Sports Buzz: USC Running Back Calls Coach Racist, Quits Team
Plus, Michael Sam confident he'll make NFL roster.
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Senior Anthony Brown Quit Trojans After Alleging Coach Is Racist - USC running back Anthony Brown quit the Trojans football team Thursday, alleging that head coach Steve Sarkisian is a “racist.” The senior told TMZ that he wanted to meet with Sarkisian to find out where he stood with the team after being injured. When he got that meeting Tuesday, Brown alleges that Sarkisian told him, ‘You have the f--king guts to walk in here — coward.” Brown added: “The way he was talking to me…it was like a slave master talking to his slave.” Brown also said that Sarkisian stereotyped his parents in attempt to “belittle” him “to another level.” USC’s first-year coach didn’t respond back to TMZ as of yet, but many of his other players came to his aid and adamantly stated that Sarkisian is not a racist. The news comes a day after USC’s senior cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended indefinitely after ...
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Michael Sam Confident He'll Make NFL Roster - After recording six tackles in a 14-13 preseason-closing loss to the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, St. Louis Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam likes his chances of making the team’s final roster. "I'm very confident that I'm going to sleep really well tonight and I'm very confident I'm going to be on a team, the Rams or any other team in the NFL,” Sam told ESPN after the game. All NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. (Photo: Marc Serota/Getty Images)
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Tony Stewart Returns to Racing Sunday - Tony Stewart has decided to race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, marking his first competition since hitting and killing Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint race on August 9. (Photo: AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
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Peyton Manning Fined for Taunting - The NFL fined Peyton Manning $8,268 on Thursday for taunting Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger. The veteran quarterback gave an earful to Swearinger after a nasty hit that the defensive back put on Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, resulting in a concussion. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Bills Rookie Watkins Re-injures Ribs - Playing in his first game back since bruising his ribs August 16, Buffalo Bills rookie wideout Sammy Watkins re-injured his ribs during the team’s preseason finale 23-0 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday, according to ESPN. There’s no telling if Watkins will be ready September 7, when the Bills kick off their 2014 season visiting the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Notre Dame Pulls Fifth Player Due to Academic Investigation - That makes five. Notre Dame announced Thursday that a fifth player will miss time with the team as a result of an ongoing investigation about academic dishonesty. "As Notre Dame's internal investigation relating to potential NCAA violations reaches its conclusion, a decision has been made to hold a fifth football player out from practice and competition,” Notre Dame released in a statement, as reported by CBS Sports.(Photo: Notre Dame)
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Kevin Love Says Timberwolves Owner Should Focus on Own Team - Kevin Love caught wind of Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor saying Tuesday that the All-Star power forward would be third fiddle to LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland and didn't play defense while in Minnesota. On Wednesday, Love responded telling ESPN's "Mike & Mike" that "emotions are definitely running high right now" and suggesting Taylor "should be focusing on the players that he just received" in Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young. (Photo: AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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Doc Rivers, Clippers Agree to Extension - With two years remaining on his original three-year, $21 million deal, Doc Rivers wanted to make it a point to speak with new Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer about an extension. Not only did the veteran coach get that conversation, but he also got the contract, signing a five-year extension reportedly worth over $50 million Wednesday, according to ESPN.(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Carroll Disappointed By Seahawks' Penalty - Pete Carroll is upset about the perception of his Seattle Seahawks after being fined more than $300,000 by the NFL on Tuesday for having excessive contact during a June 18 practice. "I don't want to be doing things wrong," the Seahawks head coach told ESPN on Wednesday. I want to do things right and I'd like to show exactly how to do it. We're trying to do things the best you can possibly do it. Unfortunately, this decision makes it look otherwise." (Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant Analyzing How Paul Pierce Evolved As Veteran - Being 36 and coming off a 2013-14 season in which he only played six games due to a fracture in his left knee, Kobe Bryant knows he will need to adjust his game. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar says he's analyzing Paul Pierce, 36, to learn how to become "more efficient."(Photos from left: AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File, Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat Sign Shannon Brown - The Miami Heat added some experience Wednesday, signing veteran guard Shannon Brown to a one-year, $1.3 million contract, according to USA Today. Brown saw limited actions with the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs last season.(Photo: Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
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Team USA Routs Slovenia in Final Exhibition Game Before World Cup - Team USA looks more than ready for the FIBA World Cup. That was evident after the Americans thrashed Slovenia 101-71 on Tuesday night in their final exhibition game before officially beginning the World Cup of Basketball tournament Saturday against Finland. Anthony Davis led the way for Team USA with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kenneth Faried added 14 points of his own in Tuesday night’s rout.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NBA Expanding Area Behind Basket After George Injury - The NBA announced Tuesday that it will expand the area behind the basket and limit the number of photographers allowed, but don’t think this is a trigger reaction to Paul George’s gruesome compound leg fracture earlier this month. President of league operations Rod Thorn actually told the Associated Press that this change was proposed years back and George’s ugly incident only ensured that the league is moving in the right direction. The planned change to open up the area behind the basket may take effect as soon as the 2014-15 season.(Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau, Glenn Pinkerton/AP Photo)
