For the Record

Died

At age 67 in a Philadelphia hospice, former middleweight contender Bennie Briscoe. "The meanest man I ever saw in a boxing ring," in the words of HBO analyst Harold Lederman, Briscoe (above) amassed a record of 66-24-5 with 53 knockouts in a 21-year career. In 1972 Briscoe, though recovering from hepatitis, took on middleweight champion Carlos Monzon in Monzon's native Buenos Aires. Briscoe rocked the champ in the ninth round, but Monzon desperately hung on and survived to win a decision. "We were one punch away from the world championship," said Briscoe's trainer, Quinzell McCall. Though he would never win a title, Bad Bennie, as Briscoe was known, retired with a reputation as one of the best 160-pounders of his era and as the embodiment of the relentless, power-punching "Philadelphia fighter."

Charged

With possession of an illegal firearm and threatening to kill his wife in his native Kenya, Olympic gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru. The 24-year-old distance runner, who broke the Olympic record in the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Games with a time of 2:06:32 and who went on to win the London and Chicago marathons, is alleged to have threatened his wife, Tereza Njeri, during an argument at their home in Nyahururu on Dec. 29. Prosecutors also claim that an intoxicated Wanjiru threatened the life of his housemaid and that he struck his security guard with the butt of an AK-47 assault rifle in the midst of the altercation. Wanjiru, who denied the charges a day later and was released on bail, is expected to go to court in March. (He says he and his wife have since reconciled.) The youngest Olympic marathon champion since 1932, Wanjiru is a favorite to defend his gold medal in 2012.

Fired

In the wake of a domestic violence charge in Indiana, newly hired Pittsburgh football coach Mike Haywood. The 46-year-old Haywood, who on Dec. 16 was lured from the same job at Miami (Ohio) to lead the Panthers, was arrested and charged with felony domestic battery in the presence of a minor following an apparent altercation over a custody issue with the mother of his infant son. After posting $1,000 bond, Haywood denied the allegations. That, however, did not stop Pittsburgh from cutting ties. "Moving forward with Mr. Haywood as our head coach is not possible under the existing circumstances," said chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. Pitt immediately reopened its search to replace Dave Wannstedt, who resigned last month after a 7--5 season.

Fined

By the NFL for failing to cooperate with a league inquiry, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, who was being investigated for claims that he sent lewd pictures of himself to former Jets employee Jenn Sterger in 2008, when both were with the team. The $50,000 fine, just 1/320 of Favre's $16 million 2010 salary, was the only disciplinary action to come out of a three-month look into the matter. The NFL ruled that it could not conclude that Favre violated league policies, but commissioner Roger Goodell also rebuked the 20-year veteran for his lack of candor. On Sunday—one day before two female massage therapists filed suit against him and the Jets, claiming sexual harassment—Favre, 41, announced that he would finally retire after several seasons of indecision. "Throughout this year the comment has been made that we'll wait and see in August or September," he said. "But it's time."

Diagnosed

With esophageal cancer, 74-year-old Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew. The Senators and Twins legend, who hit 573 home runs over 22 major league seasons, is being treated at a Scottsdale, Ariz., branch of the Mayo Clinic. An 11-time All-Star who led the league in homers six times, Killebrew (above) finished his career with the Royals in 1975 ranked fifth on the alltime homers list. (He's now No. 11.) Nicknamed Killer, he won the AL MVP in 1969 after leading the league with 49 home runs, 140 RBIs and 145 walks. "I have begun preparing for what is perhaps the most difficult battle of my life," Killebrew said last Thursday. "While my condition is very serious," he added, "I anticipate a full recovery."

Fired

By the Browns following consecutive 5--11 seasons, coach Eric Mangini. After dropping the last four games of the season, including a 41--9 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, Cleveland parted ways on Monday with the 39-year-old coach, who had two years left on his contract. Mangini was one of several coaching casualties at season's end. With a dismal 2--14 record, the Panthers announced last week that they would not renew the contract of John Fox, one of only three men to have led the franchise in its 16 seasons. San Francisco's Mike Singletary was sacked after a Week 16 loss to the Rams. And rumors circulated on Monday that Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis and Oakland's Tom Cable would not return next season. Meanwhile two midseason replacements—Leslie Frazier in Minnesota and Jason Garrett in Dallas—accepted full-time jobs with their teams. Also retained was Tom Coughlin, whose Giants went 10--6 this season but missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Go Figure

400

Career victories for Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood, who with 46 saves in a Dec. 27 win over Colorado became the 10th NHL goaltender to reach that milestone.

21

Consecutive double doubles for Clippers rookie Blake Griffin, who reached the mark with 31 points and 15 rebounds in L.A.'s Jan. 2 loss to the Hawks, giving him the longest such streak by an NBA rookie in 40 years.

7

Consecutive games played by the Patriots without a turnover, an NFL record, before running back Danny Woodhead fumbled against the Dolphins on Sunday.

6.38

Yards per carry by the Chiefs' Jamaal Charles in 2010, second all time behind Jim Brown's 6.4 yards per carry in 1963—a difference of less than three quarters of an inch per carry.

4

Wins by the Lions in the last four weeks of the NFL season, matching Detroit's total over the previous 45 games.

$93,942,815

Total revenue for the Texas football program in 2009--10, according to Department of Education figures, the most for any school. The Longhorns also led the nation in total profit, with $68,830,484.

THEY SAID IT

Arian Foster

Undrafted Texans running back, on whether he would reward his linemen with gifts after he won the NFL rushing crown:

"They all make more money than me. A lot more. I'll figure something out."

PHOTO

KEYSTONE/GETTY IMAGES (BRISCOE)

PHOTO

FRED KAPLAN (KILLEBREW)

PHOTO

JOHN BIEVER (FOSTER)