Seau won't press charges against fan
FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 25 (UPI) -- New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau said he does not plan to press charges against a fan who was arrested after tackling him on the sidelines of a game.
Todd Kobus, 31, of Attleboro, Mass., was arrested after jumping on Seau during Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, WCVB-TV, Boston, reported Thursday.
Kobus pleaded not guilty Monday to trespassing and assault and battery charges in Wrentham District Court. During the hearing, he referred to the incident as "a stupid lapse in judgment."
"I'm just a big fan of Junior Seau," Kobus told the court. "I meant to give him a big hug. I absolutely did not mean to tackle him or anything along those lines."
A pre-trial hearing was set for February.
The Patriots said the season tickets of the person who either sold or gave Kobus his seat at Sunday's game have been pulled.
Favre to discuss uncertain Jets future
NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 25 (UPI) -- New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre says he is set to meet with team officials to discuss his possible retirement from the NFL franchise.
The 39-year-old NFL veteran said once the Jets' season has concluded, he will meet with team general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini to discuss his options, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger said Wednesday.
Favre said this weekend's final regular season game against the Miami Dolphins may represent the last time he plays in the league.
"This very well could be my last game," Favre said. "I'm aware of that. I'd like to make it a memorable one."
Favre, whose team could make the playoffs with a win Sunday, was traded to the Jets after a long career with the Green Bay Packers.
The Star-Ledger said while Favre now has a sore throwing shoulder from his comeback season after reneging on his retirement, he does not regret his decision.
"This year was a gamble, a risk, whatever you want to call it. It's been good and bad times as far as our season has gone, but I'm glad I came," said Favre, who retired with the Packers in March. "I made the right decision."
Report: 49ers to hire Mike Singletary
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers plan to hire interim head coach Mike Singletary on a full-time basis, a source told the Sacramento Bee.
The newspaper reported Thursday Singletary met with team officials earlier this week, when the decision was made to offer him a multiyear contract soon after the 49ers' season-finale Sunday against the Washington Redskins.
San Francisco has won three of its last four games.
The former Chicago Bears all-pro linebacker replaced the fired Mike Nolan in October, doubled the 49ers' win total from two last season to four, and the team has adjusted to his desire to run a ball-control offense.
The source also said defensive coordinator Greg Manusky would be retained, but offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who has a pass-first philosophy, would not.
Singletary is a minority, meaning the 49ers have already met the criteria outlined in the NFL's Rooney rules for interviewing minority candidates.
NBA: Orlando 88, New Orleans 68
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Hedo Turkoglu's 20 points Thursday keyed Orlando's 88-68 decimation of the New Orleans Hornets, the Magic's eighth straight home victory.
Orlando, which extended its overall winning streak to six in a row, quickly turned the contest into a rout with a 29-14 advantage after the first period, which swelled to 61-31 at the break.
Turkoglu scored eight points and sank two three-pointers during a 13-0 second quarter spurt.
Also for the Magic, Rashard Lewis scored 18 with six rebounds and four assists, Jameer Nelson scored 14 with three assists, Dwight Howard had 12 points and 15 rebounds, while Turkoglu added six rebounds and five assists.
David West led New Orleans with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Chris Paul scored 12 with four rebounds and four assists, but because he did not have a steal, his NBA-record streak at 108 consecutive games with at least one swipe ended.
Devin Brown added 12 points and three assists for the Hornets, who shot just 33.3 percent.
