- Publish date:
For the Record
Admitted
On a local radio show that he smokes marijuana in the off-season, Mavericksforward Josh Howard (above). Appearing on Michael Irvin's program hours beforeDallas played New Orleans in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, Howardsaid, "Most of the players in the league use marijuana, and I have and dopartake in smoking weed in the off-season sometimes." At the time of theinterview Howard was averaging 13.5 points in the playoffs, down from 19.9 inthe regular season, but said pot had nothing to do with that. "I'm still inseason," he said. "I'm not smoking nothing." Mavs owner Mark Cubansaid that Howard would be dealt with internally, and he could face punishmentfrom the league as well.
Died
At 87, Cecilia Colledge (right), whose appearance in the figure skatingcompetition at the 1932 Winter Games made her the youngest Winter Olympianever. As an 11-year-old, Colledge finished eighth for Great Britain. Five yearslater she won the world championship and was considered a favorite for the goldat the 1940 Games, but they were canceled because of World War II. (Colledgedrove a civilian ambulance in London during the Blitz.) Colledge—the firstwoman to do a double jump in competition and the inventor of the camel andlayback spins—skated professionally in the U.S. and coached skaters in Bostonfor 25 years.
Died
At age 76, Darrell Garretson, one of the NBA's most recognizable referees.During a career that lasted from 1967 to '94, Garretson called more than 2,000games, and for 17 years he served as the league's chief of officiatingstaff.
Retired
John McDonnell, 69, who, in his 36-year career at Arkansas, was the mostsuccessful track and field coach in U.S. history. A native of County Mayo,Ireland, McDonnell moved to the U.S. as a young man. "I carried a four-leafclover in my pocket all the time," he said. It worked: His Razorbacks won42 national championships and 83 conference titles. McDonnell, who coached 23Olympians, will step down at the end of the season.
Accused
By a New York newspaper of having an affair with an underage woman, RogerClemens. Citing several unnamed sources, Monday's Daily News alleged thatClemens began a romantic relationship with country singer Mindy McCready(below) in the early 1990s, when the pitcher was 28 (and married, with twochildren) and McCready was 15. According to the News, the affair began afterClemens saw McCready singing karaoke in a bar and lasted for at least 10 years.Clemens's lawyer acknowledged that McCready was a family friend but stated,"[Clemens] has never had a sexual relationship with her." Clemens issuing his former trainer Brian McNamee for defamation, and the pitcher's casecould be weakened if the story in the News is true. "When you sue fordefamation, you put your whole reputation in the community at issue,"Richard Emery, one of McNamee's lawyers, told the paper. "Anything is fairgame, including his claim of sanctimonious purity."
Retained
Lawyers, by the parents of two Hawaiian boys who are disputing ownership of ajersey worn by David Beckham. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, at aFebruary Los Angeles Galaxy exhibition game in Hawaii, Beckham handed hisjersey to the nine- and 10-year-olds, who weren't named and are teammates on ayouth soccer team. The kids were unable to decide who should get to keep it. (Agame of rock-paper-scissors failed to settle the matter.) Their parents thengot involved, and after failing to come up with a suitable compromise, bothfamilies hired lawyers and have sent each other letters threatening lawsuits.Said Galaxy G.M. Alexi Lalas, "Even David Beckham isn't worth ruining afriendship that could possibly last a lifetime."
They Said It
JOE GIRARDI
Yankees manager, on the torn foot ligament suffered by reliever BrianBruney:
"The doctor recommended surgery.... From what I understand, if somebody in1793 had it, they amputated."
SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE
A Dallas TV commentator likened the team's trade forPacman Jones to acquiring Osama bin Laden.
PHOTO
ELSA/GETTY IMAGES (GIRARDI)
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BRAD BARKET/GETTY IMAGES (MCCREADY)
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COURTESY OF THE WORLD FIGURE SKATING MUSEUM (COLLEDGE)
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GREG NELSON (HOWARD)
