Fast Break

NFL

Johnson retires, joins ESPN

Keyshawn Johnson retired Wednesday, ending an NFL career in which the outspoken receiver was once one of the game’s biggest threats.

He joins ESPN as a sportscaster and was to disclose his plans at a news conference in Los Angeles at USC, where he starred in college.

“The opportunity to transition from active player to broadcaster at the level of ESPN and ABC was too great to pass up,” Johnson said in a statement issued by ESPN.

“Although I am currently able to play at the same high NFL level that many fans are used to seeing, walking away while at that level is what I have chosen to do. With teams attempting to sign me, and multiyear playing offers on the table, I realized that I have accomplished all of my goals as a professional football player.”

Last month, Johnson worked the NFL draft for ESPN, which was impressed enough to offer him a job. He was released by the Carolina Panthers days after the draft.

NBA

Worth the wait for Adelman

Rick Adelman was introduced as the Houston Rockets’ coach, ending a two-week courtship that began before Jeff Van Gundy was fired.

Adelman arrived in Houston late Tuesday from Portland, where he’s lived since the Sacramento Kings decided not to renew his contract after the 2005-06 season.

“Last year, I sat out and watched the league and everything,” Adelman said. “It was going to have to be a good situation, good ownership, a good organization and a team that had a chance to win. The more I looked at the team, the more I felt this is a great opportunity.”

Adelman’s introduction comes five days after Van Gundy was dismissed.

Skating

Oh, yes, Ohno plans to compete

Apolo Anton Ohno can add a mirror-ball trophy to his cache of gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals. The soul-patched one slid his way to victory on “Dancing With the Stars,” showing off moves as sleek on the ballroom floor as they are in his crash-and-burn sport of short-track speedskating.

Ohno confirmed that he plans on being at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, and most likely in a skintight racing uniform.

“My eyes are still set on 2010. I’m staying in shape,” the Seattle native said. “It’s in my backyard. I’m still young enough, my body is still very healthy and I’m still blessed to go out and perform well.

“There’s many, many people who would be disappointed if I did not go, along with myself.”

He said he’s put down a deposit on a house in Salt Lake City, where he plans to relocate his training base from Colorado Springs, Colo.