NFL: Ditka tolerates gays
NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, now with ESPN, called being gay “a choice” one has to “tolerate’’ during an interview with the network at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, but said he doesn’t have a problem with that lifestyle.
“I know what my beliefs are,” he said. “I believe in my beliefs. I don’t question anyone else’s beliefs. … We don’t live by the same choices. But, you know, you got to tolerate other people’s choices. It wouldn’t bother me at all.”
SOCCER: Beckham transfers
David Beckham signed a five-month contract with Paris Saint-Germain yesterday, and will donate his salary to a children’s charity.
The former England captain chose the ambitious French club after rejecting offers from other teams. The move came as the transfer window was starting to close.
HOOPS: UConn tops Friars
Ryan Boatright scored 19 points and Shabazz Napier had 18, including eight in OT, to lead Connecticut to an 82-79 victory over host Providence.
Jalen Cannon and Brent Jones scored 16 points each as St. Francis Brooklyn snapped visiting Robert Morris’ six-game winning streak 71-61.
Booker Hucks matched his career high with 20 points off the bench as host LIU Brooklyn won its sixth straight game 82-62 over St. Francis (Pa.).
Kenneth Ortiz scored 17 points as Wagner topped visiting Sacred Heart 84-78 in overtime.
Rayshawn Goins scored 16 points and James Madison pulled away in the second half for a 62-41 victory over visiting Hofstra.
Alex Francis had a season-high 27 points to help Bryant pull away from host Fairleigh Dickinson 78-63.
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 27 points, and the Thunder beat the Grizzlies 106-89 in Memphis’ first game since trading away leading scorer Rudy Gay.
ETC.: Prado makes a profit
The Diamondbacks have agreed to a $40 million, four-year contract with Martin Prado just a week after acquiring the infielder from Atlanta.
William Peterson, who played for five teams, including the Giants, during a 10-year NFL career, received a seven-month prison sentence for failing to file a federal income tax return for 2005, when he earned $5.5 million.
Richard Sterne nearly broke the course record at the Dubai Desert Classic, shooting 10-under 62 in the first round to finish one shot ahead of Stephen Gallacher.
In Denver, Caleb
Moore, an innovative freestyle snowmobile rider who was hurt in a crash at the Winter X Games in Colorado, died yesterday morning. He was 25.