NBA
– Wolves’ G Ricky Rubio (knee) has been confirmed to have suffered a torn ACL on Friday, ending his rookie season. Rubio hadn’t missed a game and was averaging 10.6 points, 0.8 threes, 4.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Torn ACL’s take approximately 6-9 months to rehab, so he’ll likely be sidelined for the London Olympics as well.
NHL
– Penguins’ F Sidney Crosby (concussion/neck) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against Boston. Crosby said he isn’t experiencing concussion-like symptoms and he hasn’t suffered a setback. This is probably just a case of him wanting more time to prepare. Crosby is aiming to return Thursday against the Rangers.
– Blackhawks’ F Jonathan Toews (concussion) participated in the Blackhawks’ practice on Saturday. It was Toews’ third straight day on the ice. “You’re supposed to feel better every day. People talk about setbacks, but I don’t feel like I’ve really had any so that’s a good thing. It’s just the lungs that hurt a little bit. … But that will come too.” Toews is still waiting for clearance to participate in contact drills. He’s reportedly aiming to return Tuesday.
– Jets’ F Chris Thorburn (lower body) is expected to miss 3 weeks. Thorburn was injured in the first period Friday night’s game against the Flames.
– Herb Carnegie, who many considered the best hockey player to never play in the NHL, died Friday in Toronto, according to media reports. He was 92. Carnegie, who was born in Toronto on Novvember 8, 1919 to Jamaican parents, was the first black hockey player to be offered an opportunity to play in the NHL. In 1948, the Rangers offered him a spot on the team but, because they were going to pay him less than other rookies – and less than he was making playing in a Quebec league – he turned them down. He continued to play in the Quebec Senior Hockey League alongside Canadiens star F Jean Beliveau. He then moved to the Ontario Senior Hockey League before retiring his skates in 1953. During his retirement, Carnegie started the Future Aces Hockey School, one of the first hockey schools in Canada. He became a philanthropist, coach and author. Among his many awards and honours, he was named to the Order of Ontario in 1996, and in 2003, he became part of the Order of Canada. In 2006, he received an Honorary Law Degree from York University. Carnegie Centennial Arena in North York, Ont., is named in his honour. The New York Times reports Carnegie’s daughter, Bernice Carnegie, confirmed his death at an assisted living facility near Toronto.
MJHL
– A hockey coach who threw sticks and other equipment onto the ice in a violent outburst during a playoff game was suspended 12 games Saturday by the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Dauphin Kings head coach and GM Marlin Murray’s profanity laced tantrum was caught on video near the end of a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Saints on Thursday. Murray was suspended two games for a gross misconduct penalty and a 10-game match penalty for physical harassment of referees Brett Montsion and Ryan Galley, who were Murray’s targets. It is unclear what sparked the outburst. Commissioner Kim Davis said,
“The suspensions issued were not as a result of the videotape but as a result of the behaviour that happened to be videotaped…It really doesn’t have anything to do with whether it tarnished the image of the league or anything like that. Clearly that’s an issue but we don’t attribute one or two or three games to the number as a result of that negative part.”
NFL
– Free agent QB Peyton Manning reportedly spent the night in Denver following his Friday visit with the Broncos. A team source tells the Denver Post the visit went “well.” Manning was not accompanied by his agent, however, suggesting a deal is not close. The Post reports Manning would like to reach a decision by the start of free agency on Tuesday. As of Friday evening, he had yet to schedule visits with the Cardinals and Dolphins.
Team sources tell FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer that Manning flew to Arizona to meet with the Cardinals on Saturday evening. Glazer reports Manning will meet with coach Ken Whisenhunt, but will likely be joined by Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner as well. The Cardinals were reportedly prevented from meeting with Manning on Saturday afternoon due to a conflict with a Warner charitable function.
– The Vikings have released CB Cedric Griffin, and OGs Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera. Griffin was set to make $4.1M after struggling in 2011, but ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports the Vikes hope to re-sign him at a lower salary. The Vikings have now cleared roughly $13M in cap space. Griffin was an asset against the run last season, but struggled in coverage and with penalties. Hutchinson and Herrera have been the Vikings’ starting guards since 2007, with Hutchinson starting 89 of a possible 96 games since being signed away from the Seahawks in 2006. Herrera signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004. Hutchinson was due $7M going into his age-35 season, while Herrera was set to make $2.75M between salary and bonuses. Hutchinson’s entire salary will come off the books, while Herrera will count less than $1M against the cap. Hutchinson graded out as one of the league’s best guards in 2011 by Pro Football Focus, and could be brought back at a lower salary.
– The Falcons have signed MLB Lofa Tatupu to a 2-year/$5.75M contract. Tatupu didn’t play in 2011 after coming off of twin knee surgeries. He worked out for the Saints and Titans before visiting the Falcons on Friday. MLB Curtis Lofton will likely walk in free agency. Released by the Seahawks on the eve of training camp last summer, Pro Football Focus rated Tatupu as one of the league’s worst linebackers in 2010. He’ll turn 30 in November.
WWE
– During a recent interview with Extreme Pro Wrestling Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Road Warrior Animal discussed Sting’s status as an icon and his pick for the best singles worker of all time. Here’s what Animal said about:
Teaming with Sting: “The NWA was looking for a spot for Sting and I said make him a brother in paint and then Sting joined us (Road Warriors) in our six-man matches.”
Whether Sting Is An icon: “No! Sting is not in the same league as guys like Triple H, Stone Cold, The Rock. Sting will never be considered a legend or icon until he lets his pride go and joins WWE. He needs to bury his personal issues and just get into the WWE. Sting has to come over to the WWE to be that guy, it’s a bigger stage. Impact is one thing, the WWE is a way bigger thing.”
The Best Singles Wrestler Of All Time: “Easily, [Ric] Flair.”
– Mick Foley commented on the reaction to his public concern for WWE’s on-screen treatment of Eve.
“Not everyone agreed with my comments, but from time to time I feel like a should add my voice to certain subjects.”
Foley wrote this week that WWE is sending a “mixed message” with the name-calling toward Eve since it contradicts their anti-bullying campaign ‘be a STAR’ and John Cena’s motto to “Rise Above Hate.”
– Madusa, who formerly competed for WWE as Alundra Blayze, revealed Saturday on Facebook that she was recently contacted by her former employer. However, she would not disclose further details.
“Just want to let you all know I am NOT at the wrestle reunion in Miami or Canada. just to set the record straight! However…. did receive a call from WWE…… and thats all i am say’n!!”
Madusa is still in possession of the Women’s Championship she infamously dumped in a trash can on a 1995 episode of WCW Monday Nitro after defecting from the promotion. Through social media, she has been angling for a match with WWE where she would defend the title against reigning Divas Champion Beth Phoenix.
– In Friday’s birthdays, Melina Perez turned 33 years old, Rick Steiner turned 52 years old and Nikita Koloff turned 53 years old.
– On this week’s webisode of Foreign Exchange, Santino Marella patrols the Texas border, rounding up WWE’s international Superstars including Natalya, Primo and Ricardo Rodriguez.
TNA
– TNA Wrestling’s Before The Bell video for Victory Road on March 18 is advertising Bobby Roode match against Sting as a No Holds Barred Match.