Briefs | Auto racing: Danica Patrick insists her doping remark was a joke

Auto racing

CEO of U.S. Anti-Doping Agency isn't amused by driver's comment in Sports Illustrated: IndyCar driver Danica Patrick insists she was joking when she said using performance-enhancing drugs would only be cheating if she got caught.

Not so funny, said the leader of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Travis Tygart, USADA chief executive officer, said Patrick's comments, printed in Sports Illustrated, were "totally irresponsible."

"In one interview, she undercut what millions of parents try their best to teach their kids every day in this country, that winners never cheat and cheaters never win," Tygart said Monday.

In an interview with Dan Patrick published in Sports Illustrated, Danica Patrick was asked if she could take a performance-enhancing drug and not get caught, would she do it if it allowed her to win the Indianapolis 500.

"Well, then it's not cheating, is it? If nobody finds out?" she said.

Dan Patrick responded: "So you would do it?"

Danica's answer: "Yeah, it would be like finding a gray area. In motor sports, we work in the gray areas a lot. You're trying to find where the holes are in the rule book."

Danica Patrick, 27, later said she was joking and apologized in the event her comments came across differently.

"It was a bad joke," she said in an interview that appeared in USA Today.

WNBA

Mercury has three-year deal with company: Following the lead of some international sports, the Phoenix Mercury has become the first league team to put a sponsor's name on its jerseys.

Under the three-year deal with LifeLock, the identity-theft-protection company's name will replace the "Phoenix" and "Mercury" across the road and home uniforms, respectively.

The team's logo will appear above the "LifeLock" on the left side. LifeLock is based in Tempe, Ariz.

WNBA president Donna Orender said she expects other teams to reach similar deals.

College football

Florida player arrested, Tasered: An attorney for a Florida starting cornerback charged with punching another man in the head during a fight Saturday said his client acted in self-defense.

Gainesville Police spokesman Lt. Keith Kameg said police saw Janoris Jenkins punch another man in the head. When Jenkins continued fighting, police shot him with a Taser and Jenkins tried to run away, Kameg said.

Jenkins, 20, was arrested on charges of resisting arrest without violence. He posted bail.

Jenkins' attorney, Huntley Johnson, said he believes his client acted in self-defense and prosecution will be deferred or charges dismissed.

Davis retires: Mouse Davis, Portland State offensive coordinator, is retiring after more than 50 years of coaching at various levels. He is 76.

Davis helped to make the "run-and-shoot" offense famous in the 1970s, when he was Portland State's head coach.

Golf

Mickelson plans to return to Tour next week: Phil Mickelson, ranked second in the world behind Tiger Woods, plans a brief return to the PGA Tour in time to play in the U.S. Open, which starts June 18.

Mickelson suspended his schedule indefinitely upon announcing May 20 his wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Recent tests have given the Mickelsons hope the cancer has been caught early.

Mickelson said he intends to return next week at the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tenn., and compete in the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Amy's treatment and recovery will dictate whether Phil plays in the British Open, or how much he plays at all the rest of the summer.

Olympics

USOC hires English: The U.S. Olympic Committee hired Mike English as its chief of sport performance.

Soccer

Ancelotti to coach Chelsea: Carlo Ancelotti, 49, signed a three-year contract to coach Chelsea of England after ending his eight-year tenure at AC Milan of Italy. He will start at Chelsea on July 1.

Hejduk is out: U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk won't play in today's World Cup qualifying match at Costa Rica because of a groin injury.

Horse racing

Hall of Fame jockey Stevens starts training operation: Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, 46, has started a Southern California-based training operation and is being assisted by his son, T.C.

Gary Stevens, who also works as an analyst for NBC Sports and HRTV, said, "We're starting out with several nice horses and looking forward to slowly building up the stable."

Stevens' accomplishments as a jockey include winning riding titles at Longacres in Renton in 1983 and 1984. The track closed for live racing after the 1992 season.

Mine That Bird jockey Borel sounds confident: Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, preparing for Saturday's Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., worked a half-mile in 50 seconds at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

"We're gonna win, no questions asked," jockey Calvin Borel said after the workout.

Irish trainer O'Brien dies at 92: Vincent O'Brien, an Irishman considered the greatest European trainer of all time by many observers, died Monday. He was 92. O'Brien retired in 1994.

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