NFL conditionally reinstates Vick
NEW YORK, July 27 (UPI) -- Michael Vick, once a premier professional quarterback until convicted on federal dogfighting charges, was reinstated by the NFL Monday with strings attached.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Vick may play again if he meets certain requirements. Vick will be considered for full reinstatement and could become eligible to play in regular-season games by the weekend of Oct. 18-19, the sixth week of the 2009 season.
He was cut free by the Atlanta Falcons and has been suspended indefinitely since August 2007 after pleading guilty to federal charges. He was freed from custody July 20 after serving 23 months in prison and supervised release and is now an unrestricted free agent.
Vick, 29, led the Falcons to the playoffs once and is third all-time among quarterbacks in career rushing yards.
For now, he can now participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings. He also may play in the final two preseason games. During the regular season, Vick can participate in all team activities other than games.
The NFL said on its Web site that Vick will be evaluated from time to time by Goodell during his suspension and will be mentored by former Colts coach Tony Dungy. Goodell stipulates that Vick must abide submit a written plan for his future.
"In deciding whether to reinstate a player, I have stressed my belief that playing in the NFL is a privilege. It is not an entitlement," Goodell wrote. "Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited. I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you."
Green fends off Goosen for Canadian title
OAKVILLE, Ontario, July 27 (UPI) -- Nathan Green won the Canadian Open Monday when he parred the second hole of a sudden-death playoff and Retief Goosen bogeyed it.
It was Green's first PGA Tour win.
Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open winner, missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole that would have given him the title. Green hit his approach shot over the green but salvaged par to get to the deciding hole.
Green, who shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round of the rain-delayed tournament, earned $900,000. His biggest victory previously was a 2007 win on the European Tour.
The 34-year-old Australian said he was "over the moon" over his victory.
Goosen eagled the 18th hole in regulation for a three-under 69 and tied Green at 18-under 270. He was seeking his second victory this year.
More swim records fall in Rome
ROME, July 27 (UPI) -- Records continued to fall Monday at the 2009 FINA World Swim Championships in Rome with five swimmers turning in unprecedented times.
Not among them, though, was American Aaron Peirsol, who failed to qualify for the 100-meter backstroke final. Peirsol has won the past two Olympic gold medals in the event but finished ninth overall in the semifinals in 53.22, well off the world record time off 51.94 he set July 8. He missed the finals by 0.1 second.
The record-setting performances came the day after six world records fell at the championships.
Swede Sarah Sjostrom swam the 100-meter butterfly in 56.06, breaking the world mark she set Sunday in the semifinals. Likewise, American Ariana Kukors won the 200-meter individual medley final in 2:06.13, surpassing the record for the second day in a row.
Also setting world marks were Australian Brenton Rickard in the men's 100-meter breaststroke final (58.58 seconds), American Rebecca Soni in the women's 100-meter breaststroke semis (1:04.84) and Russian Anastasia Zueva in the women's 100-meter backstroke semis (58.48).
American Michael Phelps qualified for the 200-meter freestyle final by finishing third in the semis in 1:45.23. Phelps set the world record in the event when he posted a 1:42.96 in Beijing last year.
Serbian Milorad Cavic captured the first-ever gold medal for his country with a championship record time of 22.67 seconds.
Indians' Abreu, Wedge suspended
CLEVELAND, July 27 (UPI) -- Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Winston Abreu and Manager Eric Wedge are being punished with suspensions for a weekend beaning incident in Seattle.
Abreu was suspended for three games for intentionally hitting Jack Hannahan in the ninth inning Saturday when the Indians were leading the Mariners 10-0. Wedge was to miss Monday night's game and will be replaced by bench coach Jeff Datz.
Abreu allegedly retaliated after Seattle pitcher Chris Jakubauskas hit Ben Francisco with a pitch following a home run by Asdrubal Cabrera. The beaning brought both teams out of their dugouts onto the field.
Abreu and Wedge were ejected from that game. Jakubauskas was fined by Major League Baseball but not suspended.
Massa said responding in hospital
BUDAPEST, Hungary, July 27 (UPI) -- Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa is able to move his hands and legs and can communicate after a crash in Hungary, officials said Monday.
Massa fractured his skull in an accident Saturday in Budapest during qualifiers for the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix and was taken to a military hospital where a Hungarian Defense Ministry spokesman told local television Massa is starting his recovery, the British newspaper The Guardian reported.
The spokesman, Istvan Bocskai, told viewers Massa, 28, was calm Sunday night, saying the results of an ultrasound examination were "reassuring."
"He's woken up (from sedation) more and more often now and he's able to communicate actively, that is, he reacts when he's talked to. We are optimistic, in our hope a slow recovery is beginning," Bocskai reportedly said, adding there are signs the driver's brain may not have suffered permanent damage.
In the second round of qualifying, Massa, driving his Ferrari, ran off the course in turn four and slammed head-on into the tire barrier after being struck on the head by a spring that came off the Brawn GP driven by Rubens Barrichello.
