UPI NewsTrack Sports

Chargers receiver arrested on DUI charge

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jackson was pulled over on state Route 52 just past 2:30 a.m. following an observed traffic violation. He was booked and later released. Jackson could be facing misdemeanors on the alleged DUI itself in addition to violating probation for a prior DUI charge.

"This morning, I was stopped by an officer," Jackson said. "I don't think any charges will be filed as a result of the stop. In the event they are, I look forward to clearing my name and proving my innocence."

San Diego beat Indianapolis 23-17 in last Saturday's AFC Wild Card matchup and will play Pittsburgh Sunday in an AFC Divisional playoff game.

The arrest will not keep Jackson from playing against the Steelers, the Union-Tribune said, because the NFL's contract with the players' union gives authority to discipline players for alcohol and substance abuses to the league, not individual teams. Any punishment would affect next season, the newspaper said.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith issued a statement, saying the team was aware of the arrest.

"Obviously we're disappointed," Smith said. "We take these issues very seriously. Moving forward, we will monitor the situation and have no further comment."

A fourth-year pro out of Northern Colorado, Jackson had an outstanding season for the Chargers this season. He set career highs of 59 receptions, 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns.

Former Florida basketball star transferring to Texas

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Former Florida basketball guard Jai Lucas will transfer to the University of Texas this spring, Texas Coach Rick Barnes announced Tuesday.

Barnes said that under NCAA rules, Lucas cannot take part in games or travel with the team but can participate in practice once the admissions process is complete.

As a freshman with Florida in 2007-08, Lucas earned SEC all-freshman honors in starting 36 games for the Gators, averaging 8.5 points and connecting for a team-high 43.5 percent of his three-point attempts.

"Jai dreamed of coming to the University of Texas from an early age, and it will be fun to see him live out that dream," Barnes said. "He is a pure point guard who has an excellent court awareness and high basketball IQ. Most importantly, Jai has great character and will be an excellent fit in our program."

Texas, 11-2, is ranked seventh in the nation.

Cubs trade pitcher Marquis to Colorado

DENVER, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs traded right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis and cash Tuesday to Colorado for reliever Luis Vizcaino.

The move helps clear money for the Cubs, who reportedly are about to sign outfielder Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30 million deal.

Marquis, 30, was 11-9 this past season with a 4.53 earned-run average in 29 games (28 starts). He has reached double digits in wins in each of the last five seasons and is 79-70 lifetime with a 4.55 ERA in 257 games (198 starts) for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Cubs.

Vizcaino appeared in 43 games for the Rockies last season and was 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA. He spent the 2007 season with the New York Yankees, going 8-2 a 4.30 ERA in 77 games. Over 10 years with Oakland, Milwaukee, Chicago White Sox, Arizona, Yankees and Rockies, the 34-year-old Vizcaino is 34-27 with seven saves and a 4.34 ERA in 528 games.

Nadal, Federer, Murray win in Doha

DOHA, Qatar, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Three of the top four men tennis players -- world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, former top-ranked Roger Federer and Andy Murray -- were winners Tuesday at the Qatar Open.

The three highlight first-round play at the ATP World Tour's $1.11 million season-opening at the Qatar Open.

Top-seeded Nadal beat 36-year-old Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-0, 6-1; second-seeded Federer beat Italian Potito Starace 6-2, 6-2; and third-seeded Murray beat Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-4.

Murray, reigning Doha champion and U.S. Open runner-up, defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in last year's Qatar Open finale.

Nadal is the reigning Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic titlist, while Federer is the current U.S. Open champ and won this Doha event back-to- back in 2005 and 2006.