NHLer Rick Rypien found dead in Alberta
COLEMAN, Alberta, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Winnipeg Jets center Rick Rypien was found dead in his Alberta, Canada, home Monday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.
Authorities discovered the 27-year-old after receiving a phone call at 12:30 p.m. local time advising them to go to a residence in Coleman, Alberta, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Patrick Webb said.
Webb didn't say who made the phone call or reveal in the home the body was found but indicated Rypien's death was believed to be sudden and non-suspicious.
Angela Rypien, a cousin of the hockey player, confirmed the news on her Twitter account, writing: "I will never forget today and what sadness and hurt it has brought upon my family! R.I.P Rick Rypien, I love you so much and will miss you more than anything!"
Angela Rypien is the daughter of Mark Rypien, who was MVP of the 1992 Super Bowl when he led the Washington Redskins to a victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Rick Rypien was signed by Winnipeg as a free agent after playing for the Vancouver Canucks for parts of six seasons.
It was the second NHL death in the last three months -- New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard died of a drug and alcohol overdose May 13 at age 28.
Zambrano apologizes for leaving Cubs
CHICAGO, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Suspended Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano apologized Monday for leaving the team after an ejection, saying he wants to return to the club.
The volatile Cubs right-hander said during a radio interview he was sorry for his actions and indicated he wanted to be "a Cubbie for the rest of my life."
Zambrano was put on the 30-day disqualified list without pay after cleaning out his locker and telling clubhouse personnel he was retiring following an ejection from Friday's loss in Atlanta.
Zambrano had allowed five homers in the shellacking and was tossed by umpires after hitting Dan Uggla with a pitch and throwing inside to Chipper Jones.
In an interview on WGN-AM, Chicago, Monday, Zambrano was asked if he wanted to remain a Cub and he answered: "Of course, man. Hey, the Cubs have been my family ... . I want to keep pitching for the Cubs. It was a moment of frustration Friday night and I [felt] so bad that I wanted to quit, I wanted to retire."
The 30-year-old pitcher, who has been with the Cubs organization since he was 16, denied intentionally throwing at Uggla and Jones and indicated he hadn't talked to Cubs Manager Mike Quade or General Manager Jim Hendry since the incident, the Chicago Tribune reported.
GM: Crosby still has concussion symptoms
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said Monday center Sidney Crosby is still experiencing concussion symptoms.
The GM couldn't offer any assurances Crosby would be ready to play by the Oct. 6 start of the upcoming NHL season and reiterated the superstar wouldn't be brought back until he was symptom-free, The (Toronto) Globe and Mail reported.
"We'll have to wait a month from now to see where he is at training camp," Shero told reporters after a report had surfaced that Crosby wouldn't be healthy by the opener.
Shero said he spoke to Crosby at his Nova Scotia, Canada, home during the weekend and was told his concussion symptoms were still present.
"I think he's had some symptoms on and off, depending on how hard he's pushed himself" in workouts, the GM said.
Crosby missed much of last season after being pulled from the lineup Jan. 5.
Neither Crosby nor his agent, Pat Brisson, could be immediately reached for comment, The Globe and Mail said.
Texas A&M prez gets OK to seek realignment
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The Texas A&M board of regents Monday gave university President Bowen Loftin the power to move the school into the Southeastern Conference.
The regents voted in College Station, Texas, to give Loftin authority to leave the Big 12 Conference amid reports the Aggies were seeking to join the SEC.
Loftin has said he began talks with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive last month and hasn't had contact with other conferences, The Dallas Morning News reported.
The SEC said during the weekend it was satisfied with its current membership of 12 schools following a meeting of SEC presidents in Atlanta to discuss expansion and Texas A&M, the newspaper reported. But the conference also said it could consider expansion in the future.
