North American

Merlin Olsen, NFL Rams Hall of Famer Turned Actor, Is Dead of Cancer at 69 Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman who was a member of the Los Angeles Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” before turning to broadcasting and acting, has died at the age of 69.

St. John's Coach Norm Roberts to Be Fired After 81-100 Mark, NY Post Says Norm Roberts will be fired as basketball coach at St. John’s University, the New York Post said, citing multiple unidentified officials in the school’s athletic department.

Lindsay Vonn Crashes in Giant Slalom on Brink of Third World Cup Title Olympic downhill champion Lindsey Vonn’s quest for a third straight overall World Cup title was hampered by a fall in the giant slalom at the FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Real Madrid's Ronaldo Bet Fails to Prevent Another Champions League Flop Real Madrid isn’t making any progress in Europe’s Champions League even after a record $120 million outlay on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney Upstages Beckham, Ronaldo as Manchester United Advances in Europe Wayne Rooney dominated David Beckham’s return to Old Trafford by scoring twice in a 4-0 rout of AC Milan that propelled Manchester United into the Champions League soccer quarterfinals.

Justine Henin Wins Her Opening Match at Indian Wells Tennis Tournament Justine Henin won her opening match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, defeating Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-2.

Backup Tight End Ben Hartsock, 7-Year Veteran, Re-Signs With New York Jets Backup tight end Ben Hartsock, who scored the first touchdown of his seven-year NFL career last season, has re-signed with the New York Jets.

Robert Morris Beats Quinnipiac to Earn 2nd Straight NCAA Tournament Berth Robert Morris University secured a second straight spot in college basketball’s National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with a 52-50 win over Quinnipiac University.

Man Wearing Mask Might Save an Unloved Sport: Commentary by Scott Soshnick Here’s a question you’ve probably heard before: What, if anything, can make Americans care about hockey more than once every four years?