MORE FROM Steven J. Gaither

Wiley talks painkillers

Marcellus Wiley explains the culture of painkillers in the league.

Wiley talks painkillers

Marcellus Wiley explains the culture of painkillers in the league.

New deal in works

Proposed deal could impact nearly 40 percent of all MLB broadcasts

Bell enters rehab

The Steelers running back must complete the program to have his marijuana charges dismissed.

Family sues football league

The family of Joseph Chernach claims the organization contributed to Chernach suffering from CTE.

NBA commish talks playoffs

A new format might shake up basketball's power imbalance for the postseason.

Rutgers, Army to relocate

When it comes to playing and watching college football, the new Yankee Stadium isn't a home run.

Magic expected to fire Vaughn

The former Kansas star and NBA point guard is out after a little more than 2 1/2 seasons.

Forward to come off the bench again

Sullinger late for the second time this week

James offers to come off bench

LeBron James told reporters on Wednesday he's wiling to do whatever it takes to keep the team going in a positive direction.

Pitcher, shortstop missing.

Pitcher Vladimir Gutierre and shortstop Dainer Moreira have been reported missing by Cuban team officials, according to the AP.

Howard to miss month

Physician says he'll re-evaluate Howard in four weeks.

Watt on Signing Day

Texans superstar J.J. Watt was a two-star recruit and look at him now. On National Signing Day, he offered some advice to college signees.

NFL commish talks PAT changes

Goodell wants to get fans more excited about PATs.

Bridgewater wins Pepsi ROY

The Vikings QB takes home the fan award.

QB, TE to leave Wolverines

Michigan's list of players who are leaving the program keeps getting bigger.

One-of-a kind Super Bowl offer

A Seattle company wants to help fans concentrate on the Super Bowl.

Murry leaning towards A&M

Kyler Murray, the highly-decorated high school quarterback, tweeted he will follow his heart and go to College Station after all.

Police troll NBA

Not to be outdone by the NFL, the NBA may soon be getting investigated as well.

Brady and Belichick talk Seau

Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady both gave glowing recommendations of the former Patriots linebacker.

Hawks trio makes game

The league announced its reserves for the Feb. 15 game. The league's hottest team got three of them.

Bennett, Sherman talk NCAA

Seahawks defenders talk about the challenges student-athletes face, say NCAA should do more.

FSU coach gets raise

If Fisher decides to leave, it's going to cost him.

All-American team announced

Nine of the game's 24 players have yet to commit to a college.

Kicker dishes on QB, coach

The kicker expects to see a different Bears team under John Fox in 2015.

Slam Dunk Contest

The field is composed of four young players about whom casual fans likely know little.

Young players highlight field

This year's dunk contest will feature a classic format and four young NBA stars.

Wild ride for lineman

The journeyman talks about staying grounded in and out of football.

Ex-Vandy players convicted

The pair were the first of four former Vanderbilt players to stand trial in 2013 sexual assault.

Slurs down in NFL

The NFL's new rules seem to be paying off.

Tagliabue blames Goodell

The former NFL commissioner reveals a rift with the current NFL commissioner.

Rams moving forward

The Rams' reported plan to build a stadium in Inglewood and relocate the team have received "quiet applause" in the league office.

Durant out with toe

The defending league MVP has battled injuries for much of the 2014-15 season.

Nets owners investigate slump

A season removed from the playoffs, the Nets have gone 2-10 in their last dozen games, including back-to-back blowout losses to the Clippers and Jazz.

Pistons guard goes down

Brandon Jennings, the key player in the Pistons turnaround, injures ankle against Bucks.

Another broken rule?

Lost in Deflate-gate, the Patriots are being accused of another in-game rule violation.

Ex-Hawkeye hit with charges

Recently dismissed Iowa State receiver charged with domestic assault.

Nuggets guard arrested

Police say Ty Lawson was arrested driving drunk at high speeds.

Colts suspended Richardson

Indianapolis GM Ryan Grigson confirmed Trent Richardson was suspended two games during the playoffs.

Pop star tweeted request

Bieber's push may have put Raptors guard Kyle Lowry over the edge.

Lane outlines Seahawks plan

Seahawks DB Jeremy Lane says Gronk "doesn't like you putting your hands on him"

Mayweather woes

Mayweather calls his cash-stuffed duffle bag "pregnant" and makes friends sit in the backseat while the bag rides shotgun.

McKillop happy for support

Bob McKillop's school garners national attention.

Pop star will headline

One of the biggest new stars in music will take center stage at MSG.

Smith's son won prize

If TJ doesn't make it in football like his father, Torrey Smith, he's got a future in modeling.

Bennett gets candid on win

Michael Bennett was ... very excited about Seattle's NFC title game win Sunday.

AD apologizes for sticker

Penn State hockey gets backlash for Paterno sticker.

