Alabama Coach Nick Saban was forced to dismiss running back Tyren Jones on Tuesday, making him the second player to be kicked off the team over a four-day stretch in which three players were arrested.
Saban announced Jones was no longer a member of the Crimson Tide hours after the sophomore was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Jones was serving an indefinite suspension since Feb. 10 for what the school said was "conduct not to the standard of the Alabama football program."
"He was given an opportunity academically and from a team rules standpoint, but he failed to do any of the things necessary to comply with the rules of the Alabama football program," Saban said in a release, the Associated Press reported. "He was dismissed from the team when he refused to follow the parameters given to him for reinstatement."
On Saturday, defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor and defensive back Geno Smith ended up in police custody.
Taylor was cut from the team Sunday...
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Conor McGregor has made a habit of antagonizing UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo ahead of their July 11 title bout, but the Irish firebrand may have gone a step too far when he snatched Aldo's title belt Tuesday during a news conference in his home country, nearly sparking a brawl.
Screaming "I'm the King of Dublin!" McGregor (17-2) poached the strap from Aldo and held it high above his head, while the longtime champ was held back by UFC President Dana White.
A video of the entire news conference can be seen here, but the lead-up to the melee begins around the eight-minute mark. (Warning: The video contains explicit language).
"I'm the King of Dublin," Aldo (25-1) said through a translator. "When I got here it was raining, but I brought the sun with me."
The comment, which was met by a chorus of boos from the Dublin crowd, sent McGregor into a fury.
"You're looking at the King of Dublin!" he roared back before snatching the title belt off the table.
Aldo rushed the Irishman,...
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The U.S. under-23 national men's soccer team will meet its Mexican counterpart at StubHub Center in Carson on April 22 as both teams prepare for this fall's Olympic qualifying tournament.
The U.S. failed to make the last Summer Games in London in 2012; Mexico won the tournament, capturing its first Olympic gold medal in soccer.
Tickets for April's game will go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. online or by phone at (888) 929-7849 and at noon at the StubHub Center box office.
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Virgil Hunter’s boxing IQ has been credited for helping make unbeaten super-middleweight champion Andre Ward the fighter he is.
Now, CBS is counting on Hunter’s ring intellect to better educate new fight fans drawn to the network’s debut broadcast of Premier Boxing Champions. The opening card is Saturday at noon Pacific time, live from Quebec City.
In the main event, light-heavyweight Adonis Stevenson (25-1, 21 knockouts) of Canada will defend his World Boxing Council belt against Sakio Bika (32-6-3, 21 KOs).
CBS Sports Network’s Brent Stover will host the broadcasts, while Kevin Harlan will call the blow-by-blow action with Hunter and former welterweight world champion Paulie Malignaggi serving as ringside analysts.
Hunter said he consulted extensively with Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood about the television work, and understands Saturday afternoon boxing on network television will bring new fans to the sport.
“It’s a great opportunity and I intend to excel at it. They’re...
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Jozy Altidore was ejected in the 68th minute for a foul and mouthing off at the referee, and the United States gave up another late goal in a 1-1 tie against Switzerland on Tuesday night.
Brek Shea put the U.S. ahead in the 45th minute, his fourth international goal and the first for the Americans on a free kick since Altidore in August 2013.
The game turned when Altidore fouled Francois Moubandje from behind, earning a yellow card. When Altidore said something to Italian referee Luca Banti, the 25-year-old forward was shown a red card.
Twelfth-ranked Switzerland tied it in the 80th following a short corner kick. Granit Xhaka crossed into the penalty area, and defenders Timmy Chandler and Alfredo Morales both tried to head the ball away. It bounced off them and to the turf, and substitute Valentin Stocker scored from 2 yards against goalkeeper William Yarbrough, who came in at the start of the second half for his national team debut. Stocker had not scored for the national team in four...
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The clues are starting to add up -- it looks like Tiger Woods is planning to play in the Masters.
News reports have been leaking out about Woods looking impressive on his home course in Florida. Now comes word that he may be practicing at Augusta National.
A plane with a tail number that matched his Gulfstream G5 was spotted at an airport near the course, the Augusta Chronicle reported on Tuesday.
Woods has been on hiatus from the PGA Tour since withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in early February.
The former No. 1 player is recovering from back ailments and has said he will not return until his game improves and he can be competitive.
On Monday, he fell out of the Top 100 in the world rankings for the first time since 1996.
The Masters begins April 9.
Twitter: @LATimesWharton
Britain will not compete in the Olympic soccer tournament next summer in Rio de Janeiro after the English Football Assn. said Tuesday it was unable to reach an agreement with the other three federations that comprise Great Britain.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all oppose the fielding of united British soccer teams, fearing it would cost them their independence with FIFA.
Britain played in both the men's and women's tournaments in 2012 because the Games were based in London. Both teams lost in the quarterfinals.
