David Meggett charged with rape, denied bond

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3832238

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Several months after he was charged with raping a South Carolina woman, former NFL running back David Meggett was in jail Wednesday on allegations of another sexual assault.

Meggett, 42, was arrested and charged with raping a 21-year-old woman in her North Charleston home, authorities said.

The woman told police she woke up at 1 a.m. Tuesday and found a man she knew as "Mike" sitting on her bed, according to an incident report. The man demanded that she repay $200 she owed him and raped her when she said she didn't have the money, police said.

Afterward, the man told her he was sorry and that she didn't have to repay him. The woman drove herself to the hospital, where Meggett later met her and was arrested, according to police records.

Meggett, who is listed as living in North Charleston, had been out on bond in connection with another sexual assault charge.

In September, he was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct after a 17-year-old North Charleston woman told authorities she was raped by a man she knew as "Michael," according to police records.

Both South Carolina arrests occurred while Meggett was serving out two years' probation for a 2006 sexual battery charge in North Carolina. Authorities there allowed the Charleston native to serve his sentence in South Carolina and have been notified about both of Meggett's recent arrests, said Pete O'Boyle, spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

North Carolina probation officials did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday.

The running back played for the New York Giants, the New York Jets and New England during his 10-year NFL career.

He was denied bond Tuesday night on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree burglary, said Spencer Pryor, spokesman for the North Charleston police. He was being held Wednesday in the Charleston County jail, and it was unclear if he had an attorney.

Meggett has been acquitted on sex-related charges in the past. In 1990, while he was with the Giants, Meggett was found not guilty of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer in Baltimore. Eight years later, he was charged with assaulting a woman in a Toronto hotel room after she refused to continue having sex with him, but that charge was dropped.

The Patriots released Meggett in 1998 after the Toronto charge.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

T-Mobile drops Sir Charles Barkely

http://blogs.usatoday.com/gameon/2009/01/t-mobile-decide.html

Dwyane Wade no longer needs to keep his cell phone on vibrate. Charles Barkley won't be calling any time soon.

T-Mobile disconnected Barkley's "Fave 5" commercials with a statement saying that "given the recent developments" Sir Charles' spots no longer will air.

Barkley was charged with DUI in Arizona after a Dec. 31 arrest and is alleged to have had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit. Also, according to the police report, Barkley shared a little too much personal information, saying he was on the way to a 1:30 a.m. tryst with a woman he had just picked up.

If T-Mobile had a 900-number campaign working, maybe Barkley would still have a job. As it is, a company spokesman said of Barkley's future that, "As he works through his personal matters, we will evaluate where to go from here."

AdAge.com also notes Barkley is on leave from his TNT commentary gig and quotes Turner Sports president David Levy saying: "This is an important time for Charles as he deals with the legal and personal issues that confront him. Charles is a valued part of the Turner Sports organization, and we are concerned for his well-being."

Posted by Tom Weir at 09:56 AM/ET, January 14, 2009 in NBA | Permalink

Jodie Meeks scores 54 - breaks Dan Issel 39 year old record

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/jherwitt/2009/01/14/Kentuckys_Meeks_has_our_attention_now

For as good as his freshman and sophomore years were at Davidson, Stephen Curry didn't hit center stage until last March when he helped the Wildcats score upsets over Gonzaga, Georgetown and Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament.

But with Curry’s dazzling postseason performance last year and the junior now leading the nation in scoring, the son of former NBA veteran Dell Curry is no longer a secret by any means — and neither will his brother, Seth, be soon enough at Liberty.

That said, if Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks continues to do anything like he did in Tuesday night’s win on SEC rival Tennessee’s home floor, then the junior guard has be to considered along side Curry and Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin for Player of the Year honors.

Because for those of you who didn’t watch the Wildcats’ victory at Thompson-Boling Arena, you missed something truly special go down.

Meeks, in fact, did what hadn’t been done at Kentucky in 39 years, breaking Dan Issel’s school record for points scored in a game with 54 against the Volunteers, 30 of which came from beyond the arc.

"It means a lot to be in the same sentence as Dan Issel. It's mind-boggling," he admitted afterward. "I was just out there playing to win."

Meeks might have been playing to win, but he certainly knows how to put the ball in the hoop.

The 6-foot-4 native of Norcross, Ga., currently ranks fourth in the nation in scoring and leads the SEC, while his previous high of 46 came not that long ago against Appalachian State on Dec. 20.

