In brief

Armstrong issues unretirement tease

By wire services
Published September 7, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas - After his seventh Tour de France victory this summer, cyclist Lance Armstrong stepped off the winner's podium in Paris and into retirement, declaring, "I'm finished."

Six weeks later, he's talking about a comeback.

Recently engaged to rocker girlfriend Sheryl Crow, Armstrong issued a statement Tuesday confirming that he's contemplating a return to competitive cycling, in part because he knows how much it would rankle French media who believe his record of seven straight Tour wins is tainted by drug use.

"While I'm absolutely enjoying my time as a retired athlete with Sheryl and the kids, the recent smear campaign out of France has awoken my competitive side," Armstrong said. "I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances, but I will no longer rule it out."

Tennessee Titans' quarterback Steve McNair hoped to fill six semitrailer trucks with supplies for victims of Hurricane Katrina in his home state of Mississippi, as well as Louisiana and Alabama.

Turns out, this time the Tennessee quarterback could have aimed much higher.

From beat-up pickup trucks to luxury cars, residents filed through a parking lot at the Titans' stadium and filled the six trailers midway through the 12-hour drive, forcing organizers to call in at least eight more.

Elsewhere:

TNT analyst Kenny Smith called a news conference for today in Houston to announce a charity basketball game Sunday in Houston featuring 30 NBA players, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal. The game, expected to raise more than $1-million, will start at 5 p.m. It will air on TNT at 11 p.m.

The NBA players' association has pledged to spend at least $2.5-million on relief efforts, matching the contributions it made to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Tulane athletic teams will be based this fall at five universities in Texas and Louisiana. The teams will stay together and play under the Tulane banner. Tulane's football team, which has been working out at SMU in Dallas, is moving later this week to Louisiana Tech in Ruston, about 230 miles north of New Orleans. Other relocations: Texas A&M (men's basketball, volleyball, swimming, diving, women's soccer); Texas Tech (women's basketball, baseball); Rice (tennis) and SMU (golf).

Darlington Raceway will hold a "Laps for Relief" fundraiser Sept. 17. Those donating will be allowed to drive five paced laps at the track in their personal vehicles.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder pledged $500,000 in support. A donation drive will include collection points for fan contributions at each FedEx Field entrance for all this season's home games.

The New England Patriots set up a relief fund to accept donations on the their Web site.

The NCAA urged schools to donate money generated from Midnight Madness and exhibition games to relief efforts.

The Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars contributed $25,000 to the Dallas Independent School District to fund uniforms for children displaced to the area.

WORLD CUP BASEBALL: Lastings Milledge hit a two home runs and Brant Ust drove in four runs with a homer and a two-run single in the United States' 11-1 victory over Spain in Amsterdam. The U.S. (3-0) leads Group B, just ahead of Nicaragua (2-0), which beat the Czech Republic 1-0 on Anibal Vega's solo homer. In Group A, Cuba beat Sweden 15-0 for its fourth victory The Netherlands also improved to 4-0 with a 7-0 victory over Brazil. The top four teams in each group advance to the Sept. 14 quarterfinals.

GARCIA FINED: The PGA European Tour has fined golfer Sergio Garcia for kicking an advertising board during the European Masters.

[Last modified September 7, 2005, 01:02:19]