Stewart returning to competition after fatal crash

Tony Stewart will return to Sprint Cup competition Sunday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway, ending a three-race hiatus taken after he struck and killed a fellow driver during a dirt-track race.

The three-time NASCAR champion has not raced since his car hit Kevin Ward Jr. at an Aug. 9 sprint car event in upstate New York. Stewart pulled out of the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen the next morning, then skipped races at Michigan and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Stewart, who was described by police as ''visibly shaken'' the night of Ward's death, has been in seclusion ever since. Stewart-Haas Racing executive vice president Brett Frood has said the emphasis was on giving Stewart time needed to get him ''in a better place than he is.''

Stewart's only comment since the crash was a statement the day after the crash in which he said ''there aren't words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr.''

Ward had climbed from his car after it had spun while racing for position with Stewart. The 20-year-old walked down onto the racing surface waving his arms in an apparent attempt to confront Stewart.

Authorities said the first car to pass Ward had to swerve to miss hitting him. The front of Stewart's car then appeared to clear Ward, but Ward was struck by the right rear tire and hurtled through the air. He died of blunt force trauma.

Stewart will return with a decision pending on whether he will be charged in Ward's death. Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero has said investigators did not have any evidence to support criminal intent by Stewart. Povero said Thursday the investigation is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old NASCAR superstar will move forward with his career and attempt to salvage his season.

NASCAR released a statement saying that Stewart was eligible to return because he ''has received all necessary clearances required to return to all racing activities.'' NASCAR said it would have no further comment until President Mike Helton speaks Friday afternoon.

Stewart, who has 48 career Cup wins in 542 starts, is one of the biggest stars in the garage. His peers have been protective of him as questions emerged in the aftermath of the crash, and it pained them that Stewart was grieving in private and had cut off communication with so many of them. He will talk to the media for the first time since the fatal crash on Friday.

NASCAR rules state a driver must attempt to either qualify or race the car in every points-paying event to be eligible for Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, unless a waiver is granted. There was no immediate word if NASCAR would grant that waiver.

Since Ward's death, NASCAR has announced a rule that prohibits drivers from exiting from a crashed or disabled vehicle - unless it is on fire - until safety personnel arrive. Last week, Denny Hamlin crashed while leading at Bristol and stayed in his car until safety personnel arrived.

But Hamlin then exited his vehicle and angrily tossed a safety device at Kevin Harvick as he passed by moments later. He was not penalized.

AP source: Gordon wants to play in CFL but can't

Josh Gordon can't run a deep pass route into Canada and play.

The Cleveland Browns' suspended star wide receiver wanted to play in the Canadian Football League during his indefinite suspension, but CFL rules prohibit him from doing so.

Gordon, whose season-long suspension by the NFL was upheld on Wednesday, asked the Browns for permission to play for the Calgary Stampeders, a person familiar with the Pro Bowler's situation told The Associated Press on Thursday. However, a CFL rule that has been in place since 2006 bars any suspended NFL players under contract from playing.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

CFL spokesman Jamie Dykstra said the only way Gordon could play in the league is if he was released by the Browns and became a free agent. Former Indianapolis wide receiver LaVon Brazill, serving a four-game NFL drug suspension, signed last week with Toronto after being cut by the Colts.

The CFL's board of governors adopted the rule eight years ago after suspended running back Ricky Williams played one season for Toronto.

Gordon will miss the entire 2014 season after another violation of the NFL's substance-abuse program. He appealed the yearlong punishment, but arbitrator Harold Henderson agreed with league's initial ruling. The league said Gordon's eligibility for reinstatement will be determined after the season.

The 23-year-old is not allowed to practice with the Browns or attend any meetings. He is only allowed in Cleveland's headquarters during his banishment when he's getting medical treatment.

Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 yards receiving last season despite being suspended for two games and playing with three quarterbacks.

Without him, the Browns, who host the Chicago Bears in their final exhibition on Thursday, are lacking a deep threat to keep defenses honest.

USC backup RB quits, coach refutes racism claims

Running back Anthony Brown has quit Southern California's football team, and coach Steve Sarkisian was stunned Thursday by Brown's apparent accusations of racism against him on social media.

A photo of the words ''Couldn't play for a racist man!!!!'' was posted on what USC said was Brown's Instagram account. The posting was later deleted.

''Sark treated me like a slave in his Office,'' was posted in the caption to the photo, along with the hashtag ''Fighton.''

Sarkisian was told about the apparent posts from Brown, who is black, shortly after USC finished practice Thursday. The visibly disturbed coach called them ''ridiculous,'' saying Brown had shown no indication he felt slighted or insulted in their relationship.

