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Report says NHL to reject latest offer

TORONTO, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The National Hockey League, shut down by a contract dispute, will reject the latest offer by the players, it was reported Monday.

The Sports Network of Canada said it obtained a memo that says the NHL believes a players' union proposal to cut back salaries offers short-term relief but "falls well short" of a solution to the league's financial problems.

Officials of each of the 30 teams received the memo, the report said.

Players were locked out in mid-September after negotiators failed to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.

NHL officials have said a salary cap is necessary. The players have rejected a cap.

The players' union presented its latest proposal at a meeting last week, the first between the two sides in three months. They are to meet again Tuesday and the NHL is expected to make a counter-offer.

Broncos' Plummer apologizes for gesture

DENVER, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer apologized Monday for making a rude hand gesture after throwing a first-quarter interception and getting jeered.

"It wasn't directed to our fans," Plummer told KMGH-TV, Denver. "One guy got into my head a little bit. It shouldn't be that way but I'm an emotional guy."

The interception came Sunday on a side-arm throw that was nabbed by Miami Dolphins defensive end Jay Williams, the fourth defensive lineman to pick him off this season. After the play, TV cameras caught Plummer putting his middle finger behind his head while sitting on the bench, without turning around.

Plummer finished 16-for-30 with two interceptions in Denver's 20-17 victory over the Dolphins. He has no touchdowns and six interceptions in the last two games and has been the target of non-stop criticism recently in Denver.

Notre Dame introduces new football coach

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Charlie Weis was introduced Monday as the new football coach at Notre Dame.

"I'm here because expectations weren't met," Weis said at a news conference. "My job is to raise those expectations. That's why I'm here."

Notre Dame announced his hiring Sunday as the successor to Tyrone Willingham, who was fired two weeks ago.

Weis, a 1978 Notre Dame graduate, got a six-year contract. Reports said he'll make $2 million a year.

The 48-year-old Weis has been offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl-champion New England Patriots for five years. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 16 years -- nine with the Patriots -- and also was an assistant in college, but never a head coach above the high school level.

Weis is to handle both the New England and Notre Dame jobs through the end of this season.

"For the time being, I'm involved in two organizations," Weis said. "My feelings are I owe Notre Dame and the entire family to give them my best. And I owe the New England Patriots my best."

Willingham was named coach at the University of Washington Sunday.

Former Cowboys owner Bright dead

DALLAS, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Former Dallas Cowboys football team owner H.R. "Bum" Bright has died after a long illness at age 84.

Bright, who owned the Cowboys from 1984 to 1989, died Saturday night at his home in Highland Park, a Dallas suburb, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Bright, who built his fortune in the oil and gas business, sold the Cowboys to current owner Jerry Jones, who said he always admired the Dallas businessman.

"He really had a real interest in anybody, especially young people, who were really pushing to get ahead," Jones said.

Bright, a native of Muskogee, Okla., also built a coast-to-coast trucking business. He later invested in banks, real estate and savings and loans.

Bright contributed millions to the Children's Medical Center at Dallas and Texas A&M University.

A memorial service was scheduled Thursday at The Chapel of the Cross in Dallas. The burial will be private.