He was vintage wine. … Opened the game by completing 6 of 7 passes for 90 yards and guiding his crew to the end zone and a quick, 7-0 lead. Except this wasn’t the Green Bay Packers’ reigning Super Bowl MVP, Aaron Rodgers. This was a rookie, for crying out loud, a man with just one NFL regular-season start under his belt. It was Cam Newton, a quarterback who struggled mightily in the preseason but emerged in Game 1 of the regular season a seasoned veteran, or so it seemed. Falling behind early was not the script for the world champions. But after a fumble on the ensuing kickoff by another... more.

Pittsburgh and Syracuse, once flagship programs of the Big East, have been accepted as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, extending the league's current membership to 14 schools, the ACC announced on Sunday morning. The exact date for the move remains uncertain, as Big East bylaws require schools to pay a $5 million exit fee and give 27 months notice before leaving. ACC commissioner John Swofford said the league "fully respects" the bylaws of the Big East, but Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg said the Big East provides options for withdrawal. "I would think that in the weeks ahead everyone will be looking at the ... more.

The NBA fined Michael Jordan $100,000 for public comments he made last month about the lockout and one of the league's players, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. In an Aug. 19 interview with The Herald Sun, a newspaper in Australia, the Charlotte Bobcats owner spoke extensively about the need for revenue sharing and mentioned Milwaukee Bucks' Australian center Andrew Bogut. That violated the league's policy that bars team owners and employees from discussing the lockout or any players during the work stoppage. The NBA sent out a league-wide memo just before the lockout began on July 1 stating that anyone who... more.

A piece of music used in the LeBron James documentary More than A Game was not authorized by the songwriter, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting on its website. "We Ready" was composed by Mason Hall, who filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Georgia federal court. Hall is suing Lionsgate, which released the documentary about James' rise during his high school days in Ohio. The Hollywood Reporter said in its report that the lawsuit may or may not include James' label at Interscope Records, Interscope Lebron LLC. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Hall may have to prove that the song is really his. Hall said... more.

Lance Briggs has made a stand for a new contract, and now he's stepping out knowing he could face repercussions from the NFL for honoring the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The Chicago Bears linebacker expects to be fined after Sunday’s season opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field, but in his mind, it’s for a good reason. Briggs plans to violate the NFL’s uniform policy by wearing cleats and gloves designed by Reebok (shown here) that commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The red, white and blue gloves and cleats are not approved for use as part of the Bears' uniform. “So... more.

Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton says when he picked up the phone, he was surprised to hear Michael Vick on the other end. He says the Philadelphia quarterback gave him advice last week on what he thought Newton needs to do. Newton, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, says of Vick that ''whatever he says right now is golden.'' He says Vick has been in this situation and that he idolizes the former Virginia Tech star who was the top pick in the 2001 draft. Vick wasn't thrown into the fire as a rookie the way Newton will be Sunday, when Carolina opens against the Arizona Cardinals, but he has seen — and overcome — his... more.