These children won't forget the name of the game

Yes, that name does have a certain five rings to it.

More than 4,000 Chinese children have been given the name Aoyun — meaning Olympic Games — in honor of Beijing hosting this year's big event, BBC News reported.

Just be glad that China never landed the Poulan Weed Eater Bowl.

Weather report

OK, we'll bite: Just how warm and sunny was it in New York on Thursday?

"So beautiful," cracked CBS funnyman David Letterman, "the NBA was rigging volleyball."

Red or yellow?

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney and longtime girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin got married Thursday in a private ceremony on the Italian Riviera.

In lieu of gifts, though, the new couple told well-wishers they just want to be carded.

Big Brown delivers

Snippet from Big Brown's exclusive interview he granted David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

"Q: Since the Belmont, a lot of the experts have been trying to estimate how much of a loss in stud fees your loss will create. Have you thought about that at all?

"A: Nope. It's not like I'd see any of that money anyway.

"Q: So that's not even a concern for you?

"A: Not a bit. Trust me, when it comes to that part of my career — and you hear athletes say this all the time, but I really mean it when I say it — I'd do that for free."

Three if by air

The Bears released running back Cedric Benson last week after he was involved in two DUI incidents — first while driving a boat, then a car — just five weeks apart.

"If you're like me," wrote Gregg Drinnan of the Kamloops (B.C.) Daily News, "you're wondering if he has a pilot's license."

Keep on struttin'

"NBA players who pound their chests after making a shot should be required to put their hands around their throats when they miss a wide-open shot," wrote Bob Molinaro of the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. "Fair is fair."

Can't stop 'em

Back in the Minnesota state high-school baseball tournament for the first time since 1963: Thief River Falls.

The Prowlers, no doubt, led the league in steals.

Quote marks

• Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, eliminating one prime suspect in last week's heist of Giants Super Bowl rings in Attlelboro, Mass: "Patriots coach Bill Belichick was with his mistress — and has the tape to prove it."

• Headline at SportsPickle.com: "Bird, Magic scoreless so far in NBA Finals."

• Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel, after 157 fans were arrested during Germany's Euro 2008 win over Poland last week: "157 — or as soccer people call it, 'a slow day.' "

• Calgary blogger Derek Wilken, on how NFL running back Travis Henry — who has nine kids with nine different women — plans to celebrate Father's Day today: "Same as usual — being served breakfast in shifts."

Ill-Advised Pass Dept.

Steve Halpin has resigned as football coach at Mesquite (Texas) High School after police say he pawned school property to help pay gambling debts, the Dallas Morning News reported.

In a related story, the school denied it is changing its nickname from Skeeters to Hocks.

Sideline Chatter appears Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Seattle Times. Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com