Gun charge lands Clarett $5 million bond

Maurice Clarett closed his eyes and softly shook his head.

Wearing the same type of tan, jail-issue jumpsuit he’d sported in Columbus, Ohio, once before, the former Ohio State star running back reacted with quiet disbelief Thursday as the judge announced his bond on a gun charge: $5 million, an amount that will almost certainly keep him in jail through the weekend.

Following his bizarre and violent encounter with police the day before, prosecutors had asked a judge to hold Clarett on at least $1 million bond.

Clarett stood against a wall next to his lawyer during the arraignment, did not say anything and was not addressed by the judge. His attorney, Nick Mango, called the $5 million bond excessive.

Mango would not speculate on why four loaded guns – including an AK-47-style assault rifle – were in the SUV Clarett was driving Wednesday.

•Auburn athletics officials were cleared of wrongdoing by a university probe of claims that players improperly boosted their grades with easy independent study courses.

•ESPN will become the brand for all sports programming carried on ABC, starting with the debut of ABC’s college football season on Sept. 2.

Soccer

D.C. United draws

D.C. United felt it was carrying the torch for American soccer on Wednesday night playing Spanish power Real Madrid at Seattle.

In a match filled with missed chances and strong defensive play, the best American squad played the Spanish power to a 1-1 draw in front of nearly 67,000 fans.

Basketball

Anthony practices

At Hong Kong, Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony took part in a two-hour practice, two days after hyperextending his knee while playing for the U.S. national team in China.

The U.S. team will train in Hong Kong today, then travel to Seoul for a five-team World Basketball Challenge.

•The Milwaukee Bucks acquired former Seattle SuperSonics guard-forward Ruben Patterson from Denver in exchange for veteran forward Joe Smith.

Hockey

Desjardins retires

Former Philadelphia Flyers captain Eric Desjardins, the second-highest scoring defenseman in Flyers history, called it quits, ending a 17-year career that included a Stanley Cup and an Olympic appearance.

•The Anaheim Ducks signed center Travis Green to a one-year contract. The 14-year NHL veteran, formerly with the Spokane Chiefs, played in 82 games for Boston last season.

Miscellany

Obikwelu doubles up

Francis Obikwelu of Portugal became the first man in 28 years to complete a sprint double at the European Championships when he won the 200 meters at Goteborg, Sweden. He won the 100 Tuesday.

•In Las Vegas, unheralded Omar Nino outpunched and outworked Brian Viloria to win the WBC light flyweight championship.