Fast Break

Tribute

Friends turn out to honor Shay

If Sean McManus could make it to the rock in Central Park where his friend Ryan Shay died last year, he knew he could finish the New York City Marathon.

“It was a little bit emotional,” said McManus, one of 15 of Shay’s Notre Dame teammates who ran Sunday’s marathon in his memory. “I thought, if I can get to that spot it’ll give me a boost in the last two miles.”

A year ago, Shay (shown above in 2005) collapsed 5 1/2 miles into the U.S. men’s marathon Olympic trials, which were held in conjunction with the marathon.

The 28-year-old was found to have had an irregular heartbeat because of an enlarged heart.

On Sunday, about 35 people ran the 26.2 miles in honor of Shay.

Besides the Notre Dame cross country alums, there was Shay’s brother, Case Shay, and a contingent of friends and family members of Shay’s widow, Alicia Shay.

NFL

Cowboys take over last place

Give credit to Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips and Terrell Owens, the Dallas Cowboys’ three most prominent spokesmen, writes Dave Goldberg of the Associated Press. They acknowledge that even with a healthy Tony Romo, there are some other problems with their team that need fixing.

The preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl fell into last place in the NFC East on Sunday by losing 35-14 to the New York Giants. And while it’s not your ordinary last place – the Cowboys are, after all, still a winning team at 5-4 – last is last.

“We know where we are,” said Jones, the owner, general manager and sometimes coach. “We did not plan to be here at all.”

Sunday’s results

Bears 27, Lions 23

Vikings 28, Texans 21

Titans 19, Packers 16 (OT)

Jets 26, Bills 17

Cardinals 34, Rams 13

Ravens 37, Browns 27

Buccaneers 30, Chiefs 27 (OT)

Bengals 21, Jaguars 19

Dolphins 26, Broncos 17

Giants 35, Cowboys 14

Falcons 24, Raiders 0

Eagles 26, Seahawks 7

Colts 18, Patiots 15

Today’s game

Steelers at Redskins, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)