Briefs | Don Imus: "sarcastic point" about blacks misunderstood

NFL

Imus tried to make "sarcastic point": Don Imus said Tuesday morning on his radio show that he was trying to "make a sarcastic point" with his latest on-air remarks about race, but that they had been misunderstood.

Imus resurrected his radio career six months ago with a pledge to mend the wounds caused by a racist and sexist comment he made about a women's basketball team.

On Tuesday he said he was following the spirit of that promise by calling attention to the unfair treatment of blacks — in this case the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones.

"What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason," Imus said Tuesday. "I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once."

He called the flurry of criticism surrounding the comments "ridiculous."

Arrest made in Walker assault: One man was arrested and a second was sought in a robbery and beating that left Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker unconscious on a side street after a long night of partying at Las Vegas nightclubs.

Police said Arfat Fadel, of Las Vegas, was accused of multiple felonies, including kidnapping, robbery, battery and conspiracy in a June 16 robbery. Lt. Clinton Nichols said Walker lost about $3,000 in cash and $100,000 worth of jewelry in the robbery.

NHL

Melrose returns to coaching: When the Tampa Bay Lightning called, Barry Melrose was eager to listen.

"They approached me. I couldn't wait to say yes," Melrose said after the Lightning's new owners made the league's worst-kept secret official: the former Los Angeles Kings coach was the choice to replace John Tortorella.

Known for his no-nonsense approach and ability to develop young players, Melrose also coached the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-89 season had a record of 33-35-4.

Anaheim owner suspended: Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL.

The decision by commissioner Gary Bettman comes a day after Samueli pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Toronto will buy out Tucker's contract: The Toronto Maple Leafs plan to buyout forward Darcy Tucker.

Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher informed Tucker of the decision. The player's agent, Carlos Sosa, told The Canadian Press the team would make the move official today, and Tucker would be an unrestricted free agent 24 hours later.

"We've been ready for this for a while. It is a business," Sosa said.

Tucker, a 12-year veteran, has three years left on his contract and will be owed two-thirds of it — or $6 million — paid back over a six-year term by the Leafs

Horse racing

Photo shows Big Brown's dislodged shoe, nail: Michael Iavarone believes he's finally found hard evidence, an exposed nail and a dislodged shoe, to explain why Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown ran so poorly June 7 in the Belmont Stakes.

A photograph by freelancer Bob Mayberger posted on bloodhorse.comshows a nail sticking straight up on Big Brown's right hind hoof. Iavarone, the co-president of IEAH Stables, said the shoe was hit by another horse's hoof "two or three" strides into the race. He said the Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner ran 1 ¼ miles before being eased with "a dislodged shoe and the nail sticking out."

College football

Alabama releases linebacker Johns: Alabama linebacker Jimmy Johns was arrested on felony drug charges and kicked off the team, the latest in a string of off-the-field problems for coach Nick Saban's squad.

Track

Gatlin continues appeal: Banned sprinter Justin Gatlin got support but no relief from a federal judge who rescinded his order allowing the defending 100-meter champion to compete in this weekend's Olympic track and field trials. Judge Lacey Collier said that while he believed Gatlin "is being wronged," he lacked jurisdiction over the U.S. Olympic Committee to determine who is eligible for the trials.

The former world 100- and 200-meter champion's next recourse will be with an appellate court in Atlanta.

Seattle Times news services