Ditka talks football danger

When Iron Mike of all people says football isn't worth it, there's probably some truth to the notion.

Brady sets new mark

Tom Brady collects another passing record.

Interactive panaorama of title game

This 26 billion pixel panorama of AT&T Stadium at the national title game will blow you away.

Report: Mets charging players for offseason fitness camp

The MLBPA is looking into a camp at the Mets facility.

Cunningham likes Mariota

The former Eagles QB thinks the team should attempt to move up in the draft to get the Heisman-winning quarterback.

Johnson wants chance

Former Giants linebacker Pepper Johnson has five Super Bowls as a player and coach, but he's still waiting on a defensive coordinator job.

Presser wasn't Jones' idea

Cardale Jones says trolling press conference wasn't his idea.

Richardson talks benching

After being deactivated against the Broncos, Trent Richardson is preparing like he is the starter for the AFC Championship Game.

Broncos want Kubiak

John Elway is eyeing the Ravens offensive coordinator for the Broncos coaching vacancy.

Boxer mistaken for LeBron

Deontay Wilder is an accomplished boxer and an Olympic medalist, but looking like LeBron James is his biggest claim to fame so far.

Lewis clears up Brady comments

If you say so. Ray Lewis is clarifying his comments about Tom Brady and the Tuck Rule.

Linebacker faces rape charge

Colts linebacker Josh McNary, charged with rape and two other offenses, has been placed on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt list.

Rice and Ravens settle

The Ravens and Ray Rice were once close, but his legal issues put a wedge between them. The two parties have reached a settlement in the termination of his contract.

Ravens, Cowboys to coach Pro Bowl

John Harbaugh and Jason Garrett will get one more chance to finish their respective seasons with a win.

Cowboys to keep Garrett

If nothing else, Dallas looks to be keeping its coach.

Yost gets extension

Once thought to be on the hot seat, Ned Yost’s future as Royals manager looks pretty good these days.

Steelers DC search

Pittsburgh promoted linebackers coach Keith Butler after long-time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau resigned Saturday.

Fox has options

The Broncos are done with Fox, but the 59-year-old coach is drawing interest from other franchises.

Buckeyes are No. 1

Ohio State’s victory in the national championship game sealed the No. 1 spot in the final Associated Press Poll.

Officials open to reviewing

NFL may review the rules that supported the controversial calls made during playoff weekend.

Griffin auctioning off cast

Robert Griffin III is looking to cash in on his misfortunes — for a good cause.

Chargers could sue

The Chargers aren't enthused with the idea of sharing the Southern California NFL market with the Rams, and are taking action to keep them away.

Hank could own Hawks

Hank Aaron could soon own a piece of the Atlanta Hawks.

Packers beat Cowboys

Green Bay Packers 26, Dallas Cowboys 21

Headphones didn't violate rules

Giving gifts to college student-athletes is always a risky proposition. But LeBron James pulled it off.

Kobe continues to sit

Kobe Bryant isn’t ready to throw in the towel on this season.

Hardy's trial could start soon

Hardy faces domestic violence charges.

Forde out

Ayele Forde is the second Ducks player banned from Jan. 12's game against Ohio State.

76ers talk Kirilenko

The 76ers haven’t closed the door on Andrei Kirilenko joining them — yet.

Tarpley dead at 50

One of the most talented and troubled big men of the 1980s NBA is dead.

Hazing

Robert Champion died of injuries from November 2011 the incident.

Survey studies religion and football

When Sunday plans come down to choosing church or football, church wins ... most of the time.

NFL investigating Browns

The NFL has launched an investigation into whether text messages were sent to the Browns' sideline during games this season.

Waiters caught off guard

Dion Waiters had mixed emotions about being traded from Cleveland to Oklahoma City.

LeBron back in Miami

LeBron James took his strained knee and bad back to South Beach.

Nets guard injured ribs

The Nets will be without Deron Williams for a while.

Report on Rice video

A new report backs the NFL’s assertion that it didn't see Ray Rice elevator footage before September.

Clippers trade Cunningham

The Clippers have dealt guard Jared Cunningham and the draft rights to a former second-round pick to the 76ers in exchange for, well, not much.

Cavs cut A.J. Price, thought to be eyeing Ray Allen

The Cavs are apparently not done wheeling and dealing yet.

Florida suspends hoops duo

Florida will be without two players when it meets South Carolina on Wednesday, and maybe longer.

New names added to list

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the NBA’s hottest franchises on and off the court.

Schilling claims voter bias

Curt Schilling isn’t going into the Hall of Fame in 2015, and he thinks he knows the reason why.

Accuser suing FSU

Jameis Winston’s accuser is suing Florida State’s Board of Trustees over the investigation of her rape allegation against the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner.

Butler promotes assistant

Butler will start the new year with a new head coach. Sort of.

