In brief: Culpepper asks Miami for his release

Daunte Culpepper wants to choose his next team, so he’s asked the Miami Dolphins to release him.

Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, made the request Thursday – one day after the Dolphins completed a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for quarterback Trent Green.

“I must say the impatience the organization displayed in both encouraging me to rush back on the field last year and then rushing me out the door this year is disappointing,” Culpepper said. “However, I understand that they have the right to make that business decision. It is now my turn to make some decisions.”

“Federal law enforcement officials descended on a home owned by Michael Vick armed with a search warrant that suggests they’re taking over an investigation into the Atlanta Falcons quarterback’s possible involvement in dogfighting. Investigators searched inside before turning their attention to the area where officials found dozens of dogs in late April.

“Ex-Arizona State running back Loren Wade was convicted of second-degree murder in the slaying of another ex-ASU football player. Wade, 23, was on trial for first-degree murder in the death of Brandon Falkner, who was shot on March 26, 2005.

Hockey

Cup draws low ratings

The Stanley Cup finals had record-low network television ratings.

The three games aired on NBC averaged a 1.6 rating and a 3 share, the network said. That’s down 20 percent from the 2.0/4 drawn for the same three games last year.

Anaheim won the series, beating Ottawa in five games. The first two games were televised on the cable network Versus.

Auto Racing

Bodine earns truck pole

Todd Bodine took the pole for the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, where he is a three-time winner.

It is only the second career pole for Bodine, who had a qualifying lap of 181.763 mph in his Toyota.

“NASCAR stars paid respects to former chairman Bill France Jr. in a short, simple funeral service that was far more fuss than he would have wanted. About 2,000 people filled the Performing Arts Center at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla., to say goodbye to France, who died Monday.

Miscellany

U.S. wins in soccer

Clint Dempsey’s first-half goal gave the United States a 1-0 victory over Guatemala on Thursday in the opening round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at Carson, Calif. In the first competitive soccer game for the Americans since their first-round World Cup exit last June, Dempsey scored off Taylor Twellman’s assist in the 26th minute.

“Duke University has reached a financial settlement with Mike Pressler, the former men’s lacrosse coach who lost his job in the wake of since-debunked rape allegations involving his team.

“Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke, 32, is recovering in an Italian hospital after an apparent suicide attempt, hospital officials said.