Florida Sentinel Bulletin

ASHBURN, VA — Clinton Portis is announcing his retirement, nearly two years after he played his last NFL game.

The Washington Redskins said Tuesday that Portis and owner Dan Snyder held a retirement news conference Thursday.

Portis played two seasons with the Denver Broncos and then seven with the Redskins. He is most remembered for the colorful array of characters he created each week during the team’s drive to the playoffs in 2005. His 1,516 yards rushing that season set a franchise record.

NEW YORK — Jets nose tackle Kenrick Ellis will not be suspended by the NFL after the league completed its review of his legal situation following his guilty plea to misdemeanor assault and battery.

Ellis was sentenced to 45 days in a Virginia prison in May after a fight while in college at Hampton University in 2010. By entering an Alford plea, he didn’t admit guilt, but acknowledged that prosecutors could prove the case against him. Under an agreement with the court, the 2011 third-round draft pick was granted a split-sentence – 23 days in prison before the season, and the remaining 22 beginning next March 1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano said running back LeGarrette Blount is not expected to miss much time after injuring a groin late in the se-cond quarter of their 30-7 loss to Tennessee on Friday night.

With the Bucs trailing 20-7, Blount, a starter in the backfield last season, took a hit to his left leg during a second-down run with 2:18 left in the half. He remained down on the field for several minutes before rising to his feet and gingerly walking off flanked by trainers. He didn’t return to action, but remained in uniform and sat on the bench throughout the second half.

But Schiano said the injury was sustained by how Blount’s leg was bent backward.

Titans Beat Bucs 30-17 As QBs Seek Consistency

There’s still time left in the preseason to make some tweaks, with neither Tennessee nor Tampa Bay where they want to be at the quarterback position yet.

For the Titans, Friday night was supposed to be a coming-out party for second-year Washington product Jake Locker in his first NFL start.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers were hoping their second preseason game would be one in which Josh Freeman would begin to find chemistry with his revamped receiving corps.

The result? A combined 8 for 21 passing in the Titans’ 30-7 win.

Freeman, whose team took an early 7-0 lead on his 2-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams before trailing off the rest of the way, said he isn’t panicking about where the offense is right now.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with Olympic silver medalist Jeff Demps, who played running back at Florida,but was not drafted by an NFL team because he said he wanted to focus on his track career.

Patriots player personnel director Nick Caserio said in his meeting with reporters on Friday that the team had nothing to report. But later in the night, after reports began to surface, the Patriots issued a press release, announcing the signing of the 22-year-old sprinter.

Demps earned the Olympic silver medal in the 4×100 relay as part of the team that finished second to Jamaica at the London Games last week. His football agent, Daniel Rose, said that several NFL teams were interested in the former running back from Florida.

Tampa Bay and the New York Jets were among the teams that confirmed an interest. Caserio confirmed that the Patriots scouted Demps, but he went undrafted after saying he was giving up football to focus on track and the Olympics.

NEW ORLEANS  — Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu has entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston since being dismissed from the Tigers, according to a television report.

Mathieu’s adoptive father, Tryone Mathieu, says that the 20-year-old star cornerback and punt returner known as the “Honey Badger” has been at the Right Step recovery center and is being counseled by former NBA player John Lucas.

Tyrone Mathieu says his son is committed to restoring his health and won’t play football until he is confident that his rehab is complete. That may rule out the possibility of Mathieu transferring to a school at the FCS level and playing this season, after which he would be eligible for the NFL draft.

OKLAHOMA CITY  — The Oklahoma City Thunder took a big step toward sticking around as an NBA championship contender.

The Thunder and general manager Sam Presti still face difficult decisions in the team’s quest to remain a title threat for the long haul after reaching the NBA Finals last season, but reaching a contract extension with blocks leader Serge Ibaka is certainly a good start.

Ibaka came to terms on the deal on Saturday as the Thunder locked up another key member of their nucleus while also putting into question whether the small-market team can afford to keep Sixth Man of the Year James Harden beyond next season..

Ibaka posted on Twitter that he was happy for the chance to play for the Thunder for five more years.

Tonight’s (Friday) game at Raymond James Stadium between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans has been blacked out.

On Tuesday, the Bucs confirmed they had failed to sell out the game, despite their use of the NFL’s new 85% threshold.

The league changed its blackout policy this year, allowing teams to avoid blackouts and declare sellouts if 85% of non-premium seats are purchased 72 hours before kickoff. The Bucs did not reach that threshold.

The game is scheduled for live telecast at 7:30, and will be aired on a delay basis on WTSP at 11:35 p. m. Friday, and noon Sunday. The game will also be aired on the NFL Network 10 a. m. Sunday.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – With the fall football season quickly approaching, Florida A&M University (FAMU) announces an enhanced football experience and halftime entertainment for fans of FAMU football.

This 2012 football season takes on a special meaning as the university celebrates 125 years of excellence.

The season, which kicks off September 1 in Nashville against Tennessee State University, includes four home games, each with a different game experience that fans will appreciate and get excited about.

“We have a promising team this football season ready and excited to showcase their talent on the gridiron,” shares Derek Horne, FAMU athletics director. “Our guys have been putting in extra time with drills over the summer, and adding the excitement of the enhanced halftime experience is sure to make this a very exciting football season as FAMU celebrates 125 years.”

The FAMU Athletics program takes on a brand new energy this season unveiling a new theme – “Our Team, Our Time. Respect the Game.” In addition to the new theme, each game this season includes a halftime entertainment production that includes the voice of  FAMU football, Joe Bullard, serving as game MC and an Old School vs. New School DJ set to keep fans excited and energized throughout the entire game. The halftime segment for each game is tight lipped for now, but fans can expect special performances from major recording artists and a contest to win a meet and greet with the artists.

In addition to the game experience, FAMU Athletics is partnering with Visit Tallahassee to create sports travel packages that include hotel stay and a game ticket. The entire marketing program will be focused on driving game attendance and overnight stay during home games while creating value and an enhanced game experience for fans.

Opponents for this year’s home games include Hampton University as the opening game on September 15, Savannah State University on October 13, South Carolina State University on October 20, and the homecoming game celebrating FAMU’s 125th anniversary on November 10 against North Carolina Central University.

For more information regarding the 2012 football season, visit FAMUAthletics-.com or call (850) 599-3868.

NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire is set to release a new book series for middle-school-aged children.

The books are to be published by Scholastic in a series called STAT: Standing Tall and Talented.

Co-written by Stoudemire with the Scholastic team, the New York Knicks captain’s first book of the series, Home Court, is about his life as a 6’11? middle school student who plays basketball, baseball and football with his friends in Lake Wales, the small Florida city where he grew up.

According to a Scholastic spokesperson, the series is likely to be ongoing, although just three books have been commissioned to date.