Indianapolis hires Dungy as new coach
INDIANAPOLIS — Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy has signed a five-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, one week after he was fired by the Bucs.
Dungy had also spoken with the Carolina Panthers last Friday and Saturday, but the Colts announced his hiring Tuesday. Officials flew to Tampa Bay on Sunday to interview Dungy.
In his six years at Tampa Bay, Dungy achieved a 56-46 record, the only coach in team history to leave with a winning record. The Bucs went 9-8 this season and lost in the first round of the NFL playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Former Colts head coach Jim Mora was fired on Jan. 8. In his four seasons as a head coach, Mora had a 32-34 record and two playoff appearances.
New York involved in an 11-player trade
NEW YORK — The New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies completed an 11-player trade Monday, sending the Mets’ pitcher Glendon Rusch to Milwaukee and third-baseman Todd Zeile to Colorado, while the Mets received outfielder Jeromy Burnitz from Milwaukee.
The Mets also received outfielder Mark Sweeney, pitcher Jeff D’Amico, infielder Lou Collier and cash from the Brewers. From Colorado, the Mets got two minor leaguers: utility man Ross Gload and pitcher Craig House.
The Brewers acquired outfielder Alex Ochoa from the Rockies and infielder Lenny Harris from the Mets.
The Rockies received Zeile and outfielder Benny Agbayani.
Football playoffs continue this week
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens, last year’s Super Bowl champions, 27-10 Sunday.
With the win, the Steelers advance to the AFC title game to face the New England Patriots. The Steelers have not won a Super Bowl in 22 years.
The Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders 16-13 in overtime to advance to the AFC championship game in Pittsburgh.
Kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked the 23-yard game-winning field goal with 8:29 gone in overtime play in the snow in Foxboro, Mass. The Raiders have not won a road playoff game in 21 years.
The St. Louis Rams defeated the Green Bay Packers 45-17 Sunday, advancing to the NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre threw six interceptions in the loss, and the Rams returned three of the interceptions for scores.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Chicago Bears 33-19 to advance to the NFC championship game.
David Akers kicked four field goals while quarterback Donovan McNabb threw for two touchdowns and ran for one more. It was the first time the Bears had seen postseason action since 1994.
Williams upset by Seles in Aussie Open
MELBOURNE — No. 8 seed Monica Seles defeated No. 2 seed Venus Williams in women’s action at the Australian Open, snapping Williams’ 24-match winning streak.
Williams injured her hamstring early in the match and fought the injury the rest of the match. Serena Williams, Venus’ sister, withdrew from the Open before her first match due to an injured ankle.
The 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the semifinal round moved Seles into the semifinal match against No. 3 seed Martina Hingis.
Hingis defeated Adriana Serra Zanetti of Italy 6-2, 6-3 in the other quarterfinal match.
In men’s action, No. 16 seed Thomas Johansson of Sweden overcame Jonas Bjorkman, also of Sweden, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. No. 26 seed Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic trounced Stefan Koubeck of Austria 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in the other quarterfinal game.
Tyson charges Lewis at news conference
NEW YORK — Mike Tyson charged WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis Tuesday at a news conference about the April 6 scheduled fight between the two.
Neither man actually hit the other, but a few people were knocked down, including WBC president Jose Sulaiman.
Tyson walked onto the stage first, and when Lewis was introduced, Tyson rushed him.
When it was over, Tyson threw up his arms in victory at the camera and made an obscene gesture.
Tyson has not yet received a license to fight in Nevada, but his adviser has been working on obtaining it. The Nevada Athletic Commission does not believe that Tyson is mentally ready to fight.
The incident Tuesday might have an effect on whether Tyson will be granted paperwork for a boxing license in Nevada. The commission has scheduled to meet regarding Tyson on Jan. 29.
Tyson last fought for a title in the infamous June 28, 1997, fight at MGM Grand, where he was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear.
January 24, 2002