Associated Press
ALLEN PARK, Mich. ó The Detroit Lions will hold a memorial service for former defensive lineman Corey Smith on Saturday.
The service is scheduled to begin at noon at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.
Smith, a free agent who played the past three seasons for the Lions and who played college ball at N.C. State, was one of three men lost in the Gulf of Mexico after their 21-foor boat capsized during a Feb. 28 fishing trip. There was one survivor.
– MIAMI ó A Miami television station and newspaper are reporting that blood tests show that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth was driving drunk when he fatally struck a pedestrian last week.
WSVN-TV reported Thursday that unnamed sources with knowledge of the investigation say that Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level was between .08 and .16. The legal limit is .08.
– NEW ORLEANS ó The New Orleans Saints have cut cornerback Mike McKenzie.
The 32-year-old McKenzie played five seasons with the Saints after the team acquired him in a 2004 trade with Green Bay. The 11-year veteran started 62 of 63 games.
– FOXBOROUGH, Mass. ó New England has signed veteran wide receiver Joey Galloway, giving the Patriots two of the most prolific active receivers in the NFL.
The 37-year-old Galloway has a 15.7 yards-per-reception career average. That leads all active NFL players with 300 or more career receptions and is just ahead of New England’s Randy Moss, who has a career average of 15.6.
GOLF
MELBOURNE, Australia ó Tiger Woods will play at the Australian Masters in November, his first tournament appearance Down Under since 1998.
Woods has recently returned from an eight-month layoff following season-ending knee surgery last year after winning the U.S. Open, his 14th career major.
– PALM HARBOR, Fla. ó Jim Furyk made two long birdie putts and was equally thrilled with a 10-foot par save on his final hole Thursday, which gave him a 6-under 65 in the Transitions Championship. It was the first time he has held the outright lead since his last PGA Tour victory 20 months ago.
– ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) ó Not long after stepping away from golf, Annika Sorenstam is stepping into motherhood. Sorenstam announced on her blog Thursday that she and her husband, Mike McGee, are expecting their first child this fall.
BASEBALL
SURPRISE, Ariz. ó Andruw Jones’ time with the Texas Rangers could end today.
Jones is in camp on a minor league contract that includes a provision stating that if he is not on the major league roster by March 20, he would be released if requested or added to the roster within 24 hours.
“I can’t say anything right now,” Jones said Thursday. “Ask me tomorrow.”
– KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó Atlanta Braves right-hander Kenshin Kawakami was scratched from his scheduled spring training start Thursday because of arm fatigue.
Kawakami, the first Japanese player signed by the Braves, is expected to be Atlanta’s No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the rotation behind Derek Lowe when the season begins.
– HOUSTON ó Aaron Boone’s first priority is the long-term health of his heart. Later on, he’ll decide whether to resume his baseball career.
The Houston Astros infielder announced Wednesday that he’ll have open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve.
– Hideki Matsui, recovering from left knee surgery, won’t play the outfield for the Yankees until at least interleague road games in June. He’ll be restricted to designated hitter.
NIT
SOUTH BEND, Ind.ó Tory Jackson hit an under-handed shot with 2 seconds left as Notre Dame (20-14) survived squandering a 14-point first-half lead to beat New Mexico 70-68 in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament Thursday.
New Mexico (22-12) had a chance to win at the buzzer, but Tony Dandridge’s 3-pointer rattled in the rim and fell out.
Penn St. 83, Rhode Island 72
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. ó Stanley Pringle scored 19 points, Andrew Jones had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Penn State (24-11) withstood Rhode Island’s backcourt pressure in an 83-72 victory.