Newsmakers

Announced Quarterback Kerry Collins, 38, is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons in the league, his agent announced Thursday. Collins, 38, was facing free agency after his contract expired in March, though he said as recently as last month that he still wanted to play. In 195 career games, Collins maintained a 55.8 completion percentage and threw for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions. He was the fifth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL draft after playing at Penn State. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.

Added The Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League added Maurice Clarett to the active roster. Clarett spent last season with the team, calling it a chance to rebuild his life. The NCAA suspended the ex-Ohio State star for taking improper inducements. He failed to make it in the NFL, then spent 3 1/2 years in prison for having a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a Columbus, Ohio, bar in 2006.

Withdrew Golfer David Toms withdrew from the British Open next week at Royal St. George’s because of a hip injury.

Failed Two North Korea players failed drug tests in the Women’s World Cup and the entire team was then subjected to an unprecedented doping control, FIFA said. Defenders Song Jong Sun and Jong Pok Sim tested positive after North Korea’s first two group games and were suspended for Wednesday’s match against Colombia that ended in a 0-0 draw.

Reported Doctors treating Colombian cyclist Juan Mauricio Soler say he’s showing signs of “serious cognitive deficits” after waking from an induced coma three weeks after crashing in the Tour of Switzerland. A hospital spokesman for St. Gallen Hospital in eastern Switzerland says Soler can follow simple commands and move all four limbs, but isn’t able to speak.

Planned Russia plans to send the Olympic torch into space ahead of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov told the IOC. The torch will also be taken to the top of Russia’s highest mountain and the bottom of the world’s deepest lake.