But that was the first time the country has played in an Olympic tournament since 1960.
Earlier this month the English FA indicated it was preparing a team for the Olympic qualifying tournament but that idea was set aside Tuesday because of opposition by the three neighboring federations.
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It seems that Gabby Douglas has come out of hiding. In a big way.
Last weekend, the all-around gymnastics champion from the 2012 London Games returned from a three-year hiatus to compete at the Jesolo Trophy in Italy.
Now comes word of a reality TV show centered around her family.
"Douglas Family Gold" is among eight new series announced this week by the Oxygen network. It will follow the 19-year-old as she seeks to defend her title at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
"The bi-coastal Douglas family shuttles between California and Ohio to support Gabby’s training regimen while also juggling their own lives," the network said.
Douglas' brother, John, is an Olympic hopeful in track and field. There are also two sisters, Arie and Joy, and a mother, Natalie, who serves as Gabby's "momager."
This wouldn't be the first reality show featuring an Olympic athlete. Figure skater Johnny Weir had a brief series, "Be Good Johnny Weir," in 2010.
A concerning situation has become urgent for the Kings, who have six games remaining in the regular season, three at home and three on the road. A few takeaways from a decidedly difficult 4-1 loss Monday to the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center.
Singing the Central Division blues
The Kings arrived in Minnesota in a playoff spot on Friday, but by the time they departed Chicago on Monday night they were on the outside again after back-to-back losses to the Wild and the Blackhawks.
They are three points behind third-place Calgary in the Pacific Division and are now concentrating on the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, currently held by the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets, like the Kings, have six games remaining; they lead the Kings by two points. The Jets play the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
The Kings, for the record, hold the ROW tiebreaker against the Jets, 35-32. ROW is wins in regulation, plus overtime victories.
Unable to take advantage of a (supposedly) weary team,...
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New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft testified Tuesday that his former star tight end Aaron Hernandez told him he was innocent when asked if he was involved in a June 2013 killing.
Kraft spent a little more than a half-hour on the stand after being called by the prosecution in Hernandez's murder trial over the June 17, 2013, slaying of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee.
Kraft was asked about the events of June 19, two days after the killing. By then, Kraft said, there was a strong media presence at Gillette Stadium, including helicopters, which were covering the investigation.
Kraft said he found Hernandez in a weight room working out and pulled him into an adjacent office for a private talk.
“I understood there was an incident that had transpired, and I wanted to know whether he was involved, and if he was, any player that comes into our system, I consider part of our extended family, and I wanted to get him help,” he said.
“What did he say?”...
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Before the start of the season, it appeared Cleveland Cavaliers stars LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were poised to be the NBA's best dynamic trio.
Although they have transformed the Cavaliers into one of the Eastern Conference's top teams, the level of camaraderie among the three has been lacking.
Love said last week that he and James were "not best friends." In February, James admitted he was thinking of Love when he tweeted: "Stop trying to find a way to FIT-OUT and just FIT-IN. Be a part of something special!"
On Monday, James indicated there isn't anyone on the Cavaliers he would consider a best friend. He said only Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade are his close friends among NBA players.
“People get so infatuated with the best of friends, things of that nature,” James toldCleveland.com. “First of all, I’ve got three very good friends in this league, and that’s Carmelo, and that’s C.P., and that’s D-Wade."
"And after that I have a bunch of teammates. I have...
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Derek Stevens made a $20,000 bet back in December that could result in a $1-million payday on Monday.
All he needs is for Michigan State to win the national championship.
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FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this post had incorrect pairings for the Final Four.
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When Stevens made the bet, ESPN's Darren Rovell says, such an occurrence didn't seem likely because the Spartans had just dropped to 5-3 on the season.
Which is why Tony Miller, sportsbook director at the Golden Nugget Hotel
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It's been a season to forget for the New York Knicks, and that's why team President Phil Jackson is doing what he can to keep season-ticket holders from leaving.
In a letter and video message obtained by ESPN that was sent to season-ticket holders Monday, Jackson argued the Knicks are in position to grow stronger in the years ahead.
"We have made key roster moves to free up significant cap space that will provide us greater flexibility to acquire talent in this summer's free agency," Jackson said. "And for the first time in many years, we expect to have a top pick in the NBA Draft this June.
"These are key steps to building a roster of players that have both the talent and character to win in New York and who, alongside Carmelo Anthony, will become a team that can become a consistent winner."
The Knicks have the NBA's worst record at 14-60 and will likely have the best shot at winning the NBA draft lottery after losing 60 games for the first time in their 69-year history.
Jackson is...
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Few people know Jameis Winston better than Florida State Coach Jimbo Fisher.
We may think we know the former Seminoles quarterback based on all the information -- or "misinformation," as Fisher puts it -- out there about Winston's off-field troubles.
