JOHN DOHERTY: Shrinkage may be salvation of NFL

Amid the hysteria permeating Major League Baseball's Biogenesis scandal, the media largely continues to ignore the 600-pound gorilla sitting in the room.

Manning, Harbaugh learn from sons, too

NEW YORK | The patriarchs of the NFL's first families of quarterbacks and coaches are anything but interfering dads. In fact, Archie Manning and Jack Harbaugh are just as influenced by their successful sons as their boys are by them.

Colts sign RB Ahmad Bradshaw

INDIANAPOLIS | The Colts are trying to improve their running game. Ahmad Bradshaw is just the latest piece of the puzzle.

Rear slap gets ex-NFL star C. Johnson 30 days jail

FILE - In this Aug. 12, 2012 file photo, Chad Johnson, center, leaves Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Johnson will serve 30 days in jail after violating probation in a domestic violence case involving his then-wife, TV reality star Evelyn Lozada. A plea deal that called for no j…

Rear slap gets ex-NFL star C. Johnson 30 days jail

This May 20, 2013 arrest photo made available by the Broward County Sheriff's Office shows former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson. Johnson will serve 30 days in jail after violating probation in a domestic violence case involving his then-wife, TV reality star Evelyn Lozada. A plea deal that …

Rear slap gets ex-NFL star C. Johnson 30 days jail

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. | Former NFL star Chad Johnson was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail for a probation violation in a domestic violence case by a judge who angrily rejected a no-jail plea deal after Johnson playfully slapped his attorney on the backside in court.

Astros draft Stanford pitcher Mark Appel at No. 1

SECAUCUS, N.J. | This time, the Houston Astros couldn't resist drafting Mark Appel with the No. 1 pick.

Irish signee Vanderdoes switches to UCLA instead

SOUTH BEND | Notre Dame said Tuesday it will not release a standout high school recruit from his letter of intent before he enrolls at UCLA later this month, meaning he can't play football for the Bruins this fall and will lose a season of eligibility.

Bears WR Marshall back on field after hip surgery

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since undergoing January hip surgery, saying he expects to be 100 percent for the start of training camp.

Pair of off-field headaches crop up for Bears

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | It was a day of apologies for the Bears.

Pair of off-field headaches crop up for Bears

Bears tight end Evan Rodriguez talks with reporters after practice Tuesday in Lake Forest, Ill. Authorities say Rodriguez was ticketed for driving under the influence, speeding and improper lane usage and was ticketed early Friday on Interstate 90, near downtown Chicago. The incident was the…

AP source: Big Ten coming to Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK | The Pinstripe Bowl and Big Ten will announce at Yankee Stadium on Monday a multiyear agreement between the conference and the 3-year-old postseason game, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Big Ten will replace the Big 12 in the Pinstripe Bowl, starting in 2014.

Athletics became a way for E.C. youth to attend college

Before the Great Depression, there was little talk in the Calumet Region about high school graduates going on to college. That changed when outstanding athletes began breaking through and were followed by others from the high same school.

Lawyer: NCAA actions affected entire PSU community

BELLEFONTE, Pa. | From former players to faculty members, a mini-cross section of the Penn State community has partnered with the late head coach Joe Paterno's family in suing the NCAA to overturn the landmark sanctions against the school for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

What will Notre Dame do without QB Everett Golson?

Notre Dame will have a new starting quarterback in 2013 — just as it did in 2012, when the Fighting Irish went undefeated in the regular season and played in the BCS championship game.

Lucas Oil to host Chelsea and Inter Milan in summer tournament

MIAMI | When the inaugural International Champions Cup arrives this summer, seven of the eight club teams in the field will be working through their preseason schedules.

What will Notre Dame do without QB Everett Golson?

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, left, gives a play to quarterback Everett Golson against Purdue last season. Golson's high school coach says he believes the quarterback will learn from being suspended by Notre Dame for the fall semester.

Bears to retire Ditka's No. 89

CHICAGO | Hall of Famer Mike Ditka will have his No. 89 retired by the Bears next season.

Bear Down: Remembering the best moments from Brian Urlacher's career

To celebrate the Hall-of-Fame career of an all-time Bears great, we take a look back at the top five moments in Brian Urlacher's career — with four honorable mentions — for No. 54: