Beijing Olympic officials have trimmed what was to be the first international Paralympic torch relay that routed through future Olympic venues (Vancouver, London, etc.) and around the world to Beijing into a few whistle stops through well-protected sites in China. (Thanks to RINGS for the heads-up.)

You might think this has to do with all […]

When Croatia returns to Euro 2008 action on Thursday, one member of the Croatian squad wants to prove he has the heart to play - even if it’s with a borrowed kidney.

The ASSOCIATED PRESS kicks up the story of Ivan Klasnic, who hopes to become the first-ever kidney transplant recipient to hit the pitch in […]

Man, we always hated those cool athlete kids in grade school that starred in all the sports. They were the big hitters and the quarterbacks and the soccer stars (usually overlapping) and they got all the attention and everyone thought they were so cool. They totally weren’t. That’s why we totally don’t […]

Tight end/special teamer Kevin Everett, who suffered from (and recovered from) a horrific, life-threatening spinal injury early last season, was waived by the Buffalo Bills yesterday.

That’s not quite as bad as it sounds.

• BUGS AND CRANKS finds the minor-league baseball card of former Carolina Panthers QB Chris Weinke.

• DEADSPIN shows us the best belt buckle at the Masters this year.
• WITH LEATHER tels us about a blind golfer’s hole in one.
• THE SPORTS ECONOMIST notes the lack of development around St. Louis’ new ballpark.

The NBA signed the first legally deaf player in its history Thursday.

Lance Allred of the NBDL’s Idaho Stampede signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, mainly as backup for their injury-plagued front court. Allred’s ascendancy to basketball’s biggest stage was rockier than most.

The UK’s EAST ANGLIAN newspaper provides the gruesome details of one of the most insane soccer injuries we’ve ever heard of. A 14-year-old boy was “impaled” after colliding with the soccer goal post.

Now that’s going to leave a mark.

• SPORTS IN YOUR FACE is flummoxed as to how the Spurs can only score 5 points in the 1st quarter, yet still win Monday night.

Answer: It’s easy when you’re playing against the Hawks.
• The TUCSON CITIZEN grounds out news that Ozzie Guillen would appreciate it if some of the bigger names in Arizona spring […]

Things have gone from great to bad to worse to, “Hey, what’s that coming down onto my head? I know it’s not raining,” for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a span of about two weeks. He’s been taken through the wringer on Spygate. And now this: Accusations that he reneged on promises to help Tommy […]

SICK BULL RIDER TAKING VIRAL MENINGITIS BY THE HORNS: A professional bull rider isn’t going to let a little thing like viral meningitis stop him from competing:

The LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL grabs the tale of Justin McBride, an 8-year veteran rider who’s already amassed $3 million in rodeo winnings.McBride is getting ready for this week’s […]