In brief: Nebraska’s Suh named AP player of year

NCAA football: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh bulled past the guys who play the glamour positions and proved you don’t have to score touchdowns or toss passes to be the player of the year.

Spurred by a dominant performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game, Suh became the first defensive player voted The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year on Tuesday.

Suh had already won two defensive player of the year awards – the Nagurski and Bednarik – and two for best lineman – the Lombardi and Outland. He also finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

“Just being recognized as player of the year is a huge accomplishment,” Suh said in a recent phone interview from Lincoln, Neb.

He received 26 of a possible 59 votes from AP college football poll voters to edge Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, who received 20 votes.

Heisman winner Mark Ingram finished tied for third with Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, each getting six votes. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow received one vote.

Suh finished behind Ingram, Gerhart and McCoy in the Heisman voting, though he did receive more points than any fourth-place finisher in the 75-year history of the award.

Henry’s fiancée speaks at funeral

NFL: Chris Henry’s fiancee wept as she spoke about the late Cincinnati Bengals receiver in Westwego, La., saying that while she often got credit for steering him clear of trouble, he changed her life as well.

Henry, 26, was killed after he fell out of the bed of pickup truck driven by his fiancee, Loleini Tonga, during what police called a domestic dispute. Police are investigating, but no charges have been filed.

Tonga, wearing large sunglasses, paused to gather herself repeatedly as she spoke to hundreds of mourners at his funeral including Henry’s teammates – who filled the grandstands at a suburban New Orleans events center. Tonga professed eternal love for Henry and promised to raise their children the way he would want.

•Steelers sign Galloway: Wide receiver Joey Galloway has been added to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster as the replacement for Limas Sweed.

Sweed was placed on injured reserve Monday with a non-football related illness. Coach Mike Tomlin would not reveal any details of Sweed’s condition.

Roy, Aldridge lift Blazers past Mavs

NBA: Brandon Roy scored 23 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers rallied in the fourth quarter for an 85-81 victory over the Mavericks at Dallas.

Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and nine rebounds in his return to the Dallas lineup, and J.J. Barea added 22 points for the Mavericks.

Dallas held a 70-64 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Portland came back with a 17-3 run.

•Bryant leads Lakers to victory: Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the sixth time this season, and the NBA-leading Lakers shook off a rough first half before hanging on for their 16th victory in 17 games, 111-108 over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles.

•Candidate Dudley embarrassed by voting record: Oregon gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley says he failed to vote in most elections during his years as a player in the NBA.

In an interview with the Associated Press, the former Portland Trail Blazers center said he’s embarrassed by what he called his poor voting record from 1988 through 2002.

Williams honored as athlete of year

Miscellany: Playing her best at the most important events, Serena Williams re-established herself as the top player in women’s tennis in 2009 and was a landslide choice as Female Athlete of the Year by members of the Associated Press.

Williams received 66 of 158 votes cast by editors at U.S. newspapers that are members of the AP. No other candidate got more than 18 votes in the tally.

Zenyatta, the 5-year-old mare who capped her 14-0 career by becoming the first female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, finished second for the AP honor.

•Pacquioa, Mayweather Jr. fight hits another snag: The proposed megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy with a demand by Mayweather’s camp that both fighters be subjected to Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout.

Mayweather’s manager said the fight would not go on if Pacquiao didn’t agree to blood testing under standards followed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Mayweather’s camp claims it was told Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood tested within 30 days of the fight because of personal superstitions. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, declined comment about his fighter, who is in his native Philippines.

•Female ski jumpers denied: Female ski jumpers lost their final bid to compete at the Vancouver Olympics when the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear their appeal.

The women contend that Vancouver organizers are breaking Canada’s Charter of Rights by hosting only men’s ski jumping. They were seeking the right to appeal two lower-court rulings that said the charter cannot dictate which sports are included in the Winter Games.

•Miller will miss Bormio event: Bode Miller will skip the upcoming downhill in Bormio and head back to the United States to let his sprained ankle heal and concentrate on his fitness.

Miller injured his ankle during a team volleyball game in Val d’Isere, France, on Dec. 12 and is still getting into shape after cutting last season short and skipping summer training while he considered retirement.

•MLB, umpires come to terms: Major League Baseball and its umpires have completed negotiations for a new labor contract and are likely to announce an agreement today, a person familiar with the talks told the Associated Press.