NFL
Former Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins is in critical condition after being shot by Miami Beach Police following an altercation Sunday morning. The 2002 Pro Bowl selection is infamously remembered for going AWOL the night before Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. Robbins, who was shot several times in the torso, was confronted on the second floor of an office building after being suspected in a burglary. Although no official charges have been filed, Robbins is expected to be charged with trespassing and battery.
PLAYOFFS CONTINUE
Anticipation for the remaining NFL playoff matchups continues to heighten as four teams took one more step toward Super Bowl glory. In a confident display of team defense, the New England Patriots smashed the Indianapolis Colts 20-3 amid a steady flow of snow flurries to advance to the AFC Championship. Awaiting the Patriots will be the Pittsburgh Steelers who defeated the New York Jets 20-17 with a thrilling overtime game-winning field goal. The high-powered offense of the Atlanta Falcons froze the St. Louis Rams 47-17 to set up a showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. The Eagles ran over the Minnesota Vikings 27-14 behind two touchdowns from wide receiver Freddie Mitchell.
NBA
Denver Nuggets forward Nene and Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi were suspended for four games Saturday, stemming from an altercation in the Timberwolves 93-83 victory Friday night. The incident started with 7.1 seconds remaining in the third quarter, as Nene and Olowokandi exchanged shoves after fighting for a rebound. The shoves turned into inaccurate punches, before officials and members of both teams separated the two. Marcus Camby and Francisco Elson were suspended for a game for leaving the bench. Olowokandi’s next game will be against Portland Saturday, while Nene will rejoin the Nuggets Jan. 25 in Chicago as his team faces the Bulls.
MLB
Texas Rangers second baseman Alfonso Soriano agreed to a one-year deal worth $ 7.5 million Monday. Soriano had a .280 batting average, 28 home runs and 91 RBIs in 142 games, his first with the Rangers. The one-year deal ends current speculation of the Rangers trading the three-time All Star. The contract keeps the 2004 All Star game MVP under contract until the end of the 2006 season.
Compiled by LeMont Calloway