Armstrong losing Olympic medal

LONDON (AP) —Olympic officials have disclosed one more embarrassment for Lance Armstrong.

The International Olympic Committee sent a letter to the disgraced cyclist Wednesday night asking him to return the bronze medal won at the 2000 Sydney Games.

On Monday, Armstrong taped an interview with Oprah Winfrey for broadcast tonight and Friday on her network. A person familiar with the situation told the AP that the winner of seven straight Tour de France titles confessed to Winfrey to using performance-enhancing drugs.

NFL-JAGUARS-BRADLEY

Jags fill coaching vacancy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as head coach.

The 46-year-old Bradley is part of Jacksonville's rebuilding project directed by recently installed general manager David Caldwell.

Bradley spent the last four seasons in Seattle, where his defense improved each of the last three years and finished in the top 10 in points and yards the last two. This season, the Seahawks ranked first in the NFL in points allowed, fourth in yards and tied for fourth in takeaways.

The Jaguars were 30th in the league in total defense in 2012.

NFL-EAGLES-KELLY

A new era in Philly football

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A sign reading "Our Chip's Come In" greeted Chip Kelly outside the Philadelphia Eagles' practice facility on his first day as head coach.

Kelly was hired Wednesday, ending an exhaustive search to replace Andy Reid.

After initially turning down the job, the offensive innovator was lured away from Oregon, where he went 46-7 in four seasons and turned the program into a national powerhouse.

Kelly says he knew he wanted to be in Philadelphia, it was just a matter of "figuring out how to do it the right way."

Though he has no previous NFL experience, the Eagles are banking on Kelly to turn around a franchise that has just 12 wins in the last two years and zero playoff victories since 2008.

NFL-BEARS-TRESTMAN

Trestman excited by opportunity

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Marc Trestman says he has one of the best jobs in sports now that he's the head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Trestman emphasized at his introductory news conference the urgency to win now. He also says he can't wait to get his hands on quarterback Jay Cutler.

Trestman says Rod Marinelli will not return as the Bears' defensive coordinator next season. He's a longtime friend of former coach Lovie Smith.

NFL-BROWNS-TURNER

Browns and Broncos have new offensive coordinators

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have named Norv Turner their new offensive coordinator.

Turner was fired as head coach of the Chargers earlier this month after leading San Diego to a 59-43 record and three division titles in six years

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TE'O HOAX-MAUA'I

Ex-Cardinal fullback says he met Te'o's girlfriend

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Former Arizona Cardinals fullback Reagan Maui'a (MAO-ee-uh) says he met the girlfriend of Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, a woman the university and Te 'o now say doesn't exist.

Maui'a told ESPN that he met Lennay Kekua in 2011 while he and some teammates were on a charity mission to American Samoa.

Maui'a told the network that this was before the woman met Te'o and that he and Kekua became "good friends."

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TE'O HOAX-BRANDT

Te'o may slip in draft

UNDATED (AP) — NFL draft consultant Gil Brandt believes the uncertainty surrounding Manti Te'o (MAN'-ty TAY'-oh) could affect when Notre Dame's star linebacker might be selected in April's draft.

Brandt's comments come a day after it was revealed Te'o was involved in a hoax involving an alleged girlfriend. Brandt says he's never witnessed anything like that in his half-century in pro football.

The former Dallas Cowboys general manager adds that Te'o's stock had already plummeted after a poor performance in the BCS championship game.

MLB-RANGERS-HARRISON

Rangers ink veteran lefty

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have finalized a $55 million, five-year contract with All-Star pitcher Matt Harrison.

The deal includes a 2018 club option that could become guaranteed depending on the number of innings the left-hander pitches.

Harrison was 18-11 with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts last year and is 32-20 over 399 innings during the past two seasons. He started Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, which the Rangers lost at St. Louis.

MLB-PIRATES-KARSTENS

Karstens staying put

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jeff Karstens is staying with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two sides have finalized a $2.5 million contract for the upcoming season.

The 30-year-old right-hander can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses based on innings.

Karstens was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts and four relief appearances last year, when he missed time because of separate injuries to a hip, groin and shoulder.

MLB-RED SOX-SIGNINGS

Bosox scratch one for the arbitration list

BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (sawlt-uh-luh-MAH'-kee-uh) have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $4.5 million, one-year contract. That's a $2 million raise.

The 27-year-old switch hitter batted .222 with 25 home runs and 59 RBIs last season, becoming the first catcher to lead the Red Sox in home runs since Carlton Fisk, who hit 26 in 1977.

Meanwhile, a person familiar with the negotiations says the Red Sox and Mike Napoli (NAP'-oh-lee) have agreed to shorten their deal to a one-year contract worth $5 million. Boston and Napoli agreed Dec. 3 to a $39 million, three-year contract, subject to a successful physical. But the Red Sox became concerned about Napoli's hip, and that agreement was never announced.

MLB-SCHILLING-BLOODY SOCK

Schilling's bloody sock going up for auction

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is selling the blood-stained sock he wore during the 2004 World Series after the collapse of his Providence-based video game company.

The sock, which had been on loan to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, is expected to bring in at least $100,000 at an auction next month.

GOLF-ABU DHABI

McIlroy struggles with new clubs

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three days after announcing a multimillion dollar sponsorship deal with Nike, Rory Mclroy is in danger of missing the cut at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The world No. 1 carded a 3-over-par 75 in round one.

Mclroy says his difficulties had more to do with rusty strokes than the new equipment.

Second-ranked Tiger Woods also struggled in his 2013 debut, three-putting for bogey on his final hole and signing for an even-par 72.

England's Justin Rose and Jamie Donaldson of Wales matched 67s and share a one-stroke lead after 18 holes.

TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Federer and Williams easy winners Down Under

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Second-seeded Roger Federer continues his bid for a fifth title at Melbourne Park by beating Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko (NIH'-koh-ly dah-vee-DENK'-oh) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in round two of the Australian Open.

And third-seeded Serena Williams showed no ill effects from the ankle injury suffered in her opening match, beating Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-2, 6-love in round two.

Meanwhile, defending women's champ Victoria Azarenka (az-ah-REHN'-kah) cruised into the third round and is on track for a semifinal meeting with Serena Williams.

TENNIS-NADAL'S RETURN

Nadal moves up return

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Rafael Nadal plans to return to tennis a bit earlier than expected.

Chile Open organizers say the Spaniard will make his 2013 debut in their clay-court event, which starts Feb. 4 in Vina del Mar.

Nadal hasn't played tennis since June, mainly because of tendinitis in his left knee.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Nadal was planning his return for the Brazil Open, which begins Feb. 11.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.