Favre to return as Packers quarterback
GREEN BAY, Wis., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre will return for a 17th NFL season, the team announced Friday.
Packers General Manager Ted Thompson issued a statement on the team Web site saying Favre, whose retirement has been rumored for several seasons, would return and "the Packers are excited by his decision and look forward to a successful 2007 campaign."
Favre, who turns 38 next season, rebounded from an off year in 2005 to complete 56 percent of his passes for 3,885 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He started all 16 games for the 14th consecutive season, running his NFL record consecutive start streak to 237 regular-season games.
He is a three-time league most valuable player and passed Dan Marino's NFL record for career completions last season. He's on the verge of several other career marks, including victories, one short of John Elway's 148, touchdown passes -- six short of Marino's record -- and 3,862 yards behind Marino's record in that category.
Brees, Tomlinson are NFL's Men of the Year
MIAMI, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- New Orleans' Drew Brees and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson have been selected the co-winners of the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
The honor is given annually to note the accomplishments of players both on and off the field. It is named for late NFL running back Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears.
Brees led the NFL with 4,418 passing yards and topped the NFC with 26 touchdown passes and a 96.2 quarterback rating in leading the Saints to their first division title in six seasons.
Off the field Brees associated with rebuilding efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and, with teammate Deuce McAllister, the NFL Youth Education Town and Pan American Football Field. Brees also is the host of a golf tournament that raises funds for San Diego Children's Hospital and Cancer Research.
Tomlinson, the league's leading rusher this season, set single-season NFL records for touchdowns and points as the Chargers won the AFC West.
He provides game tickets and a post-game dinner for children in San Diego and has his name on a scholarship that helps 25 college-bound students. Tomlinson also established a camp that stresses character-building in children.
Dolphins, Giants to play game in London
MIAMI, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants will play an NFL regular-season game in London next fall, the National Football League announced Friday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the teams will meet in London's Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28 -- Week 8 of the regular season. NFL owners have voted to play up to two regular-season games outside the United States each of the next five years, starting with a single contest in 2007.
It will be a home game for the Dolphins, who will have only seven games in Miami next season. Both teams will be given bye weeks the following week.
The NFL last staged a regular-season game outside the United States in 2005 when 103,467 people saw the Arizona Cardinals play the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City.
Foot sprain sidelines Grant Hill
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb 2 (UPI) -- Orlando guard Grant Hill will miss 2-3 weeks because of a sprained right foot.
The oft-injured Hill, who has struggled with left foot and ankle ailments throughout his 14-year NBA career, suffered his latest injury during Orlando's game against Milwaukee on Wednesday night, but did not complain about any pain at that time.
The Orlando Sentinel reported Hill, who has been relatively pain free this season, underwent an MRI Thursday when ligament damage was diagnosed.
The MRI was done when he showed up in pain before the team's scheduled practice on Thursday.
"I don't think he knew he had hurt himself," General Manager Otis Smith told the newspaper. "I don't think Grant realized it. I don't think he knew the severity."
Hill is averaging 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 39 games this season.
His career averages are 20.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
