In brief: Talks of possible Favre return ‘all rumor’
Brett Favre dismissed an ESPN report that he’s considering coming out of retirement as “all rumor.”
Favre responded Wednesday to the ESPN report by telling his hometown newspaper Web site, SunHerald.com in Gulfport, Miss., that “it’s all rumor.”
ESPN reported that an unidentified Green Bay Packers source said that Favre, 38, told coach Mike McCarthy in the past two weeks that he has the itch to play.
Cornerback Al Harris said on ESPN’s “NFL Live” that Favre made similar comments to him.
“I know he has the itch to come back and play,” Harris said. “If he will or not, I don’t know.”
“Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley has agreed to settle his lawsuit against Aaron Mansker, a police officer who shot him off-duty two years ago and ended his pro football career.
Basketball
Beasley elbowed
Michael Beasley’s first official practice with the Miami Heat ended quickly.
Beasley was struck in the chest by an inadvertent elbow during a defensive drill about 45 minutes into Miami’s first summer-league workout session and the No. 2 overall pick in last week’s NBA draft was taken to a doctor for observation.
“Center DeSagana Diop agreed to a $31 million, five-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks, according to a person close to the negotiations.
“Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins underwent surgery on his left shoulder at New England Baptist Hospital.
“Indiana University will give up two scholarships for the upcoming season in anticipation of penalties related to the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate, assistant athletic director Frank Cuervo confirmed.
Miscellany
Montgomery will plea
Former track star Tim Montgomery, who had been scheduled for trial next week on heroin distribution charges, has opted for a plea hearing today.
The Olympic gold medalist’s plea agreement hearing is set for 2 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Va., according to the court docket. Montgomery previously had pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial on the charge, which carries a minimum 5-year prison term.
“Midfielder Lindsay Tarpley scored an early goal, and the United States beat Norway 4-0 in Fredrikstad, Norway, in a tuneup for the Olympic women’s soccer tournament.
“Light flyweight Luis Yanez fired back at U.S. boxing coach Dan Campbell claiming the coach’s decision to kick him off the Beijing Olympic team was a hasty, harsh response to a long-stewing conflict.
Yanez was kicked off the U.S. team on Monday after he skipped three weeks of workouts in Colorado Springs, Colo., during June without telling the coaching staff where he was, Campbell said.
“Tennessee signed football coach Phillip Fulmer and basketball coach Bruce Pearl to new deals that will keep them with the Volunteers through 2014.
“John Harrell, a point guard who helped lead Duke to the 1978 NCAA championship game, died Monday in Durham, N.C. He was 50.