''If you ask anybody in our building, any of our players ... that's about the furthest thing from the truth,'' Sarkisian said. ''Quite honestly, I'm shocked.''

Brown's acrimonious departure is another blow to a program already reeling from the bizarre saga of cornerback Josh Shaw, who was caught in a lie about the circumstances in which he sprained both of his ankles last weekend. Shaw has been suspended indefinitely.

Brown is a senior who played cornerback for the Trojans until this year, starting two games in each of his first three seasons. He played in only two games last year due to ankle injuries, racking up nine tackles at Notre Dame before missing the final eight games.

He switched positions to running back for his senior year, but Brown missed most of training camp with a hyperextended elbow.

''I had encouraged him to play,'' Sarkisian said. ''I wanted him to play. I didn't want him to quit, and I thought he could get healthy.''

Sarkisian said Brown asked the coaches to allow him to play running back this season, and the staff agreed with his move to a talent-rich position at Tailback U. After missing most of camp, he is listed sixth on USC's depth chart behind returning starters Javorius Allen and Tre Madden, as well as talented backups including Justin Davis.

''We thought he could be an asset to our team, especially when healthy,'' Sarkisian said. ''(USC) really tried to make it a point to accommodate the position change. He wanted to move to running back. We did so. He unfortunately got injured and was working his way back in training camp, and decided he didn't want to play anymore.''

Several current Trojans and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart immediately jumped on social media to defend Sarkisian. The first-year USC coach and former Trojans assistant hasn't even appeared on the Coliseum sideline this season before dealing with another dose of the turmoil that seems to follow this vaunted program.

''Coach Sark is who we all believe him to be,'' USC receiver George Farmer posted on his Twitter account. ''Accusations like those couldn't be more untrue.''

Record-setting Yusmeiro Petit leads Giants past Rockies 4-1

One strike shy from a perfect game last September, Yusmeiro Petit refused to let another chance at baseball history slip away.

Petit set a major league record when he retired his 46th batter in a row, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Thursday for their third straight win.

''I think it's like a reward for all the work I have put into my pitching,'' Petit said through a translator. ''I think God gave me a second opportunity, and I said to myself, 'He's giving me another opportunity. This time, I'm not going to allow myself to not do it.'''

Petit (4-3) got the first eight hitters, establishing the mark by striking out Charlie Culberson. That broke Mark Buehrle's record of 45 straight with the Chicago White Sox in 2009.

The announced sellout crowd of 41,017 at AT&T Park gave Petit a standing ovation after he fanned Culberson. The string ended two pitches later when the next batter, Rockies starter Jordan Lyles, doubled to left field. Charlie Blackmon followed with a single to drive in Colorado's only run.

''I was a little nervous when the hitters were advancing toward the record. But in that pitch to the pitcher, I was not nervous,'' Petit said. ''I was doing my job. The first pitch was fine. The second pitch was fine, too, but it slid a little bit where I didn't want it to.''

Petit's streak covered eight games, six of them in relief. He also surpassed Jim Barr's NL record of 41 in a row with the Giants in 1972, carving out his own slice of baseball lore after Eric Chavez wrecked Petit's perfect game against Arizona with a two-out single in the ninth last year.

The 29-year-old journeyman from Venezuela made the start in place of struggling Tim Lincecum, who was available out of the bullpen. Petit allowed four hits, struck out nine and walked none, pitching out of the stretch the entire game.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he will weigh his options but admitted it will be hard to take Petit out of the rotation.

''What a roll to get on to have that kind of record,'' Bochy said. ''As long as this game's been going on, now he's got it.''

Gregor Blanco hit a two-run homer, Angel Pagan had three singles and two others drove in a run to supply all the support Petit needed.

Jean Machi and Sergio Romo each tossed a scoreless inning of relief, and Santiago Casilla pitched a scoreless ninth for his 12th save in 16 chances.

Lyles (6-2) allowed three runs and four hits in six innings. But his biggest contribution might have come with his bat, hitting a four-seam fastball clocked at 89 mph.

''That might be a trivia answer some day,'' he said.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - AUGUST 28TH

1921 - Babe Ruth starts streak of an extra-base hit in 9 straight games.

1926 - Indian Emil Levsen pitches complete doubleheader victory (Red Sox).

1932 - Andy Bathgate, Canada, NY Ranger (1958 NHL MVP) is born.

1950 - Ron "Louisiana Lightning" Guidry, Yankee pitcher (Cy Young 1978) is born.

1951 - Braves sell pitcher Johnny Sain to the Yankees for $50,000.

1955 - First NFL preseason sudden death football, Rams beats Giants 23-17.

1960 - White Sox Ted Kluzewski's 3-run HR is disallowed as ump called time.

