Associated Press
SIMSBURY, Conn. ó Having been held overnight for observation after breaking five ribs in a fall from his bicycle, UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun was released Sunday from the UConn Health Center in Farmington.
Calhoun had completed a 50-mile course Saturday in the Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride, crossed the finish line and, with a self-deprecating smile, spoke fondly of the experience.
“Best I’ve ever felt,” he said.
But that smile disappeared as Calhoun fell to the ground as two friends reached for him. Upon being checked at the hospital, Calhoun, 67, was informed he had broken five ribs during a fall that occurred about 12 miles into the ride that takes participants into Massachusetts and back. Calhoun hit a pothole and went over the handlebars. He had to wait about an hour for a bike mechanic to arrive and replace his damaged wheel. Then Calhoun got back on the bike, riding the remaining 38 miles with five broken ribs.
NFL
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. ó Kyle Orton was selected to be the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos on Saturday.
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels decided to end the suspense early heading into next month’s training camp.
Orton had been competing this offseason with Chris Simms for the starting spot left open by the blockbuster deal that sent Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears on April 3.
But McDaniels apparently liked what he saw in Orton’s assimilation to the offense over the past several months to give the three-year veteran the edge for now, stressing there was still time for Simms to take away the job.
NHL
FRISCO, Texas ó Mike Modano was caught off guard when the Dallas Stars fired coach Dave Tippett this week.
Yet, the surprising move by former teammate and new Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk isn’t changing Modano’s mind. Modano, the face of the franchise and the highest-scoring American-born player, is still returning for his 20th NHL season.
BOXING
CANASTOTA, N.Y. ó Three-time heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday.
Lewis retired in 2003 with a record of 41-2-1, including 32 KOs, and enters the hall in his first year of eligibility.
Canizales retired in 1999 with a record of 50-5-1.
Mitchell, the first South African boxer to be inducted into the hall in Canastota, N.Y., finished his career 45-1-3 with 21 KOs.
– LAS VEGAS ó Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s comeback has been postponed because the boxer suffered a rib injury while training.
Mayweather’s July 18 fight against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be rescheduled.
“I am extremely disappointed that this fight has to be postponed,” Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) said.
SWIMMING
SANTA CLARA, Calif. ó Michael Phelps, children’s book author?Yes, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist has a new book in stores titled “How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals.”
It features illustrations by Ward Jenkins of Phelps, his bulldog Herman and his coach Bob Bowman.
In the book Phelps describes his training regimen in terms relatable to kids. For example, during six years of training, he swam 12,480 miles. He points out that’s the same as swimming “from my hometown of Baltimore to the North Pole and back, and doing it all over again!”
– Two races, two losses for Michael Phelps.The 14-time Olympic gold medalist was beaten in the 100-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke Sunday at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix.
BASEBALL
OMAHA ó Southern Mississippi reliever Jonathan Johnston walked Brandon Loy on four pitches with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give Texas a 7-6 win in the College World Series on Sunday night.
The Longhorns’ final three runs scored on bases-loaded walks. Of Texas’ last 11 batters, six walked and one was hit by a pitch.