"I have never seen anything like it," Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie remarked about Meek's game Tuesday night in Knoxville. "Jodie Meeks had 46 against Appalachian State and they are a nice team, but not near a team the quality of Tennessee and on the home court."

Appalachian State also doesn’t have that suffocating defensive pressure that Bruce Pearl’s teams have been known so well for the past few seasons.

But nothing that the Vols threw at Meeks could slow him down, as he answered every Tennessee run with a run of his own and knocked down all 14 of his free throw attempts to stave off any hope of a comeback from the home team.

"Defensively we tried to guard him as a team," Pearl explained. "We didn't have any one guy on him, but none of our guards could guard him."

Not only could Pearl’s guards not lock down Meeks, but they also couldn’t shoot the ball from the perimeter, making just 37.9 percent of their field goals and only 6-of-23 attempts from three.

"Tonight we were not competitive," the Tennessee coach maintained.

The same goes for the SEC, which could have no teams ranked in the AP Top 25 next week and is clearly the weakest BCS conference in college basketball this season.

That’s bad news for a league that sent six teams to the Big Dance last March, thanks in part to Georgia’s magical run in the SEC Tournament.

So while Meek’s performance Tuesday might not have been as magical as the Bulldogs’ postseason run a year ago, it’s a night that he and his teammates will never forget.

And in the end, it's a night that we could possibly be pointing back to as the one that put Meeks in the national spotlight and Kentucky back on the NCAA tournament track.

To check out my latest power rankings, click here

NBA's Eddy Curry in "Gay Lawsuit"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479816,00.html

Knick center Eddy Curry was slapped with a shocking sexual-harassment suit yesterday by his former driver, who claims the 6-foot-11 hoopster tried to solicit gay sex from him.

Stunning court papers charge that Curry, a married father of several kids, repeatedly approached chauffeur David Kuchinsky “in the nude,” saying, “Look at me, Dave, look” and, “Come and touch it, Dave.”

Curry, 26, also made Kuchinsky perform “humiliating tasks outside the scope of his employment, such as cleaning up and removing dirty towels [into which Curry had ejaculated] so that his wife would not see them,” the Manhattan federal court suit says.

Kuchinsky, 36, who is straight and Jewish, also alleges racism, saying Curry hurled slurs at him, including “f- - - ing Jew,” “cracker,” “white slave,” “white devil” and “grandmaster of the KKK.”

Curry, a former Chicago Bull, said last night he was “shocked” at the allegations. “It’s false, and everyone who knows me knows I’m not a racist,” he said after the Knicks beat the Hornets in New Orleans. “I’ve never made a comment like that, playing, or nothing. . . . That’s incredible, man.”

Click to NYPost.com for the full report.

Rice and Henderson head to Baseball Hall of Fame

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090113&content_id=3742458&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

NEW YORK — It had been 20 years since the Baseball Hall of Fame had selected a new left fielder to join the greatest team ever assembled. The Class of 2009 will unquestionably supply that all-time squad with two of the best.

With seven months to work on speeches before the official induction ceremony, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice joined the Hall from two different backgrounds — Henderson, an overwhelming first-ballot inductee and Rice, making it in his 15th and final try on the ballot.

One played for a single club as a lethal middle-of-the-order power threat, while the other journeyed through nine uniforms as the game’s quintessential leadoff hitter. But they had one thing in common — left field, a position Cooperstown had not called upon since Carl Yastrzemski in 1989.

“I think you’re probably looking at two players that could have played at any time,” Rice said. “We were just hard-nosed, down-to-earth ballplayers.”

Both stated their case for entry with magnificent credentials. Rice, an eight-time All-Star, logged 382 home runs, 2,452 hits and 1,451 RBIs in 16 seasons with the Red Sox. And Henderson touched home plate more than any other Major League player, holding all-time records with 2,295 runs scored and 1,406 stolen bases.

“I played the game because I loved the game,” Henderson said at Tuesday’s news conference. “I never knew that this day would come and I would be in the class of the greatest players that ever played the game. I tried to play the game as long as I can and give something back.”

They sat side by side in a ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on New York’s Park Avenue, grinning and slapping each other on the back, reveling in their respective achievements. Henderson’s eyes darted back and forth, treating the crowd as he would a timid rookie reliever, and Rice simply showcased a tight smile of satisfaction.

