PRO FOOTBALL
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) - Beast Mode was Least Mode again.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch abruptly ended his media availability - again - walking away from a throng of reporters while escorted by a member of the New Jersey State Police after about 7 uncomfortable minutes in which he answered just a few questions.
The elusive Lynch, who created a stir at media day Tuesday by talking for only 6½ minutes, writhed in his seat and leaned his head back at times. A few dozen reporters, lined up as much as five deep, tried to ask questions during the players’ 45-minute availability at the team hotel.
Earlier this month, Lynch was fined $50,000 for not cooperating with the Seattle media. The NFL put that fine on hold, saying it would be rescinded if he complied with media obligations. During media day, Lynch returned to speak to Deion Sanders for NFL Network, to the Seahawks website, and to Armed Forces Network - and acknowledged he was trying to avoid being fined by the league for not meeting his media requirements.
NEW YORK (AP) - Laughter and shrieks echoed through Times Square as bundled-up football fans slid down a gleaming toboggan run, the centerpiece of a Super Bowl-themed outdoor street fair that has invaded the city’s busiest thoroughfare.
Sun glinted off the toboggan run, which towers several stories high and looks like a giant slide, and fake snow spat out of a machine swirled in the frigid air, even though the ground on Super Bowl Boulevard had already received a coating of actual snow.
Hundreds of people watched as the shiny silver Vince Lombardi Trophy made its debut in a glass case, where it will remain until it is awarded to the winner of Sunday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Back in the agent business after a lengthy personal detour, Leigh Steinberg’s first new football client is, naturally, a quarterback.
Steinberg has signed SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert, the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert. Steinberg was Gale Gilbert’s agent and also represents SMU coach June Jones.
This is the first time Steinberg, the real-life inspiration for “Jerry Maguire,” has represented the son of a former client.
A powerful agent since 1975, Steinberg battled alcoholism and bankruptcy, and let his agent certification lapse. After getting sober and clearing bankruptcy, Steinberg was recertified by the NFL Players Association last fall and launched Steinberg Sports and Entertainment.
DETROIT (AP) - Former Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best is suing the NFL and helmet maker Riddell after concussion problems helped cut short his career.
The lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court on Tuesday. It alleges the league has been aware of evidence of mild traumatic brain injuries and the risk for its players for years, but “deliberately ignored and actively concealed” the information. It also accuses Riddell of making defective helmets and failing to inform the players of the long-term effects of concussions.
AUTO RACING
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Dale Jarrett had no idea what crazy things Blake Shelton might say as the country music star inducted him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Shelton read a handwritten and heartfelt speech about his love of racing, inherited through his late father, who as his health declined was so thrilled that his son got to hang with some of NASCAR’s biggest stars.
It set the tone for Jarrett’s emotional induction as he joined his father, Ned, as just the second father-son combination with NASCAR championships inducted into the Hall. The Jarretts join Lee and Richard Petty.
A three-time Daytona 500 winner, two-time Brickyard winner and the 1999 Cup champion, Jarrett was emotional the entire time.
WINTER WEATHER
ATLANTA (AP) - The winter storm that swept through the Southeast left plans for many games in a deep freeze. Even the NBA couldn’t overcome the ice and snow which covered Atlanta and the Deep South.
The Detroit Pistons’ game against the Atlanta Hawks set for Wednesday night was postponed. The Pistons were unable to make their scheduled flight into Atlanta on Tuesday night from Detroit.
Georgia and Georgia Tech stuck with plans for home games against Vanderbilt and North Carolina, respectively.
Alabama’s game at Auburn was moved to Thursday.
The winter storm trapped thousands of motorists on Atlanta’s frozen interstates, including Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Tennessee coach Butch Jones, Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman and Georgia Tech sports information director Dean Buchan.
HOCKEY
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) - Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens set an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout with 59 in a spectacular performance that helped Edmonton beat San Jose 3-0.
Scrivens topped the previous mark set by Phoenix’s Mike Smith, who stopped 54 shots in a victory over Columbus on April 3, 2012.
The Sharks matched the record for shots against the Oilers, accomplished by the New York Rangers in a 4-3 loss in 1993. This time, the recently acquired Scrivens turned away all 59 as Edmonton won its third straight.
Scrivens stopped 20 shots in the first, 22 in the second and 17 in the third.
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