Mistakes cost Pats in Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl win (AP)

AP - The New England Patriots' three star receivers couldn't make the big plays when they needed them. Neither could their superstar quarterback.

M.I.A. flips bird during Super Bowl halftime show (AP)

AP - The NFL and a major television network are apologizing for another Super Bowl halftime show.

PREVIEW-Soccer-Barca dig deep with Cup final in sight

Injury-hit Barcelona will not be complaining if another 'lucky' black cat helps Lionel Messi find the net at the Nou Camp on Wednesday when they bid for a third King's Cup final appearance in four years.

Top Fantasy Basketball Players from Week 6, Jan. 30 to Feb. 5: Fan’s Review

Week 6 of the fantasy basketball season is in the books and there were many great individual performances this week that helped propel head-to-head league owners to wins. From the best in the game to some surprise fantasy contributors, here's a review of the top 10 fantasy...

Giants top Pats for 2nd Super Bowl in 4 years (AP)

AP - Tom Brady let his final pass fly toward the scrum of players in the end zone, hoping for an incredible finish.

Giants take advantage of Patriots' gamble for TD (AP)

AP - Bill Belichick saw the New York Giants at the 6-yard line and a clock with only 64 seconds left on it.

Kyle Stanley rallies to win Phoenix Open (AP)

AP - For the second straight week, a PGA Tour event ended with Kyle Stanley in tears. This time, they were tears of joy.

College basketball results, Feb. 5

Leave it to the biggest player on Miami's roster to put the Hurricanes on his back and carry them to their most impressive victory in quite a while. Reggie Johnson - all 6-foot-10 and 284 pounds of him - scored five of...

Eli's elite, for sure, after 2nd Super Bowl MVP (AP)

AP - Back in August, back before the season began, Eli Manning was asked whether he considered himself an "elite" quarterback a la Tom Brady.

LAWRENCE: Professional football had humble beginnings

With football mania nearing its peak in time for Sundayâs 46th Super Bowl game or Super Bowl XLVI, in football-speak there was a time when professional football and its players were neither respected, prized nor paid millions of dollars.

In baseball, a premium on smart shopping

There were plenty of big spenders in free agency, but which major league teams got the most for their money and which ones might wind up with buyer's remorse? This winter's free-agent class included a Prince (Fielder) who got a deal fit for a king and a reliever who came away looking like a pauper by major league salary standards.

Olympic honor — designing Rio de Janeiro's first world-class golf course

It is perhaps ironic that golf is returning to the Summer Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, a city that doesn't really have a course that can host a world-class golf event.

Column: The 'new' Belichick lasts less than a week (AP)

AP - Turns out the "new" Bill Belichick looks and sounds an awful lot like the "old" one.

Steven Cohen: Has soccer lost its human decency?

Between recent allegations of racism in England and the death of dozens in Egypt, Steven Cohen wonders where the humanity is in soccer.

Giants' forgotten WR Manningham delivers big time (AP)

AP - Move over David Tyree. Mario Manningham is the new star in the Giants' latest version of "The Catch."

Tennis trio still a smash

Once, they were youthful rivals. Now they are best friends — all pushing 70, but hardly aged — who reconnect every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to reconfigure the bragging rights they've been building upon for decades.

Football lobbies blitz the Hill

The Super Bowl isn’t the only football contest that’s been preoccupying D.C. these days.

Fantasy Baseball Preview: Understanding Auction Drafts

Continuing my look at preparation for the fantasy baseball season, I will now talk about setting up your draft and deciding whether you want to use a snake draft or an auction. Everyone knows how to run a snake draft, where you basically have a draft position and choose a player...

Carl Renda Wins Disc Golf's Sycuan Ice Bowl 2012 in El Cajon, California

The Sycuan Ice Bowl 2012 was held in El Cajon, California at the new Olive Glen Disc Golf Course at the Sycuan Golf and Tennis Resort just east of San Diego. This was another great event to help support the hungry in our nation.

Pats fans disappointed by loss reminiscent of 2008 (AP)

AP - It was like 2008 all over again for disappointed Patriots fans who watched as their team lost Sunday to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl for the second time in five years.

Golf-Stanley and Levin in dramatic reversals of fortune

Feb 5 (Reuters) - In a stunning reversal of fortune,Kyle Stanley bounced back from his own nightmare a week ago towin the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona by one shot onSunday as Spencer Levin suffered an agonising meltdown. While Stanley came from eight behind going into the finalround to claim his first PGA Tour victory, overnight leaderLevin squandered an early seven-stroke cushion to ...

Kyle Crabtree Wins Disc Golf's Chainbanger Club Member Drive in Seattle

The Chainbanger Club Member Drive took place in Seattle, Washington on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Seatac Disc Golf Course. There were 28 disc golf players who came out to compete on this incredibly beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest with some rare sunny skies.

LeBron rescues Heat from near collapse to Raptors (Reuters)

Reuters - LeBron James put his fourth-quarter uncertainties behind him with critical late plays that helped the Miami Heat survive a late scare from Toronto in a nervous 95-89 home win over the Raptors on Sunday.

Golf-Winners of the Phoenix Open

Feb 5 (Reuters) - Winners of the Phoenix Open since1980, following the one-shot victory by American Kyle Stanley atthe par-71 Stadium Course in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday(U.S. unless stated): 2012 Kyle Stanley 2011 Mark Wilson 2010 Hunter Mahan 2009 Kenny Perry 2008 J.B. ...

End to Armstrong probe gets welcome in Qatar (AP)

AP - Cycling teams at the Tour of Qatar welcomed the end of a U.S. federal investigation into Lance Armstrong, saying Sunday they were hopeful the seven-time Tour de France champion could finally move on with his life.