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Kevin Love Gets Formally Introduced by Cavaliers - While being formally introduced by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, Kevin Love made sure to let media know that he plans on teaming up with LeBron James and the Cavs for the long haul. "I'm committed to this team, committed long-term to the end goal and that's to win championships," the All-Star power forward said. Love will don the number zero with the Cavs.(Photo: AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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Pete Caroll, Seahawks Fined $300K for Contact in Practice - Is this why the Seattle Seahawks have such a physical defense? On Tuesday, the NFL announced that it fined Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at least $100,000 and the Seattle organization over $200,000 more for having excessive contact during a June 18 practice. The league specifically prohibits excessive contact during offseason practices. With the punishment, the Seahawks will also lose two double practices in 2015. (Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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What's The Story Behind Josh Shaw's Injury? - USC football player Josh Shaw told the school he seriously injured both of his ankles while rescuing his drowning nephew Saturday night. However, the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department told TMZ Sports that they never received a call about a drowning. The site also reported that Shaw was named on a burglary report Saturday night, but that he was not a suspect.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Josh Gordon's DWI Case Continued Until November - Josh Gordon’s DWI case — which stems from the Cleveland Browns standout receiver blowing a 0.09 in July after being pulled over for speeding — has gotten a continuance until November 18, according to CBS Sports. Reports point to Gordon getting suspended by the NFL for at least half of the 2014 season, possibly even the whole year.(Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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49ers' Levis Stadium Has Turf Torn Out Again - Levis Stadium is supposed to be the San Francisco 49ers’ new home. Yet, it already has problems like it has been around for years. After players began slipping during practice last week, the turf had to be ripped up and replaced. Yet according to a report, the turf will be ready for the 49ers’ home opener on September 14 against the Chicago Bears.(Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Vegas Oddsmakers Like Cleveland to Win It All - Can you really blame them? Las Vegas oddsmakers like LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA championship this upcoming season, giving them 5/2 odds. They're followed by the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs (4/1), Chicago Bulls (11/2), Oklahoma City Thunder (6/1) and Los Angeles Clippers (12/1). Agree? (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Steelers Will Suspend Running Backs - Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin vowed that running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount will be punished for their involvement in a traffic stop last week that resulted in each being arrested and charged with marijuana possession. As of now, the exact terms of the suspension are unknown.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Mark Sanchez Doubts He'll Be Traded to St. Louis Rams - Backup Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez "doubts" he'll be traded to the St. Louis Rams to start in the place of Sam Bradford, who's out for the season with a torn ACL. Eagles coach Chip Kelly also reiterated that the team needs Sanchez to be ready in his role. On Monday, it was reported that the Rams would be interested in Sanchez.(Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
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Kyrie Irving Named Starting Point Guard for Team USA - Think LeBron James will be tuning in? According to ESPN, Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving will be the starting point guard for Team USA when it faces Slovenia on Tuesday night for its final tune-up game before the FIBA World Cup tournament begins on Saturday against Finland.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Report: Richie Incognito Cleared for Return - Offensive lineman Richie Incognito, who is most notoriously known for his role in the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal, has been cleared to return to the NFL, according to ESPN. The Dolphins had Incognito on a paid suspension last season. He reportedly met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.(Photo: AP Photo/David Richard, File)
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Jets Suspend AWOL Cornerback Dimitri Patterson - The New York Jets suspended Dimitri Patterson "indefinitely" after the cornerback went 48 hours without contacting the franchise. Patterson missed the Jets' preseason game against the New York Giants without giving reason for his absence.(Photo: AP Photo/File)
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Michael Beasley Won't Return to South Beach - The Miami Heat are not interested in having Michael Beasley return and they reportedly have a laundry list of reasons why. According to the Miami Herald, the organization believes that Beasley has a lack of interest in the game and is still reeling from focus and maturity issues. Beasley played in 55 games last season, averaging 7.9 points per game for the Heat.(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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St. Louis Rams Targeting Sanchez to Replace Bradford? - After losing starting quarterback Sam Bradford to a torn ACL for the entire 2014 season, the St. Louis Rams are reportedly targeting Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Mark Sanchez to possibly take his place. According to NFL.com, the Rams are interested in Sanchez because he gained experience in offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's system when the two were with the New York Jets.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Kevin Love Officially Traded to Cleveland - It's official—Kevin Love is a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The All-Star power forward was dealt as part of a three-team blockbuster trade Saturday, which also saw top draft pick Andrew Wiggins, forner top pick Anthony Bennett and veteran forward Thaddeus Young landing with the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 2015 first-round draft choice and the expiring contracts of guard Alexey Shved and forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute winding up with the Philadelphia 76ers.(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Team USA Makes Final Cuts - Damian Lillard headlined a group of four players relased by Team USA over the weekend as part of the team's final cuts. In addition to the Portland Trail Blazers point guard, Team USA also cut Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons, Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward and Atlanta Hawks forwad Kyle Korver.(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Welker Suffers Third Concussion in 10 Months - Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker suffered his third concussion in 10 Months after taking a vicious hit from Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger during preseason action Saturday. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was whistled for taunting after proceeding to give Swearinger an earful on the field for the hit he put on Welker. As of now, it's unknown when Welker will return to action. The speedy wideout suffered a concussion during Week 10 of last season and played the following week.(Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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Dolphins Hire Dan Marino as Special Adviser - After playing all 17 years of his Hall of Fame career with the Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino has been named the franchise's new special adviser. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role," Marino told CBS Sports. "I have always considered myself a Dolphin for life and I look forward to supporting the organization anyway I can."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Soccer Player Killed By Rock Thrown From Stands - Last season's leading scorer in the Algerian soccer league, Albert Ebosse, was killed Saturday after he was hit in the head by a rock thrown from the stands following his team's loss in the Algerian football championship in Algiers. Ebosse, a striker from Cameroon, was only 24.(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)