Fast Break

Football

Ex-Coug Utley wins Camp award

Former Washington State and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley is the recipient of the 2006 Walter Camp Man of the Year award.

After suffering a career-ending spinal injury during a game in 1991, Utley has become a symbol of courage with his own rehabilitation, but also for his commitment to help others with similar injuries.

The Mike Utley Foundation has been dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries and providing the motivational and emotional support for individuals who have been disabled with such injuries.

Utley joins an impressive list of former “Man of the Year” winners, including Roger Staubach (Navy), Gale Sayers (Kansas), Jim Kelly (Miami), and last year’s winner Dwight Stephenson (Alabama).

Boxing

Fans can send Ali birthday wishes

Fans of Muhammad Ali can send personal greetings to the boxing great on his 65th birthday next week.

Well-wishers can leave a message through the Muhammad Ali Center’s Web site or get a picture taken with a birthday banner at the center on Jan. 17. Groups are being encouraged to send group photos with signs or banners expressing their regards.

Ali, who has Parkinson’s disease, doesn’t plan to attend the celebration, spokeswoman Jeanie Kahnke said.

The photos and greetings will become part of the center’s archives. The center is headquartered in Louisville, Ky.

Football

Dolphins’ Taylor says he’ll return

Jason Taylor needed only a few days off to decide he wants to keep working.

The Miami Dolphins’ defensive end said Sunday he plans to return next season, regardless of whom the team hires as coach.

“If he’ll have me, I’ll be back in Miami,” Taylor said on ESPN. The Dolphins are searching for a successor to Nick Saban, who left last week for Alabama.

Baseball

Budig becomes part-owner

Former A.L. president Gene Budig is back in baseball, this time as a part-owner of the Class A Charleston RiverDogs.

The RiverDogs, whose ownership group includes actor Bill Murray, play in the South Atlantic League and are affiliated with the New York Yankees. When Budig was president of the A.L. from 1994-2000, he noted, he sometimes was on the receiving end of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s barbs.

“We’ve become great friends,” Budig said. “He knew of my interest in this. I talked to him.”

Budig joined Mike Veeck and Marvin Goldklang as the RiverDogs’ primary owners.