Down and Wide Outs

NBA referee Bernie Fryer who recently resigned says many of his fellow refs buy lottery tickets in the hopes they can leave their job. Psychologists have a name for this condition, it’s called “being human”.

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a 6 year contract worth $64 million. Asked if he was satisfied Johnson said “no question”. Brian Burke of the Anaheim Ducks later called officials with the Lions and blamed the high salary on Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe.

Detroit Tigers infielder Neifi Perez was suspended for 80 games Friday after testing positive for a third time for a banned stimulant. A spokesperson for Neifi says he is wrestling with some problems and was in a hurry to get on with his life.

Florida Gaters Ronnie Wilson has pleaded no contest to battery and discharging a firearm, Texas Longhorns Andre Jones was arrested and booked into jail on an aggravated robbery charge and former Northern Colorado player Mitch Cozad is in court charged with attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault. With all these incidents coming so close to training camp College Football officials are concerned the players may not be in game shape for opening day.

USC has been named the favorite for the national football championship in a survey conducted by former USC players from across America. In second place was last year’s USC team.

James Harney a former State Trooper was sentenced to 5 years in prison for setting up an illegal betting ring. The sentence was to be expected as his own site had him at 3:5 to get 3:5. Under terms of a plea bargain he will be eligible to referee prison baskeball games in about a year.

Former NHL player Rick Tocchet who also faces charges is expected to submit the Phoenix Coyotes-Detroit Red Wings defense and plead no-contest.

NiShea Dukes the estranged wife of Tampa Bay Devil Rays picture Elijah Duke, called the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to complain that he and an unidentified woman made harassing phone calls to her in contravention of a restraining order. Asked for his response Elijah said he was on “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” and she was his lifeline.

Nikolay Davydenko is under suspicion after it was revealed $7 million in bets was placed on his match with Martin Vassallo Arguello which is 10 times the usual amount, and most of the money was on Arguello to win, which he did after Davydenko withdrew citing an injury. Most damaging was the fact all of the money was placed on an obscure bet that Davydenko would retire with a sprained foot, in the 3rd set while down 2-1. The odds of this happening are so high the computer used to determine odds quit as well.

Two Cuban boxers who disappeared during last month's Pan American Games were found at a resort near Rio, where police say they partied and ran up an exorbitant tab. Now, a police inspector says, they want to go back to Cuba saying “nothing goes better after a big meal than a good cigar”.

Hamburger company Wendy’s say they will return with their “Kick for a Million” promotion with the CFL. The contest was in doubt earlier when a Wendy’s official said negotiations with the league had turned “frosty”.

I’m not sure what has more sugar in it a Wendy’s frosty or watching the CFL Halftime Show. The boys seem so sweet on each other they might want to check their blood sugar.