Florida Sentinel Bulletin

ELMIRA, NY  — Officials at an upstate New York cemetery say someone keeps stealing a football from the grave of Ernie Davis, a college star who was the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy.

The football was discovered missing from its display case Thursday.

The ball has disappeared several times previously, only to turn up later on the cemetery grounds. Woodlawn Cemetery superintendent Tom Henegar says he suspects youthful pranksters.

Davis was an All-American at Syracuse. He won the Heisman in 1961, then died of leukemia in 1963 at age 23.

The ball at his Elmira grave has a mysterious origin. It first appeared on the headstone last summer. Officials don’t know who put it there, but they’ve treated the display with respect nonetheless.

Antoine Walker is finally saying goodbye to the 2006 NBA Championship ring he earned while playing with the Miami Heat.

On the market since 2010, the ring has reportedly finally found a buyer: a man is set to drop $21,500 on the diamond-studded chunk of bling.

Walker has been forced to sell the ring in the ongoing machinations of a staggering bankruptcy case. With $4 million in assets and $12.87 million in debt, he’s been forced to liquidate whatever possible.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The USF Bulls’ fantastic season of basketball fell one game short of the Sweet 16.

USF’s late rally came up a few shots shy of completion in a 62-56 loss to Ohio in Sunday’s third round of the NCAA Tournament at Bridgestone Arena.

What a memorable run it was, however, for a USF team (22-14) that won 10 games last season and used that motivation to secure the program’s first two NCAA tournament victories in its first trip back to the dance since 1992.

Victor Rudd Jr. and Anthony Collins led three Bulls in double figures with 13 points apiece, but the usually air-tight USF defense failed to stop Ohio’s Walter Offutt, who posted a game-high 21 points with many coming during the Bobcats’ game-deciding run midway through the second half.

USF’s offense ran out of steam late, but got off to an outstanding start against Ohio’s defense that’s top 10 in the nation in a number of categories.

Peyton Manning has made his decision … and he’s taking his talent to the Mile High City. Mort reported that Manning had advised agent Tom Condon to wrap up negotiations on what is believed to be a five-year, $95 million offer. The belief is, according to multiple reports, that the Broncos will now try to trade quarterback, Tim Tebow.

Manning called Broncos VP of Operations, John Elway on Monday morning to inform him of the decision. Manning also called the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans, the other two teams in the running for Manning’s services, to inform them.

Manning threw for Elway and a large group of Broncos and executives and coaches on Friday in North Carolina, and Elway was impressed.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —The Carolina Panthers have added more depth to their already deep stable of running backs.

The agent for free agent running back Mike Tolbert said Monday his client has signed a four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. Joel Turner said Tolbert was so excited about joining Carolina that he left over $1 million on the table on an offer from San Diego.

“That’s how bad he wanted to play there,” Turner said. “He loves the idea of playing for Ron Rivera and being on the same team with Cam Newton. He just thinks it’s a great fit.”
Turner did not release financial terms of the deal.

Tiger Woods will get a final tuneup in before the Masters after all. Almost a week after the 14-time major winner limped off the course and withdrew from the WGC-Cadillac Champ-ionship, Woods confirmed, on his website, that the Achilles felt so good following a Friday practice session, he’s going to play two tournaments in one week.

Woods will play in the Tavistock Cup, a two-day exhibition starting on Monday, followed by the Arnold Palmer Invitation at Bay Hill starting on Thursday. Some had questioned whether it would be beneficial for Woods to rest the strained Achilles prior to the Masters, but based on the way things have gone since Sunday, it would appear the injury is a non-factor at this point (at least that’s what Woods is leading many to believe).

We’ll certainly get an idea of what kind of condition the Achilles is in with Woods playing six rounds of competitive golf in a seven-day period.

New Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall says he is not concerned about being suspended by the NFL for a nightclub incident over the weekend.

The Bears acquired Marshall from Miami on Tuesday, sending two third-round draft picks to the Dolphins to obtain the No. 1 target they have been lacking for years. But the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Marshall comes with a checkered history, including a nightclub incident just days ago.

New York City police say a woman filed a complaint alleging Marshall punched her in the face. He has not been charged in the incident.

Marshall says he is excited for the truth to come out, and police had not expressed interest in speaking with him as of Friday morning.

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

DAYTON, OH- The USF Bulls roared loud, gave up little and will soon land in Nashville after handling the Cal Bears in a 65-54 win that opened up a lot of eyes around the nation late Wednesday night.

Outside of the Big East, casual USF onlookers didn’t give the Bulls much of a chance let alone think they’d make it out of the first round of the NCAA tournament. Equipped with their first-ever tourney win, head coach Stan Heath’s confident bunch is itching to make more noise in the grandest dance of them all.

The Bulls will play Temple, Friday night at 9:50 p. m.

Free agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson signed a five-year, $55.55 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, immediately becoming the team’s most dangerous receiver.

Jackson was one of the top wideouts available in free agency once San Diego decided not to give him the franchise tag.

The contract, negotiated by Schwartz and Feinsod Agency, will pay Jackson $13 million in each of his first two years, then $10 million for the third year.