Federal court bars Clarett from NFL draft
NEW YORK, April 19 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court Monday barred Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett from entering Saturday's NFL draft, overturning a lower court.
In February, Clarett was declared eligible for the NFL draft by U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, who ruled the league violated anti-trust laws. She later refused to suspend the ruling.
As part of the league's collective bargaining agreement, NFL rules stipulate that players must be out of high school three years to be eligible for the draft. But Clarett challenged the rule in a Sept. 23 lawsuit.
Clarett ran for 1,327 yards and helped the Buckeyes capture a national championship as a freshman in 2002. But he was suspended by the school prior to the 2003 season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend, then lying to investigators.
On Monday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the NFL has "demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits."
Kenyans dominate Boston Marathon
BOSTON, April 19 (UPI) -- Kenyans Timothy Cherigat and Catherine Ndereba won the men's and women's divisions of the 108th annual Boston Marathon Monday.
Cheigat, 27, won the 26-mile-385-yard race in 2 hours 10 minutes 37 seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Robert Cheboror who finished second in 2:11:49. Cheigat's winning time was the slowest since 1991. Martin Lel of Kenya was third in 2:13:38.
Ndereba, 32, fought through leg cramps in posting her winning time of 2:14:27 and collapsed at the finish line.
Patriots' Day temperatures soared into the mid-80s but the unseasonal heat did not stop the Kenyans who won for the 13th time in 14 years in the men's race and fourth time in five years in the women's.
"It was very hard in that heat," said Cherigat, the training partner of Sunday's London Marathon winner Evans Rutto.
Defending Boston champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and 2002 winner Rodgers Rop both dropped out of the race.
Ron Artest suspended, honored on same day
NEW YORK, April 19 (UPI) -- Indiana forward Ron Artest was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Monday, shortly after the league hit him with a one-game suspension.
Artest finished ahead of Detroit's Ben Wallace and Portland's Theo Ratliff in voting for the player award.
Earlier, Artest was suspended for leaving the bench during a dispute over a foul.
Stu Jackson, the league's senior vice president of basketball operations, said Artest will serve his suspension, without pay, during Tuesday's playoff game against Boston.
The league suspended Artest for "leaving the immediate vicinity of the bench" during the Pacers' 104-88 Saturday victory over the Celtics in their Eastern Conference playoff series opener.
Artest left the bench area after teammate Jermaine O'Neal was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter. As O'Neal angrily protested the call, Artest ran a few steps onto the court.
League rules prohibit players who are not in the game from entering the playing area during an altercation.
Jets stadium to be used all week
NEW YORK, April 19 (UPI) -- The proposed $1.4 billion Jets football stadium for New York City is designed to be used all week -- not just on Sundays.
Jets President Jay Cross calls the project "a convention center that also holds football games."
The New York Post got an exclusive look at the plans that call for each side of the multi-use structure planned for the West Side of Manhattan to have separate design concepts.
Football spectators would enter the stadium from entrances on 33rd and 30th streets, while another side of the stadium would have a block-wide, park-like balcony overlooking the Hudson River that also includes a 440-seat community theater and museum.
A VIP entrance for luxury suites and club seats is proposed for 11th Ave., plus trendy shops, high-scale restaurants and bars.
The side facing the Chelsea neighborhood is proposed to have boutiques and open European-type markets.
Some preliminary agreements on the structure have been met, but the structure still needs environmental and zoning approvals.