"Why is there a question [about Winston's character]?" Fisher said Friday on WDAE Radio in Tampa. "Because of the character assassination that he's lived through in the media, and the misinformation that has been printed and half-truths that have been printed."
Winston was accused of sexual assault in 2012 but not charged with a crime and cleared of violations of Florida State's student code of conduct. Last year he had to perform community service after being caught shoplifting crab legs. He also was suspended a game as punishment for standing on a table and yelling sexually explicit comments at the student union.
"He likes being seen as a normal person and not as Jameis Winston," Fisher said, without mentioning any specific incidents....
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Tyler Toffoli’s season with the Kings has looked like one of those wild rides on the stock market -- big swings of volatility.
The youngster scored six goals in the first month, slowed down and recorded three goals in November. There was another such swing late in the regular season: six goals in February and three in March. Along with the four goals he scored in between the swings, it adds up to 22 goals in all, matching his age.
Kings Coach Darryl Sutter praised Toffoli’s hockey sense and addressed the roller-coaster season. In the midst of the highs and lows was a bout with mononucleosis, which put the brakes on Toffoli’s season.
The best line for the Kings in their 4-1 loss to the Wild on Saturday night at Minnesota was Dwight King-Jeff Carter-Toffoli.
"I think he's had a lot of highs and lows in the season, if you look at it," Sutter said after Monday's morning skate at United Center. "He had such a really good start and once we got on the road … that line, then they drew a lot...
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Basking in her latest victory Monday, a beaming Venus Williams stood near her changeover chair launching autographed balls into the stands, steering her shots with body English and applauding the fans who scrambled for the souvenirs.
For Williams, tennis is still fun. She's 34 but on the rise in the rankings, and she beat former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 7-6 (1) Monday to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals.
Williams is a three-time Key Biscayne champion, but her most recent title came in 2001. Seeded 16th, she's into the quarterfinals at the tournament for the first time since 2012.
“Tennis has always been a blast,” Williams said. “But, you know, I'm feeling good out there.”
She could meet her sister Serena in the final. Serena, who has won the tournament a record seven times, advanced by beating 2006 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-3.
In men's third-round play, No. 4 Kei Nishikori beat No. 32 Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-2.
While Serena, 33, has been ranked No. 1 for the past two...
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There was an amazing moment during WrestleMania at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday. Stephanie McMahon and Hunter Hearst Helmsley, who are the story-line heel authority of WWE, were in the ring to announce the attendance (76,976). While the crowd applauded, Stephanie McMahon said the success of WWE was all due to .... her. She said she owned the ring, the wrestlers, the Divas and the fans.
This brought out the Rock, who got a tremendous ovation as he walked to the ring to confront McMahon. After he laid the verbal smackdown on McMahon and Triple H, McMahon slapped Rock and dared him "to hit a woman." She ordered Rock from the ring, and, not wanting to hit a woman, he left the ring and walked around ringside.
Whom did he spot in the front row? Ronda Rousey, his co-star in "Furious 7." As the crowd went crazy, chanting Rousey's name and "Ronda's gonna kill you", Rock asked Rousey to get into the ring, where she showed McMahon and Triple H why no one messes with Ronda Rousey.
You...
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Don't mess with Corey Simms.
The die-hard fan of the St. John's Caps junior hockey team in Newfoundland may not try to rip your head off and clean the ice with it -- "I'm not a terrorist," he says.
But he just might get you with a zinger involving knitting and tiddlywinks.
"If the hockey moms can't handle me yelling and heckling at the rinks, I think they should stick to crosswords and knitting," the notorious heckler said on a local newscast, sounding an awful lot like the comic book guy on "The Simpsons."
"And if the young boys -- young men, I should say -- can't handle a bit of heckling at the rink, they should stick to tiddlywinks and Playstation."
The players in the Caps' league are said to be from 18 to 22 years old and should be able to handle whatever kind of ribbing Simms dishes out. But several opposing teams feel he has gotten out of hand and have gotten him banned from their home rinks.
One team, the Conception Bay Junior Renegades, actually forfeited a game just so they...
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The Atlanta Falcons forfeited a fifth-round 2016 draft pick and were fined $350,000 by the NFL on Monday for using artificial crowd noise during games at the Georgia Dome over the past two seasons.
In addition, the league suspended Falcons president Rich McKay from the NFL's competition committee. The NFL found McKay was unaware of the use of recorded crowd noise, but issued the suspension because he oversaw the department responsible for using it. He can apply for reinstatement on June 30. McKay served as the competition committee's chairman.
The league found that Roddy White, the Falcons' former director of event marketing, was responsible for the violation. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team would not appeal the NFL's decisions.
"What took place was wrong and nowhere near the standards by which we run our business," Blank said in a statement. "Anytime there are actions that compromise the integrity of the NFL or threaten the culture of our franchise, as this issue did, they...
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