Woods taking 'indefinite break' from golf
WINDERMERE, Fla., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods, acknowledging the pain his "infidelity" caused others, announced Friday he is taking an "indefinite break" from pro golf to focus on his family.
"I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children," Woods, the top-ranked golfer on the PGA Tour, said on his Web site late Friday.
"I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try."
The 30-year-old married father of two children said his family needed "safe haven" for "personal healing."
"After much soul searching," he said, "I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person."
Woods asked for privacy and thanked "those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period."
The golfer's extramarital affairs came to light after he was in a car accident outside his Windermere, Fla., home early Nov. 27. He hit a fire hydrant and a tree on a neighbor's property and was charged with careless driving.
The PGA Tour expressed support for Woods.
"His priorities are where they need to be and we will continue to respect and honor his family's request for privacy," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "We look forward to Tiger's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him."
Philadelphia losing streak reaches a dozen
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Aaron Brooks halted a Philadelphia rally by hitting a jumper with 12 seconds to play Friday and Houston held on to defeat the 76ers 96-91.
Philadelphia lost its 12th game in a row.
The 76ers took a 10-point lead after one quarter, but Houston held Philadelphia to 13 points in the third period and the Rockets grabbed a 76-64 advantage going into the fourth quarter.
A jumper by Allen Iverson with 1:11 to play brought the 76ers within three and Philadelphia had a chance to get even closer after Houston had an empty possession. Elton Brand, however, missed a jump shot for the 76ers and Brooks followed with his key shot that opened a five-shot cushion.
Carl Landry led Houston with 20 points and Brooks had 19.
Iverson, playing his third game for Philadelphia since ending a brief retirement, scored 20 points in 35 minutes. Andre Iguodala led the 76ers with 24 points.
Babineaux arrested on drug charge
ATLANTA, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux has been charged with felony possession of marijuana.
A traffic stop Thursday night led to Babineaux's arrest after a Gwinnett County police officer detected the odor of marijuana in his 2005 Cadillac Escalade, police said.
Babineaux, 28, was released from the Gwinnett County jail early Friday after paying $8,300 bond, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. In a statement Friday evening, he said he was not guilty.
Police said the search of Babineaux's car turned up 40 grams of marijuana in three separate bags.
Babineaux was cited for driving without a license, having an expired tag, having no tag light and tinting his car windows more than the allowed amount.
A second man, Aaron Robinson, 25, of Minneapolis, also was arrested on a felony marijuana possession charge, police said.
Babineaux attended the team's practice Friday to prepare for Sunday's contest against the New Orleans Saints (12-0).
In a statement, the team said it would not comment on Babineaux's arrest.
The University of Iowa product was a second-round pick in the 2005 NFL draft.
Notre Dame introduces Coach Brian Kelly
SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Notre Dame University trotted out its next football coach, Brian Kelly, at a Friday news conference.
Kelly, 48, signed a five-year contract less than 24 hours after vacating a similar post at the University of Cincinnati. He succeeds the fired Charlie Weis.
Kelly compiled a 34-6 record in three-plus seasons at Cincinnati, including back-to-back Big East Conference titles and a 12-0 record this season.
"Nobody does it like Notre Dame," he said after getting his dream job. "The excellence in academics and in the athletic arena is second to none. That challenge, to me, was one I was so anxious to take on. I'm forever grateful for the players at the University of Cincinnati for the opportunity they gave me."
He inherits a storied program that has not won a national title since 1988 under Lou Holtz.
"I am confident he will help us accomplish our goal of competing for national championships," said Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick.
Kelly, 48, takes over a Fighting Irish team that went 6-6 this season under Weiss, who had a 35-27 record over five seasons at Notre Dame.
