No DNA in Roethlisberger assault case?
PITTSBURGH, March 24 (UPI) -- Georgia investigators say they do not need a sample of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's DNA, his lawyer says.
Edward T.M. Garland, said he was told detectives have nothing for comparison, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. That suggests an examination of a Georgia student who said Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her in a nightclub found no DNA.
His client had agreed to give a sample, Garland said.
Dr. Cyril Wecht, one of leading U.S. forensic pathologists, said some kinds of sexual contact might not leave DNA.
"When you don't have any biological evidence, you have to decide whether you want to proceed with what the purported victim has stated," he told the Post-Gazette.
The woman, a 20-year-old student at Georgia College & State University, told police she was assaulted shortly after midnight on March 5.
Neurological program set for NFL vets
NEW YORK, March 24 (UPI) -- A neurological care program for retired football players has been established by the NFL and the NFL Alumni Association.
The groups announced the program in a release Wednesday, saying specialists at five medical centers around the United States would be available to evaluate and treat neurological problems.
The release said the program is available to retired players vested under the league's player retirement plan. It added that players who can't afford treatment can apply for a grant to cover some or all of the costs.
The program was developed after a suggestion by NFL Alumni Association Executive Director George Martin.
The NFL and NFL Alumni Association said the medical facilities to be used are Doctors of USC in Los Angeles; Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Mount Sinai in New York; University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Baseball's LCS schedule tightened
NEW YORK, March 24 (UPI) -- Major league officials shortened baseball's post-season by eliminating an off day during the league championship series, Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday.
A Special Committee for On-Field Matters, appointed by Selig in December, suggested the change in which the day off between the fourth and fifth games of the best-of-seven LCS was removed.
A release from MLB said the change was "in response to concerns expressed by players and management" about the number of off days during the post-season.
"Scheduling is a key area in which the (committee) members have expressed many interesting ideas and opinions," Selig said. "The removal of the off-day during both League Championship Series marks the first step in a process that will ultimately result in an improved postseason format for our game."
Selig said he expected additional changes to stem from the committee's work.
The MLB post-season schedule for 2010 has three Division Series beginning Oct. 6, the American League Championship Series on Oct. 15 and the NLCS on Oct. 16. The World Series is to begin Oct. 27.
'Mad Mike' Jones arrested in Miami
MIAMI, March 24 (UPI) -- Motocross legend Michael "Mad Mike" Jones was arrested in Miami after attacking two people and being subdued by a police officer's Taser, authorities allege.
Jones, 43, was returning Monday from a trip to Costa Rica when he allegedly became violent at the Miami International Airport and injured a repairman and a police officer, WFOR-TV, Miami, reported.
It took as many five officers, one using a Taser, to subdue Jones, who was charged with battery, assault and resisting arrest, Miami police said. Jones, of Export, Pa., was ordered held on $12,500 bond, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Wednesday.
At a bond hearing, Christine Jones, said her husband was bipolar and had refused medication to prevent severe mood swings.
Jones won a gold medal in the 2001 Winter X Games, but since has fallen on hard times financially, friends and family said.
The Miami police officer suffered an injured knee and the airport repairman cuts and bruises to his face, police said.
Furthest Land has close route in Dubai Cup
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 24 (UPI) -- Wednesday's post position draw placed the favorites at the center of the 14-horse field for Saturday's 15th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Last year's runner-up, Brazil's Gloria de Campaeo, drew the fifth position while South African threat Lizard's Desire is in the center of the field in seventh. Japanese filly Red Desire, with a slight weight advantage, drew the acceptable No. 3 post while American turf champion and likely favorite Gio Ponti starts beside her in fourth.
Fellow American Furthest Land is close to glory near the center in eighth position, crowded in by Britain's Crowded House and American Richard's Kid in Nos. 9 and 10.
Ireland's Allybar drew post position No. 1, meaning he'll have to move to the front or fight through a crowd. So will Briton Gitano Hernando in second position.
British pair Twice Over and Mastery, and South Africa's Mr. Brock will set out from positions 11 through 13 while Chile's Amor de Pobre will try to win from the far outside.
The race will highlight the official opening day of Dubai's Meydan Racecourse.