Rondo talks defense

Defense is optional when you play in the Eastern Conference, according to Rajon Rondo.

Yankees deal pitcher

The Yankees have decided to make a slight change to their bullpen.

Rose talking title

It’s been more than 15 years since the Bulls won an NBA title, but Derrick Rose thinks that can change soon.

Cavs concerned with Blatt

If the rumor mill is correct, things are going south quickly in Cleveland.

Anthony speaks on Knicks woes

How desperate are things getting for the Knicks? Pretty bad, if you believe Carmelo Anthony.

MJ's message to Kobe

Having passed Jordan on the NBA scoring list, Bryant now chases Malone.

Popovich unsure over Leonard

The Spurs could be missing one of their key players through December and into the new year.

Saunders mum on Love

Did talking about Kevin Love get Flip Saunders censored by the NBA? That depends on who you ask.

Trade talk stalled

A possible deal involving one of the league’s premier point guards and an up-and-coming big man have hit a snag.

Lattimore named SC ambassador

Marcus Lattimore is going back to South Carolina.

Dalembert fined for foul

The Knicks are starting to take their misery out on other teams.

Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech breakdown

Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6, Big Ten West) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-5, USA West)

Wade: LeBron deserves cheers

Four years ago, LeBron James descended upon Miami like a gift from above. This Christmas, that gift returns in a Cavaliers uniform.

More Ray Rice footage

It's the video Rice reportedly didn't want you to see.

Phelps plea

The Olympic champion pays for blowing 0.14 in a blood-alcohol test.

UAB coach wins award

Bill Clark’s Alabama-Birmingham football program may be gone, but at least he came away with some hardware.

Daniels returns to Houston

The Ravens tight end may have a little revenge on his mind against the Texans on Sunday.

Pitt fires AD Pederson

The Panthers are starting over from the top.

Clausen starts over Cutler

Jay Cutler takes a seat after a three-interception game Monday night.

Titus Young set for hearing

Former NFL receiver Titus Young faces charges that could put him in prison for nearly a decade.

Kings talk to Jackson

Mark Jackson may soon find himself back in the Golden State, just not with the Warriors.

Pelini's presser makes waves

In an audio tape, Bo Pelini expressed his dislike for Nebraska AD Shawn Eichorst to his players Dec. 2 in colorful terms after he was fired.

Duck Commander Independence Bowl: Miami vs. South Carolina

Matchup: Miami (6-6, ACC) vs. South Carolina (6-6, SEC)

Texas DC rumored candidate

Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford could soon land a head coaching job.

UFC facing lawsuit

Middleweight Cung Le and former fighters Jon Fitch and Nathan Quarry are named as plaintiffs.

Yankees sign Chris Capuano to 1-year deal

Pelini to Youngstown State

It appears that Bo Pelini has found a new home.

Big Three to sit

Injuries and rest will leave San Antonio short-handed against Portland.

Bryant praises Wiggins

Kobe Bryant has seen the future, and it looks a lot like his past.

Warriors won't catch Bulls

Every time an NBA team gets off to a hot start, the question comes up — can they match the ’96 Bulls?

Winslow out at FAMU

The brief, tumultuous Kellen Winslow era is over at Florida A&M.

Sharper faces life sentence

The legal troubles for former NFL safety Darren Sharper keep mounting, including new rape charges that could send him to prison for life.

Muschamp interviews at Houston

Muschamp, fired at Florida, gets a shot at another job.

Tebow on TV

Tebow's first game comes this month.

Tebow calling Peach Bowl

Who's ready for Tim Tebow, in-game analyst?

James, Anthony questionable

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony came into the NBA linked at the hip, and now they are linked by sore knees.

Bryant jealous of Jordan

Kobe Bryant says he’s jealous of Michael Jordan, the man he’ll soon pass on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, for one reason.

Possible Carmelo surgery

The good news keeps coming for Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. (Please note the sarcasm font).

Rodman rips Knicks

Dennis Rodman knows The Triangle — and this ain’t no stinking triangle.

LeBron James ties Mark Price's franchise record for 3-pointers

LeBron James matches Mark Price's franchise record for 3-pointers.

Hawaii AD resigns

It looks like Hawaii will keep its football coach — and program — but will be looking for a new athletic director.

Marquette guards to transfer

Marquette is about two lose two members of its 2013 recruiting class.

Tennessee replaces UAB

Bowling Green is filling the void in Tennessee’s football schedule left by the University of Alabama-Birmingham's decision to cut the cord on its program.

Owner apologizes to Mark Jackson

Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob reached out Mark Jackson to apologize to his former head coach for statements he made about his management abilities.

'Melo nearly a Bull

Warning: Chicago Bulls fans may want to stop reading now.

Van Gundy: Pistons 'messed up'

The Detroit Pistons have a lot of problems, but knowing where their coach stands isn’t one of them.