Newsmakers

Charged Three freshman Tennessee football players, including highly touted wide receiver recruit Nu’Keese Richardson and starting safety Janzen Jackson, were charged with attempted armed robbery Thursday morning in Knoxville, Tenn. Richardson, 18, and Jackson, 18, along with defensive back Mike Edwards, 18, and companion Marie Montmarquet, 22, were each charged with three counts of attempted armed robbery in connection with an incident at a gas station at the edge of campus.

Fined Two people familiar with the situation say Atlanta coach Mike Smith was fined $15,000 by the NFL for a sideline scuffle with Washington. The NFL also fined Redskins safety LaRon Landry $7,500, Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth $5,000 and Falcons director of athletic performance Jeff Fish $2,500.

Suspended The NHL suspended Vancouver forward Darcy Hordichuk one game and fined Canucks coach Alain Vigneault $10,000. Hordichuk was assessed an instigator penalty after fighting Cam Janssen at 15:04 of the third period during Tuesday night’s 6-1 loss to St. Louis.

Reinstated Co-founder of the chipmaker Broadcom Corp., Henry Samueli, has been reinstated as owner of the Anaheim Ducks after serving a suspension handed down by the NHL more than a year ago, when he pleaded guilty to a felony count of lying to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Out Chivas USA and Preki Radosavljevic are parting ways two years after he was chosen Major League Soccer’s coach of the year. The club said that Preki will pursue other opportunities. His contract expires at year’s end.

Awarded Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez has won Major League Soccer’s Rookie of the Year award. The 21-year-old played in all 30 regular-season games as Los Angeles cut its goals allowed from a league-high 62 in 2008 to 31.

Agreed Pitcher Tim Hudson agreed to a $28 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Hudson could have returned to the Braves under a $12 million option, but the sides focused on a longer deal after the right-hander showed he had overcome major elbow surgery.