Seven selected to NFL Hall of Fame
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Four modern-era players, including Cris Carter, Larry Allen, Jonathan Ogden and Warren Sapp, were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday.
Also getting the nod for enshrinement at Canton, Ohio, were Coach Bill Parcells and senior nominees Curley Culp and Dave Robinson.
The announcements were made in New Orleans on the eve of Super Bowl XLVII, pitting San Francisco against Baltimore.
Carter, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection with the Philadelphia, Minnesota and Miami from 1987-2002, made it in his sixth year as a finalist. He compiled 1,101 receptions with 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns over his 16-year career.
Ogden earned 11 Pro Bowl selections during his 12 NFL seasons as an offensive lineman, all spent with Baltimore. He was the team's first-ever draft pick in 1996.
Allen, another offensive lineman, also earned 11 trips to the Pro Bowl while playing 12 seasons with Dallas.
Sapp -- a seven-time Pro Bowl pick at defensive end -- played for Tampa Bay and Oakland from 1995-2007, and was named the 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Buccaneers.
Parcells, meanwhile, coached the New York Giants to two Super Bowl wins, as well as leading New England, New York Jets and Dallas into the playoffs while compiling a 172-130-1 record.
Brazil's Melo, Soares post win over Bryans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares bounced the top-ranked American duo of Bob and Mike Bryan Saturday and Brazil stayed alive in first-round Davis Cup play.
The Brazilians were on the verge of elimination after Sam Querrey and John Isner each recorded singles victories Friday to put the United States ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five series.
But Melo and Soares outlasted the Bryans 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 in a match that lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours, keeping their country's hopes alive.
The Bryans -- the world's No. 1 doubles tandem -- came into the Saturday's meeting with a 22-2 all-time Davis Cup mark.
Mickelson keeps up torrid pace in Phoenix
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Phil Mickelson fired a 7-under-par 64 Saturday, extending his torrid run at the Phoenix Open by forging a six-stroke lead at 24-under-par 189 after 54 holes.
Mickelson knocked in birdies on five of the last six holes at TPC Scottsdale, ending the day with the second-lowest 54-hole total in PGA Tour history.
He also matched Mark Calcavecchia's 2001 tournament record with the effort, which came after he barely missed carding a 60 in Thursday's first round.
Mickelson is seeking his third Phoenix Open title and 41st win of his career.
Ending the day in second place at minus-18 was Brandt Snedeker, who registered a 6-under 65.
Padraig Harrington fired a 63 to grab a share of third place at 16-under-par 197 with Ryan Moore (65).
One shot further back was Troy Matteson (66), while Brendan Steele (65) and Bill Haas (70) each finished at 14-under 199.
A-Rod denies latest steroid report
NEW YORK, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez denies he took steroids provided by a reputed Miami dealer being investigated by prosecutors and Major League Baseball.
A spokesman for Rodriguez told the New York Daily News Saturday the all-star third baseman rejected the detailed account of his alleged dealings with self-styled biochemist Anthony Bosch.
"The allegations are not true," the representative said.
Rodriguez has denied being treated by Bosch, who media reports indicate was linked to other ballplayers including Melky Cabrera and Nelson Cruz.
ESPN.com said this week Bosch personally injected Rodriguez with banned substances at Rodriguez's home.
Sources told the Daily News baseball investigators would interview the players named in the original Miami New Times report Tuesday.
