Former USADA
chief says Armstrong rep made offer
The former chief of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency says a representative of Lance Armstrong’s offered the agency a donation in the range of $200,000 to $250,000 in 2004 and the agency immediately rejected it.
Terry Madden, who led USADA from 2000-07, corroborated a story current CEO Travis Tygart told in an interview earlier this month.
In his interview with Oprah Winfrey on Friday, Armstrong said no one in his camp made such an offer.
“Nobody,” Armstrong said. “Certainly I had no knowledge of that. But I’ve asked around. Did anybody? Not true.”
Madden countered that, saying the Armstrong representative called Tygart — then USADA’s general counsel — who came to Madden’s office with the proposal.
“Then, 10 seconds later, because of our ethics, I told Travis to turn it down,” Madden said. “We called back that representative and gave them our decision immediately.”
Madden said he could not name the Armstrong representative because of a pending federal whistleblower lawsuit against the cyclist.
49ers’ Crabtree questioned in sexual assault case
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree voluntarily met with police in their investigation into an alleged sexual assault in a hotel after the team’s playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers last weekend, his attorney said Saturday.
“Michael fully cooperated with the inspectors and will continue to do so throughout this investigation,” the attorney, Joshua Bentley, said in a brief statement emailed to The Associated Press.
Bentley provided no additional details and had no further comment.
The statement comes after police said they were investigating a sexual assault allegation involving Crabtree in a San Francisco hotel early Sunday. Crabtree hasn’t been detained or arrested, and has agreed to be available for more questions in the future, police said.
The probe is being handled by the department’s special victims unit. When the investigation is done, the findings will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office, which decides if charges should be filed, police said.
Authorities didn’t release any further details.
West rides turnovers to 28-13 win
in Shrine Game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Illinois cornerback Terry Hawthorne had a fumble recovery to set up a touchdown and an interception in the second half to help the West defeat the East 28-13 in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday.
Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein started for the East, but struggled. Trailed by questions about his throwing motion going in, he completed just 5 of 13 passes for 43 yards and an interception.
The West never trailed in the college showcase for NFL hopefuls and was sparked by a defense that had four turnovers, including an interception return for a score by former Kansas State cornerback Nigel Malone.
It also got a strong offensive effort from Texas A&M running back Christine Michael, who rushed for 42 yards and touchdown.
Arizona quarterback Matt Scott had the only passing touchdown of the game, finding Mississippi State receiver Chad Bumphis for a 57-yard score. Scott finished 3-of-4 for 81 yards.
Another West quarterback, Alex Carder (Western Michigan) also had a good passing day for the West, throwing for 95 yards. He did throw a late interception.
Bumphis was named the offensive MVP and Malone took the same honors for the defense.
Hawks’ Williams
has season-ending knee injury
ATLANTA — Lou Williams, the Atlanta Hawks’ third-leading scorer, will miss the remainder of the season with a right knee injury.
The Hawks announced before Saturday night’s game against San Antonio that Williams tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee in Friday night’s game at Brooklyn. The tear was found when Williams was examined on Saturday by Dr. Michael Bernot in Atlanta.
Williams, a guard in his first season with the Hawks, is averaging 14.1 points.
The loss of Williams is a blow to an Atlanta team which has lost seven of nine following a strong start. Williams has joined starters Devin Harris and Jeff Teague to make the backcourt a strength for the team.
By wire sources
