Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry dies
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died Thursday from injuries suffered when he fell from a truck in North Carolina. He was 26.
Henry was injured when he fell from the back of a pickup truck Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. Police said Henry was involved in domestic dispute with his fiancee. When the woman left Henry's house, he apparently jumped into the back of the pickup and fell out when the vehicle moved.
Police who responded to the scene Wednesday described Henry's injuries as "life-threatening."
In five seasons with Cincinnati, Henry caught 119 passes for 1,826 yards and 21 touchdowns. He hadn't played since Week 9 of this season because of an arm injury.
The Bengals selected Henry in the third round of the 2005 draft. He caught 15 touchdown passes his first two seasons but was often in the news for off-the-field issues. He was suspended for eight games of the 2007 season because of those problems, which including possession of marijuana and providing alcohol to minors.
In April 2008, Cincinnati released Henry after his fifth arrest since joining the team but they re-signed him prior to last season.
Gasquet cleared of cocaine allegations
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- International officials on Thursday upheld the appeal of tennis player Richard Gasquet against a two-year ban from competition because of alleged cocaine use.
Gasquet tested positive for cocaine after withdrawing from a tournament last March. He claimed he inadvertently took the drug when he kissed a woman at a Miami nightclub.
The World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Tennis Federation, because of the positive test, barred Gasquet from competition for two years. Gasquet appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which supported his claim.
"It was impossible for the player, even when exercising the utmost caution, to know that in kissing a woman who he had met in a totally unsuspicious environment, he could be contaminated with cocaine," the CAS said in a statement.
The CAS said the amount of cocaine detected was minute and he was "clearly not a regular cocaine user."
Gasquet, ranked No. 52 in the world, served a 2 1/2-month suspension this past season before an ITF tribunal cleared him to resume playing in July.
Washington Redskins VP resigns
ASHBURN, Va., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Washington Redskins hired long-time NFL executive Bruce Allen to replace Vinny Cerrato as the team's executive vice president for football operations.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder announced Allen was joining the team Thursday just a few hours after accepting Cerrato's resignation.
In the Redskins' operation, Allen's position effectively serves a general manager. He is to immediately begin his new assignment.
"Bruce Allen is the personification of an NFL winner," Snyder said. "Our fans know his heritage. We know his abilities. He is the right person to lead our club."
Allen, 53, is the son of former Redskins Coach George Allen. He was most recently general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he has also been with the front office of the Oakland Raiders.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity with one of the world's most successful sports franchises," said Allen. "I love everything about this assignment; I know what it means to be dedicated to the Redskins. I can't wait to get to work."
Cerrato, in a release from the team, said he'd spoken several times recently with Snyder about a new direction for the team, which is 4-9 this year.
"We agreed that the franchise needs someone different in this position," Cerrato said.
"Of course, I am disappointed with this year's results but I strongly believe that with outstanding draft picks and encouraging performance by our younger players, we have laid a strong foundation for the franchise."
Erlandsson ahead at South African Open
PAARL, South Africa, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Martin Erlandsson, riding a round that included an eagle and six birdies, shot 8-under-par 64 Thursday and leads after one round of the South African Open.
Erlandsson owns a 1-stroke lead over Pablo Martin, who won last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, and Dawie Van der Walt. Anders Hansen is in fourth place at 6-under and Richie Ramsey is another stroke back.
The South African Open, contested at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates, is part of the 2010 schedule of the European PGA Tour.
Erlandsson was in the second group off on the back nine and the early tee time may have slowed him as he was just 2-under after nine holes.
On the front side, he picked up six strokes in a six-hole span from Nos. 2-7. That included a 3-wood second shot on the par-5 fifth hole that got Erlandsson within 3 feet of the hole.
Martin finished his round with a 3 at the 601-yard 18th hole, with a 265-yard second shot getting him within striking distance of the eagle.
Van der Walt had a pair of eagles, matching Erlandsson's effort on the fifth hole and chipping in for a 2 at the 386-yard 10th hole.