1969 - Pierre Turgeon, Rouyn Quebec, NHL center
 (NY Islanders, Montreal Canadiens) is born.

1977 - Nolan Ryan strikes out 300 batters for 5th straight year.

1987 - Mike Schmidt passes Ted Williams & Willie McCovey with 522 HRs.



Browns WR Gordon suspended for 2014 season

Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended the entire NFL season for another violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

The league announced Wednesday that arbitrator Harold Henderson upheld Gordon's indefinite suspension for a failed test for marijuana. The Pro Bowler had appealed the ruling and met with league officials in New York on Aug. 4.

Gordon's suspension is effective immediately and the league said in its statement that his ''eligibility for reinstatement will be determined following the 2014 season.'' In the meantime, Gordon is not allowed to practice with the team, attend meetings or other club functions.

Gordon served a two-game suspension for a drug violation last season but still led the league in yards receiving and emerged as one of the game's top players.

''I'd like to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Cleveland Browns organization and our fans,'' Gordon said in a statement. ''I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn't exercise better discretion and judgment in my case. I would like to sincerely thank the people who have been incredibly supportive of me during this challenging time, including my family, my agent, my union, my legal team, and the Cleveland Browns staff.''

The Browns have been waiting four months for a resolution to Gordon's case, which hung over him and the team. He continued to practice and played in Cleveland's first three exhibition games.

Gordon fought the suspension, hiring attorney Maurice Suh to represent him at the appeal hearing. Suh, who had successfully gotten a suspension reduced for Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman, argued that Gordon tested positive for marijuana due to secondhand smoke. Gordon's representatives also said test results of his samples were inconsistent and should be thrown out.

There was speculation the league might go softer on Gordon following the public outcry after Baltimore running back Ray Rice was suspended for two games on a domestic violence charge. Instead, the league is putting Gordon on the sideline for all 16 games and will wait to see how he behaves before deciding whether to let him play again.

Gordon didn't help his cause with two legal issues as his case dragged on. He was charged with drunken driving after his arrest in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 5. In May, he was stopped for speeding in Strongsville, Ohio, and one of the passengers in his car was cited for marijuana possession.

The talented 23-year-old led the league with 1,646 yards receiving last season despite being banned for the first two games for a failed drug test. It was his second known violation and Gordon said he had inadvertently taken codeine contained in a prescription cough syrup.

Gordon's loss is a crippling blow to Cleveland's offense, depriving the Browns of their best big-play threat. He averaged 18.9 yards per catch in 2013 and became the first player in league history to record consecutive 200-yard games.

The Browns took a risk in selecting Gordon in the 2012 supplemental draft, forfeiting a second-round pick to take the speedy 6-foot-3, 225-pounder who failed at least three drug tests in college for marijuana abuse.

The team has vowed to do all it can to help and support Gordon, who recently posted a photo on Instagram of him catching a pass from rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel. Gordon captioned the photo, ''Only place I can find peace.''

Clippers sign Doc Rivers to contract extension

Doc Rivers is staying with the Los Angeles Clippers for another five years.

In Steve Ballmer's first big move since taking over as the new owner, he gave Rivers a contract extension through the 2018-19 season.

Ballmer said Wednesday it was one of his top priorities to ensure that Rivers remains as the long-term leader of the team. Rivers was a stabilizing force for the franchise during the upheaval created by former owner Donald Sterling's racist remarks that led to his ouster after 33 years of ownership.

''Not only is Doc one of the best coaches and executives in the game, but he continually embodies the hardcore, committed and resilient character and winning culture that the Clippers represent,'' Ballmer said, repeating the ''hardcore'' theme he uttered during last week's fan rally.

Interim CEO Dick Parsons testified during Sterling's battle with his estranged wife to keep the team that Rivers would quit if Sterling was successful.

''I didn't think I was going to have to, honestly,'' Rivers said last week. ''But I think a lot of us would have been willing to, for sure.''

Now, Rivers can settle in knowing he has a new owner who is passionate about the game and eager to support the team.

''With Steve's leadership, we have this opportunity to be this great organization,'' Rivers said last week. ''That's probably what makes me the most excited because I know if you get that part right, the basketball part will become easier in some ways, and that's good.''

Rivers joined the team in June 2013 and added president of basketball operations to his responsibilities two months ago.

The 52-year-old coach guided the Clippers to the best record in franchise history at 57-25 and a second straight Pacific Division title last season. They lost to Oklahoma City in the second round of the playoffs.

Rivers has a career regular-season record of 644-498 and a 70-64 playoff mark, with previous head coaching stints in Boston, where he won the 2008 NBA title, and Orlando.