NFL:
On Monday Night Football, Detroit won against New Orleans 35-27.
Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson has announced he will retire after the season, saying he realized late last month that he couldn't play another year. The 39-year-old Woodson is tied for fifth in NFL history with 65 interceptions and is still playing at a high level. He ranks second in the league with eight takeaways this season, intercepting five passes and recovering three fumbles.
The New York Giants most likely will be without one of their two top offensive weapons when they try to avoid elimination from the NFC East race Sunday night in Minnesota. The NFL has hit wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with a one-game suspension for his conduct in Sunday's loss to Carolina in which he drew three personal foul penalties. Beckham has appealed the punishment in an effort to play against the Vikings. Beckham and Panthers cornerback Josh Norman tangled from the beginning of the Panthers' 38-35 victory. At one point, Beckham delivered a diving helmet-to-helmet hit on Norman while blocking.
Veteran running back Steven Jackson has announced via his Twitter account Monday that he is joining the New England Patriots. Jackson hasn't played this season after spending the last two years with the Falcons.
NBA:
In the NBA, Orlando topped New York 107-99, Brooklyn edged Chicago 105-102, Boston beat Minnesota 113-99, Washington won against Sacramento 113-99, Atlanta defeated Portland 106-97, San Antonio trumped Indiana 106-92, Utah bested Phoenix 110-89, and it was Oklahoma City over the Clippers 100-99.
Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson and Yao Ming are among the first-time candidates on the ballot for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo (IH'-zoh) and former women's star Sheryl Swoopes are also among the candidates announced Monday for the class of 2016. The finalists will be announced on Feb. 12 during the NBA's All-Star weekend.
NHL:
In the NHL, the Islanders beat Anaheim 5-2, Pittsburgh topped Columbus 5-2, Philadelphia edged St. Louis 4-3, Washington skated by Carolina 2-1, Dallas doubled up Minnesota 6-3, Nashville won against Montreal 5-1, Toronto bested Colorado 7-4, and it was Edmonton over Winnipeg 3-1.
The National Hockey League has suspended Boston Bruins forward Max Talbot for two games for interference against New Jersey Devils forward Jiri Tlusty on Sunday. The league says Talbot "delivered a late, violent hit" on Tlusty in the second period of Boston's 2-1 shootout win. Talbot loses more than $19,000 in salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
MLB:
The Red Sox announced Monday that the team will retire Wade Boggs’ No. 26 on May 26. The Hall of Famer’s .338 batting average with the Red Sox is second only to Ted Williams.
NCAA:
Brandon Doughty passed for 461 yards and three touchdowns in leading the 25th-ranked Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to a 45-35 win over South Florida in the Miami Beach Bowl. Anthony Wales rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns, including a 42-yarder with 5:05 left. Western Kentucky trailed by 14 before earning its sixth straight win and ending the season 12-2.
In college men's basketball, Number 10 Providence beat Massachusetts 90-66 last night. Ben Bentil scored a career-high 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Kris Dunn returned to the Friars after missing the previous two games with a stomach virus. The preseason All-America had 14 points and 11 assists in 24 minutes.
In top 25 women’s college basketball, No. 1 UConn beat LSU 86-40.
FIFA:
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini have each been banned for eight years by the ethics committee of soccer's governing body in a stunning removal of the sport's most powerful leaders. The bans stems from a $2 million payment deal that is also the subject of a criminal investigation in Switzerland. Blatter and Platini say they will appeal.
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