Price, Canadiens shut out Jets 3-0 (AP)

AP - Carey Price made 23 saves for his third shutout of the season, Tomas Plekanec had a goal and an assist and the Montreal Canadiens ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

Michigan State Basketball Fan's View: MSU 64, U-M 54

Notes from a Michigan State basketball fan after a 64-54 win over Michigan: -- Actually, I also root for U-M except for when they play MSU, and so I would have liked to have seen a better game. Michigan shot the ball so horribly.

Super Bowl XLVI Football Holds Special Meaning: Fan Take

As we prepare for the kickoff of Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on Feb. 5, one part of the game that is often overlooked--the actual football--will hold special meaning both for Giants fans and for residents of Ada, Ohio.

Nicolas Batum on Fire for Portland Trail Blazers: Fantasy Basketball Report

Nicolas Batum is starting to put up some pretty spectacular numbers for the Portland Trail Blazers. Many fantasy basketball owners have already started taking notice of his big game recently, but those who haven't may need to start watching Batum a little more closely.

George Will: Football Is a 'Mistake'

On Super Bowl Sunday, ABC’s George Will called football a “mistake” on the “This Week” roundtable. “This is the second-highest calorie day in American life, second only to Thanksgiving, and people are betting and eating, is what they’re doing today. Football, as I say, combines...

Rio says football must do more to stamp out racism

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes football is in danger of returning to the bad old days of widespread racism unless the authorities do more to eradicate the issue.

Basketball Wives Star Accused of Theft

"Basketball Wives" star Jennifer Williams' feud with Evelyn Lozada's assistant ain't over

Football: Indonesia ordered to stop breakaway league

KUALA LUMPUR: Asian football's governing body has said Indonesia must put a stop to a breakaway league by March 22 or face suspension from world football, an official said Sunday.

Group finds fun, friendship on Fairfield tennis court

Somewhere in the shadows of tennis' famous venues, where the sport's most gifted players glide across courts of finely manicured grass, or perhaps clay, there is a public tennis court with a group of happy players swatting at a fuzzy yellow ball.

Jack and Lindsey Kittredge spread good will across world through basketball and Shooting Touch

Seeking a better world through basketball In 2007, Medfield’s Justin Kittredge started an inner city program for youths, Shooting Touch Inc. He charged fees, and then raised additional funds to provide a $25,000 grant to a graduating college senior who could go anywhere in the world for 10 months with a clear mission: to use basketball, through clinics and education, etc., to work with the ...

Tennis loses to Adams in state final

ANCHORAGE — Mononucleosis couldn’t knock out Tyler Adams. Neither could a defending state champion. In the lone match of the final round that featured two defending state champs, Adams edged Soldotna senior Auston Tennis 9-7 in the 145-pound final of the ASAA/First National Bank State Wrestling Championships at Bartlett High School in Anchorage. The Wasilla senior earned a pair of near-fall ...

Shipley basketball star learned well from father

Shipley basketball player Isaiah Baker still remembers the party. He was about 13 years old, and it was the first time he had seen kids drink alcohol at a party. Some of them became rambunctious. Baker grew so uncomfortable that he wanted to leave. He called his father to pick him up.

Ex-MLB pitcher Penny signs with Softbank Hawks (AP)

AP - The Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League have signed former major league pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract.

BASEBALL: Moustakas, Dominguez honored by Chatsworth

From Chatsworth High to the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft to the big leagues, Mike Moustakas and Matt Dominguez made their grand return Saturday to the diamond where it all started.

Bryce Harper an Enigma for 2012 Fantasy Baseball: A Fan's Take

Bryce Harper is one of the best prospects in baseball and certainly seems to have a bright future in front of him. In about two or three seasons he is likely to become one of the best hitters in the game, unless the hype surrounding him has been completely overblown.

Chavez Jr. retain belt against Rubio (AP)

AP - Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. retained the WBC middleweight title Saturday night, earning a unanimous decision over fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio.

Golf carts again on city council agenda

Golf carts for the Neosho public course are again on the agenda of Tuesday's city council meeting.

Dallas pro tennis tournament offers wide mix

The men's pro event has prospects, veterans.

Student-athletes, baseball coaches will be honored at Union County Hall of Fame Dinner

MOUNTAINSIDE — The Union County Baseball Association will honor local student-athletes and baseball coaches for their accomplishments during 2011 and will induct four members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame during award ceremonies on Feb. 12.

Divorce, Marriage and Golf: Bermuda, the PGA and the LPGA from a Fan’s View

They have been together for five years, but it was announced recently that the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and Bermuda are breaking up. Although the divorce papers have not been signed yet, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will likely be leaving Prot Royal Golf Course in Bermuda for greener...

Foyt released from Houston hospital (AP)

AP - A.J. Foyt has been released from a hospital in Houston, where he was being treated for complications from knee surgery.

Eustace QB Spellman guided by books over football

Chris Spellman was like lots of other red-blooded American 12-year-olds. He had football posters on all four walls of his mind and football dreams in all four chambers of his heart.

ACC Announces Syracuse Basketball Partner Will Be Boston College: Fan's Reaction

In an announcement that this Syracuse Orange basketball fan found less than thrilling, the ACC announced on February 3, 2012 that when Syracuse joins the ACC our team's primary travel partner in college basketball will be the Boston College Eagles.

Tennis part of rally against breast cancer

Topeka resident Carolyn Weinhold went to her doctor in 1997 for her annual physical and was surprised to learn there was a lump in her left breast. A biopsy later indicated she had cancer.

Soccer's quest for new fans

Soccer's quest for new fans kicks off with mega-match.