ESPN suspends anchor Olbermann
ESPN on Tuesday suspended anchor Keith Olbermann for the rest of the week because of a series of disparaging tweets about Pennsylvania State University and its students on Monday night.
Penn State students raised $13 million for pediatric cancer victims over the weekend. A former Penn State student tweeted the news to Olbermann, who has been critical of the school for the deal it made with the National Collegiate Athletic Association over penalties arising from a child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
“PSU students are pitiful because they’re PSU students — period,” Olbermann said in one of his tweets.
“I apologize for the PSU tweets,” Olbermann tweeted on Tuesday.
NFL may mull changing pass interference penalty
When the NFL Competition Committee meets next week in Naples, Florida, instant replay will be a major topic of conversation.
Pass interference enforcement also will be in the spotlight. For years, there have been calls to change the penalty from being a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty.
According to multiple reports, executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent says the league might look at making a change in the penalty.
Opponents of the change say it gives defensive players the incentive to tackle receivers who get behind them. Vincent said making the change to a 15-yard penalty would be an alternative to making pass interference subject to replay review.
Cubs hire Ramirez, Youkilis as hitting coaches
As a player, Manny Ramirez was feared as well as quirky and flamboyant. He also was suspended twice later in his career for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse.
But now Ramirez is making a name as a pretty good minor league coach. On Tuesday, the Cubs announced that Ramirez would be a hitting consultant for the big-league club.
Ramirez spent last season as a player-coach for Iowa, Chicago’s Triple-A team. He earned rave reviews at Iowa, which prompted Tuesday’s announcement.
The two-time World Series champ, who clubbed 555 career home runs, will teach hitters on fundamentals and share mental approaches to hitting.
The Cubs also tabbed Kevin Youkilis to scout parts of California. Youkilis’ responsibilities will include working with minor league hitters.
KSU apologizes for fans storming court
A day after Kansas State fans stormed the Court at Bramlage Coliseum in the aftermath of the Wildcats’ 70-63 upset win over eighth-ranked Kansas, the university issued an apology to its fierce rival.
“On behalf of President Schulz and K-State Athletics, I apologize to Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger, Coach Bill Self and the KU basketball team for the unfortunate situation in which they were placed last night at the conclusion of our basketball game,” athletic director John Currie said in a statement.
During the frenzy, Self was trapped between the scorer’s table and a mob of Wildcats fans. Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor was hip-checked by a fan. Police have video and are asking for help in identifying the fan.
Meyer, Buckeyes stuck on cruise ship
Alabama’s defense couldn’t do it. Neither could Oregon’s defense.
Urban Meyer and Ohio State was unstoppable this year. That is until Tuesday.
And leave it up to Mother Nature.
Meyer is one of 2,500 passengers, which include numerous former players and Buckeyes fans, aboard the Royal Caribbean liner Brilliance of the Seas, which has been stopped in its tracks because of dense fog near Tampa.
The ship was supposed to dock Monday, but the fog is not expected to lift until Tuesday night.
Dolphins unveil stadium upgrade details
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ self-funded $400 million renovation plan for Sun Life Stadium is underway.
Almost all of the stadium seats were removed in a preview held in Miami but the stadium will be open for play in 2015. However, renovations will not yet be finalized.
It will remain an open-air venue with a rectangular roof or natural shade canopy over most sections with expansion of suites, high-definition video boards installed and increase seating options.
Big Ten wants more discussion on freshman ineligibility
The Big Ten made news last week after it was learned the conference was seeking input on freshman ineligibility. On Tuesday, it released a statement after a meeting of administrators, faculty and athletes indicating that more feedback will be sought from a diverse group of thought leaders on a “year of readiness.”
Among the areas to be explored are student-athlete time demands for all sports, playing seasons, initial eligibility requirements and other areas impacting academics on campus.
Some coaches, including Ohio State men’s basketball coach Thad Matta, said they have already received negative feedback on the recruiting trail about freshman ineligibility. Others have expressed doubt that freshman ineligibility would be possible unless it is adopted across all conferences.