Henderson will enter Cooperstown with the logo of the Oakland A’s on his cap, Rice having no option but to wear the “B” for Boston. But on this afternoon, they wore the vintage creme of the Hall of Fame — Rice, proudly covering an argyle sweater, and Henderson sporting a snug turtleneck, the same as he might wear if called upon for a ballgame on a chilly afternoon.

Rice continued the legacy of dominant left fielders at Fenway Park, succeeding Ted Williams and Yastrzemski, both of whom had long since passed through the Hall’s doors. Recalling their spring conversations, Rice referred to the pair of old-timers’ personalities as “grease and fire,” but later mentioned his pride in joining them.



“I think when you talk about my legacy, you have to look at the two guys before me,” Rice said. “You have to look at Williams and Yaz, and then I’m the third one. You’re talking about three guys that played their entire careers with one ballclub. That’s the legacy that I’m looking at.”

“Jim was a threat,” Henderson said. “He was a guy that when you came into Fenway and played against Boston, you always said, ‘Do not let Jim beat you.’ … Every time we came to play Jim, he was the man and we did not want to pitch to him.”

Some voters held a career at Fenway Park as evidence that Rice’s offensive numbers may have been lesser than contemporaries of his era. It was a criticism the slugger sniffed at, saying he was fortunate to drive the ball to all fields with power.

“The Monster gave me some, but it took a lot away,” Rice said. “I was more of a right-field hitter. The wall was good for left-handed hitters. I had to go out there and really learn to play the wall. I got enjoyment not hitting at Fenway Park, but holding guys to singles.”

One such competitor was Henderson, to whom Rice gleefully recalled cocking a baseball in his right hand, daring the speedster to try to advance to second base. Henderson would retreat to the bag, content with a single, though it would often not remain that way for long.

Tim Tebow to pass on the NFL

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/sports/ncaafootball/12tebow.html?ref=ncaafootball

When Tim Tebow and his family sat down with Florida Coach Urban Meyer on Saturday to talk about the possibility of his entering the N.F.L. draft, the chat did not center on bonus money or his draft position.

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Florida Coach Urban Meyer, right, had reason to smile after Tim Tebow announced he was not entering the N.F.L. draft.



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Meyer said that the Tebows relished Tim’s platform as the most recognizable player in college football. Meyer said they discussed how the verse that Tebow wrote on his eye black — John 3:16 — for the Bowl Championship Series title game last week became the most searched item on Google.

So Tebow’s announcement on Sunday that he is returning to Florida for his senior year means more than assuring that the Gators, who could return 19 of 22 starters, will be ranked No. 1 next season. Tebow will continue his unusual role of a college athlete who transcends his sport.

“I think it will be out of control,” Meyer said of Tebow’s returning for his senior year. “I don’t know if I’d put him with Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, but he’s as visible as any college athlete has ever been.”

Along with helping Florida to two national titles and becoming the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, Tebow has carved an equally impressive niche off the field with his missionary and charity work. Meyer said that Tebow’s decision to return to Florida dovetailed with the power to spread his message off the field.

“His whole purpose of playing football and being Tim Tebow is to use it as a platform to spread his faith,” Meyer said in a telephone interview Sunday night.

Meyer said that Tebow talked on the telephone with New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick before making his decision. Scouts and analysts have diverse opinions about Tebow as a pro prospect, ranging from his being a first-round pick to his having to convert to fullback.

“What about H-back?” Tebow joked Thursday, the night Florida won the national title.

Tebow made his announcement Sunday to a crowd of 40,000 gathered to celebrate Florida’s national title. He started to walk off the stage before returning to grab the microphone.

“By the way,” Tebow told the crowd, “let’s do it again.”

The Gators will begin next season not only with the pressure of being heavy favorites to win back-to-back national titles, but they also project as one of the best teams in modern college football history.

Tebow should have a stout cast around him; the only players seriously considering early entry to the N.F.L. are receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Brandon Spikes. The deadline is Thursday. Regardless of their decisions, Tebow’s return will bring stability at quarterback.

“It means that we’re a very good team coming back,” Meyer said.

UNC loses second straight ACC game

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3827187&name=katz_andy

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — North Carolina isn’t in trouble — yet.

Losing to Boston College at home was unexpected. Falling to Wake wasn’t. But when it’s added on to the BC loss, it makes the Tar Heels’ task of winning the ACC a bit more daunting.

The 0-2 hole isn’t insurmountable, considering that Duke hasn’t played Wake Forest or North Carolina yet, and it plays them both twice. Clemson hasn’t played Duke, Wake or Carolina, yet, either.

