National Sports Digest

Associated Press

IRVING, Texas — The undisputed star of Texas Stadium has left the field.

Crews on Friday rolled up the star section of blue artificial turf, about 30 feet by 30 feet, as part of plans to remove and sell items from the former home of the Dallas Cowboys.

John Linville of Hellas Construction says the company laid the latest artificial field in 2002, including the more than 1-ton section of the star.

The star graced the 50-yard line at Texas Stadium, which hosted its final Cowboys game on Dec. 20, a 33-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cowboys this year will inaugurate their $1.2 billion retractable-roof stadium in Arlington.

An online auction was held to sell items, such as an American flag hanging in the stadium that went for $850. A Cowboys helmet golf cart sold for $12,500.

- TAMPA, Fla. — The Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day game is safe, at least for 2009. But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that could change.

During a news conference Friday, Goodell said owners will discuss having other teams host Thanksgiving Day games "as we get later into the year."

The Lions have hosted Thanksgiving Day games since 1934, but the club fought off a resolution to rotate the game among NFL teams in 1999.

- TAMPA, Fla. — The art of the sack was never lost on these five guys: Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Claude Humphrey, Richard Dent and John Randle.

Among the greatest practitioners of wrestling quarterbacks to the ground, they are among 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A minimum of four finalists and a maximum of seven will be chosen today.

NHL

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Steve Mason stopped 18 shots for his NHL-leading seventh shutout of the season, making fellow rookie Jake Voracek's second-period goal stand up in the Columbus Blue Jackets' 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.

Devils 4, Penguins 3, OT

NEWARK, N.J. — Jamie Langenbrunner tied it with 31 seconds left in regulation, then scored late in overtime to give New Jersey its eighth straight victory.

Flyers 6, Lightning 1

TAMPA, Fla. — Jeff Carter scored twice in a third period to take the NHL goal lead, and Mike Richards had two goals and an assist for Philadelphia.

- TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Lightning backup goalie Olaf Kolzig was scheduled to have what was expected to be season-ending surgery Saturday on his left forearm.

BASEBALL

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers signed outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year deal worth $3.06 million, the last of the team's players eligible for arbitration.

The 31-year-old Byrd batted .298 with 10 home runs, 28 doubles and 53 RBIs in 122 games for Texas last year.

Byrd played his low Class A ball in Kannapolis for the Piedmont Boll Weevils.

GOLF

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Phil Mickelson tied for 121st.

Nick Watney was all alone at the top of the crowded leaderboard.

While local favorite Mickelson missed the projected cut by seven strokes, Watney shot an 8-under 63 to Friday to take the second-round lead in the FBR Open.

SOCCER

CARSON, Calif. — Galaxy coach Bruce Arena dismissed reports from Italy that David Beckham could stay with AC Milan beyond his current loan from Los Angeles.

Beckham joined AC Milan in December on a loan that ends March 8. He has started four games and scored twice.