Brent sentenced to 180 days, probation

Former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent avoided prison Friday and instead was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years of probation for a drunken car crash that killed his friend and teammate, Jerry Brown.

Brent was convicted Wednesday in Dallas of intoxication manslaughter for the December 2012 crash on a suburban Dallas highway that killed Brown, who was a passenger in Brent’s car. Brent could have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. He was also fined $10,000.

Brown’s mother, Stacey Jackson, wasn’t in the courtroom when the verdict was read. She publicly forgave Brent, and said during Thursday’s sentencing proceedings: “He’s still responsible, but you can’t go on in life holding a grudge. We all make mistakes.”

The group Mothers Against Drunk Driving, whose headquarters isn’t far from the spot where Brent crashed, said in a statement that it was “shocked and appalled” by the athlete’s sentence.

Pro Bowl caps Gonzalez’s career

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez thought he was done playing football a few weeks ago. Now, he says he’s getting an ideal finish to his career with his 14th Pro Bowl.

Gonzalez said after practicing in Kapolei, Hawaii, that it’s now up to players to put on an entertaining game to create a higher quality Pro Bowl.

“It hasn’t been where it could be and where I think it’s going to be this year,” Gonzalez said.

Extra points

Patriots executive Nick Caserio became the eighth candidate to interview for the job of general manager with the Dolphins, who may finally be near a decision after a 21/2-week search. The Dolphins also had a second interview with Brian Gaine, the team’s assistant general manager. Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson is also believed to be a finalist. … Broncos kicker Matt Prater stayed home sick again Friday, missing his second straight practice. … Taylor Turf Installation Inc. is suing MetLife Stadium’s operators and the company that hired the suburban St. Louis company, seeking more than $292,000 that Taylor Turf claims it still is owed for hustling to install the New Jersey stadium’s playing surface last summer.