No apologies (Yardbarker)

The great blog network Yardbarker has a post written by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, defending his statements to HBO Real Sports reporter James Brown that aired on Tuesday.  McNabb told HBO’s Brown that black quarterbacks face more scrutiny for their performance than white quarterbacks.

Black quarterbacks have to deal with different things than white quarterbacks. If you don’t think that’s true than you are naïve. Peyton, Tom
and Carson to name a few, have never been asked what it’s like to be a white quarterback. They probably have not been told that they should have
scrambled more. I bet Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, Jake Plummer, and Doug Flutie have never been told by a member of any racial consciousness organization that they don’t play the quarterback position white enough.

McNabb went on to write that he just answered the questions honestly and truthfully and that he had no agenda in doing so.

A tip o’the cap to Yardbarkers Kirk Reynolds for the information.

According to a broadcast report on ESPN News, a key witness in the OJ Simpson case was arrested in Las Vegas Wednesday.

More as it becomes available…

***UPDATED at 5:04 PM ET***

The ESPN News report indicated that Alfred Beardsley (probably misspelled) was arrested in Las Vegas for a parole violation. Beardsley was one of two memorabilia collectors involved in the case.

Earnhardt unveils new number, sponsor for ‘08 (AP/SI.com)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed the worst-kept secret in sports marketing as he announced that he’ll have a new number and sponsor(s) for the 2008 Sprint Cup season.

The popular driver will switch to No. 88 and his car will be sponsored by Pepsi, with the company’s Mountain Dew soft drink and Amp Energy drink featured on the car. The National Guard will also be involved in the sponsorship.

His attempts to bring No. 8 with him to his new home at Kendrick Motorsports were rebuffed, thanks to his step-mother Teresa Earnhardt preventing the number transfer.

On Tuesday, the driver unveiled his line of candy bars, “Dale Jr.’s Big Mo’,” at a candy expo in Chicago.

Another bump in the road (Yardbarker)

Recently, we introduced you to a blog written by the St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce on the Yardbarker blog network where he provided pointed criticism of Michael Vick’s conduct.

The sports blog has recently added Greg Oden, the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick this year, to its portfolio of athlete-writers.  In his current blog entry, the Portland TrailBlazers writes on his most recent journey in his road to the NBA: his knee surgery.

More after the jump »

Penguins, Sabres tilt sells out (AP/ESPN)

“The Ice Bowl,” the outdoor game to be played at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium and feature the hometown Sabres taking on the Penguins, sold out in just under 30 minutes Tuesday.

“I don’t know if anybody anticipated that,” Sabres spokesman Michael Gilbert said, referring to the speed of ticket sales. “It’s another indication of how special this market is toward hockey.”

Gilbert said 32,000 tickets have been held back for Sabres season-ticket holders, who have the option to buy more tickets in addition to the ones they have. Tickets have also been reserved for the NHL, as well as both teams.

While we love the idea of playing the game outdoors in a great town like Buffalo, NY., we don’t know if the game will be well-received on a day that’s filled with high-profile college football bowl games.

News and notes while ESPN prepares to air a topless ping-pong tournament…

Judge: Part of plaintiff’s case v. Thomas is ‘weak‘ (AP/ESPN) Judge denies defense motion in the Isiah Thomas sexual harassment case to dismiss; calls part of case ‘weak’.

Deford: Beli-cheat (SI.com) SI.com writer Frank Deford says that New England’s Belichick’s accomplishments will forever be tarnished.

ESPN reports that the Atlanta Falcons sign Byron Leftwich OJ Simpson? (Awful Announcing) “The Worldwide Teaser” inadvertently used Orenthal James mugshot for the Falcons’ signing of ex-Jags QB Leftwich.

Would you date a girl who could kick your ass? (Epic Carnival) A hot, female martial artist presents quite the conundrum should you piss her off.

Bail set for O.J. at $125,000 in memorabilia (AP/ESPN)

O.J. Simpson appeared in a court Wednesday on 11 charges including kidnapping in connection with an alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors in a casino hotel room.

The judge set the bond for Orenthal James on the condition that he surrender his passport and have no contact with his co-defendants and potential witnesses in the case.

According to police reports, Simpson and the other men entered the room and at gunpoint ordered the longtime collectors to hand over several items once owned by the Heisman Trophy winner. Beardsley told police that one of the men with Simpson brandished a semiautomatic pistol, frisked him and impersonated a police officer.

Smart move, fellas.

Report: Bonds critical of man who bought 756 ball (San Francisco Chronicle)

Barry Bonds thinks Marc Ecko, the man who purchased the ball from his 756th home run, is wasting his money, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Ecko paid roughly $750,000 for the record-breaking ball and is asking fans via an Internet poll on what he should do with it.

“He’s stupid. He’s an idiot,” Bonds said. “He spent $750,000 on the ball and that’s what he’s doing with it? What he’s doing is stupid. All of those options don’t weigh anything,” he said. “In baseball, that number (756) stands.”

Before people get outraged at “Barry being Barry” again, Bonds is merely stating that he thinks the guy could’ve spent his money on something more meaningful.  And for that, we have to agree.

Nothing like a chance for publicity, Mr. Ecko.

The morning after division races got a whole lot more interesting…

The Indians raised their lead in the AL Central to 6 1/2 games over second-place Detroit with yet another victory; the Mets’ tailspin continues; the American League East standings got a lot more interesting with the Sawx loss and the Yankees win and the Cubs’ first day of an interesting experiment doesn’t go as planned.

Tigers 4, Indians 7 — Travis Hafner hit a three-run homer, Victor Martinez launched a solo shot and Cleveland unloaded for four homers off Detroit ace Justin Verlander in a 7-4 victory over the Tigers

O’s 0, Yankees 12 –  Another Mike Mussina sighting! ‘The Moose’ shut down his old team, limiting the O’s to three singles over seven as the Yankees whitewashed visiting Baltimore 12-0.

Red Sox 3, BlueJays 4 — Eric Gagne not only coughed up three eighth-inning runs, he expectorated a win and — most importantly — a game in the AL East standings to the New York Yankees.

D’Rays 1, Angels 2 — John Lackey pitched masterfully for the Angels, going eight innings, striking out 10 and scattering just five hits in his club’s 2-1 triumph over Tampa Bay.

More after the jump »

News and notes while Britney Spears’ life continues to be an utter train wreck…

Bills’ Everett close to transferring hospitals (AP/USA Today) The good news keeps on rolling as the injured Everett will likely transfer hospitals to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation from a spinal injury sustained two weeks ago.

Gibbons meets with MLB regarding drug shipments (AP/ESPN) Baltimore’s Jay Gibbons met Monday with Rob Manfred, baseball’s executive vice president for labor relations, and Jon Coyles, the sport’s director of drug testing.

Gillett may add Petty to growing portfolio (SI.com) Tom Bowles of SI.com writes that newly-minted NASCAR owner George Gillett, Jr. may add Petty Enterprises to his racing portfolio.

Paranoia running rampant in NFL coaching circles (USA Today) Jarrett Bell of USA Today writes that NFL head coaches are more cognizant than ever of potential spying.