There are still plenty of losses to pass around. Still, being 0-2 in the ACC brought out some raw emotional responses Sunday night.

“I’m stunned,” Carolina junior guard Ty Lawson said. “I’m competitive. I love to win and it hurts right now, losing to BC and losing to Wake. We’ve got a lot left to play, but we’ve got to change something.”

“It’s shocking honestly,” Carolina senior forward Tyler Hansbrough said. “We’re a veteran team. We have to bounce back, stop the careless mistakes and make shots we usually make.”

Lawson said the Tar Heels didn’t set screens for each other. They forced too many shot, and they didn’t defend as well as they could have in the 92-89 loss to Wake Forest on Sunday.

Hansbrough and fellow forward Deon Thompson were a combined 6 of 25 from the field.

If those had been the numbers known to Hansbrough prior to the game, did he think the Tar Heels could win Sunday? “No I don’t think so,” Hansbrough said. “We have to play better. That’s on us to get better shots and get better looks.”

Carolina junior guard Wayne Ellington didn’t get into his offensive flow until late in the game when there was a sense of urgency for the Tar Heels.

Why? “We sometimes go out there and we just expect to win, instead of realizing that nobody is going to roll over for us,” Ellington said. “We’ve got the target on our back. We’ve got to be a little bit hungry. We’ve got to want it more and take it. We can’t think someone is going to give it to us.”

Ellington said toughness was an issue Sunday night, too. The 0-2 start left him struggling for answers, too. “I’m stunned,” said Ellington, offering up a similar refrain. “But I’d rather it be now than in March. It’s a long season, and we’ve got to be hungry and expect a fight from the beginning.”

• North Carolina senior forward Marcus Ginyard sat out his second straight game since coming back for limited minutes (he played in three games) from an October stress fracture in his left foot. Ginyard said he’s not sure when he’s coming back this time and couldn’t say whether it’s going to be a week or weeks. Ginyard’s defensive prowess on the perimeter and leadership on the court is a huge lift for this team.

• Hard to believe this is the same Carolina team that absolutely embarrassed Michigan State by 35 in Detroit on Dec. 3. But the Spartans are hardly the same squad, either. Carolina still had a shot, despite not playing its best, to beat Wake in the final few possessions. So, the Tar Heels are hardly that far away from resuming their run.

• Wake Forest is one of the classiest institutions in the nation. Credit the Demon Deacons for acknowledging Mugsy Bogues in the crowd — and more importantly — for signaling out former coach Dave Odom, who was in attendance as an announcer for the ACC ISP radio network.

• It was interesting to see how the Wake Forest security detail handled the oncoming rush of students onto the floor. I was next to them and each security officer made sure they had a specific North Carolina player to protect going off the court. They were well organized and carried out their No. 1 priority: safety for the players and coaches of the opposing team during a crush of fans streaming onto the court.

• Maybe I’ll be wrong, but pity Virginia. The Cavaliers are next up for North Carolina Thursday.

• Very impressive win by UCLA at USC Sunday night. Senior point guard Darren Collison had 18 points and six assists. The Bruins have now swept the first three road games of the Pac-10 schedule (at the Oregon schools and SC). Is there any doubt that the Bruins own the Pac-10? By the way, I don’t understand why the UCLA-USC game was put on late night, Sunday. That matchup has to be featured more.

• I didn’t give up on Alabama. The Tide opened up the SEC slate with a home win over LSU by six.

• Purdue was facing a must win on Sunday, and it beat Wisconsin at home to avoid an 0-3 Big Ten start.

Tony Dungy quits

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9067132/Sources:-Colts-coach-Dungy-is-stepping-down

Tony Dungy is stepping down as head coach of the Colts — at least that’s what he’s telling those inside the team headquarters, sources told FOXSports.com.
While the team has scheduled a 5 p.m. press conference, Dungy is walking around the team’s complex saying goodbye to players and team employees and informing them that the transition should be a smooth one for new coach Jim Caldwell.

According to one source, Dungy explained that he has talked it over with his family and they believed this was the proper time to step down, while the Colts’ nucleus was still intact.

Dungy is perhaps the most respected head coach among peers and players of this era. He won a Super Bowl two seasons ago and at that time many thought he would step down. Again last year it was predicted by some he would step down, but he decided instead to pick his predecessor and stay on for one more year.

Dungy’s Indianapolis tenure will finish after seven seasons with a record of 92-33, and a postseason berth in all seven years with the club.