFENSE PREPARING FOR SEAHAWKS IN SUPER BOWL 48
ENGLEWOOD (AP) – After hurrying Denver’s quick-strike, high-octane offense through a record-shattering regular season, Peyton Manning has turned the Broncos into a slow-grinding, clock-eating machine in the playoffs. Denver’s three most time-consuming drives of the season have all come in the last two weeks, helping to render opposing passers short-tempered sideline spectators.In dispatching the San Diego Chargers and he New England Patriots, Manning dinked and dunked his way downfield. Denver’s downshift, some of it by design, some due to circumstance, has thrown a new wrinkle into an already formidable test that Seattle’s stingy defense will have to prepare for in the Super Bowl.
SHERMAN RESPONDS TO BACKLASH FROM POST GAME RANT
NFL-SUPER BOWL-SHERMAN SPEAKS
Sherman surprised at rant reaction
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman says he’s surprised his interview after the NFC championship game became the focus, following two days of reaction to his post-game comments. Sherman again apologized for his shouting, emotional postgame interview that took attention away from the performances of his teammates in Sunday’s 23-17 win over San Francisco. Sherman was the subject of criticism and support following his postgame rant that came just a few minutes after he deflected a pass intended for San Francisco’s Michael Crabtree and that was intercepted by teammate Malcolm Smith in the end zone to clinch the win.
NEW YORK SNOW GIVES CREWS TIME TO REHEARSE FOR SUPER BOWL
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Tuesday’s winter storm in the New York City metropolitan area gave NFL and MetLife Stadium personnel a chance to test the snow removal abilities at the Super Bowl venue. They wanted to see how quickly they could clean the 80,000-seat facility that will hold the first outdoor Super Bowl in cold weather.
MetLife spokeswoman Nicole Fountain said the stadium and its contractors had 1,300 workers removing the 13 inches of snow that fell in and around the stadium. The crews started removal at around 8 a.m. and had sections of the stadium and most of the tarp-covered field cleared by noon.NFL executive vice president Eric Grubman says an 18-hour time limit was set for removing the snow from the stadium, surrounding parking lots and access roads in the Meadowlands sports complex, where the game will be played Feb. 2.
EX-COWBOY FOUND GUILTY
DALLAS (AP) – Former Dallas Cowboys Josh Brent has been convicted of intoxication manslaughter for a fiery wreck that killed his teammate and close friend, Jerry Brown.
The 25-year old Brent showed no reaction when he learned the verdict. He was led from the courtroom in handcuffs in front of crying family members who were in the front row of the courtroom gallery. Brent faces up to 20 years in prison when the sentencing phase begins Thursday, although he could also get probation.
YANKEES LAND PRIZED JAPANESE PITCHING PROSPECT
NEW YORK (AP) -The Yankees have secured the services of highly-prized Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. Club co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner says the team has agreed to a $155 million, seven-year contract with the right-hander. Along with the contract the Yankees must pay a $20 million fee to the Japanese team of the 25-year-old. The acquisition of Tanaka caps an offseason that saw the Yankees add Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran. Tanaka was 24-0 with a 1.27 earned run average last year, leading his team to the Japan Series title.
