Friday's sports briefs

Last update: July 19, 2008 - 12:05 AM

NFL

Packers voice support for GM

Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy restated his support for General Manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy on Friday in the standoff with Brett Favre.

Murphy attended a meeting of the team's executive committee Friday. He was not available for comment afterward, but team spokesman Aaron Popkey said Murphy has "full confidence" in how Thompson and McCarthy are handling this matter.

Favre is having second thoughts about football after retiring in March. But the Packers have since committed to moving on without the three-time MVP, causing a public rift between the team and one of its greatest players.

olympics

Gymnast Worley breaks fibula

Shayla Worley suffered a broken right fibula just below the knee during warmups for the Olympic selection camp at New Waverly, Texas, essentially ending her chances of making the U.S. women's Olympic gymnastics team.

• Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee sprinter, was left off South Africa's 1,600-meter relay team for the Summer Games. Pistorius couldn't hit the 400-meter qualifying time of 45.55 seconds, despite running a personal best 46.25 on Wednesday at a meet in Lucerne, Switzerland.

• Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points as Germany beat Brazil 78-65 in Athens to gain the semifinals of the Olympic basketball qualifier. Greece, Puerto Rico and Croatia also won. Germany will face Croatia today and Greece will play Puerto Rico.

AROUND THE HORN

WNBA: Deanna Nolan scored 26 points as the Detroit Shock cruised to a 99-62 victory over the Washington Mystics. ... Sheryl Swoopes had 15 points as the Seattle Storm beat the Indiana Fever 65-59 in Indianapolis. ... Jia Perkins scored 15 points as the host Chicago Sky beat Connecticut 73-65. ... Crystal Kelly scored 15 points as the Sacramento Monarchs beat the visiting Atlanta Dream 77-73.

NBA: Point guard Deron Williams signed a contract extension with Utah that will keep him with the Jazz through at least the 2011-12 season.

College: Basketball coach Ernie Kent and Oregon agreed to a contract extension through the 2012-13 season.

Boxing: Junior welterweight contender Edgar (El Chamaco) Santana was among 12 people arrested in New York on charges of taking part in a cocaine trafficking ring.

NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins coach Michel Therrien agreed to a three-year contract that goes through the 2010-11 season. ... The Buffalo Sabres agreed to a five-year, $31.25 million extension with goalie Ryan Miller.

from news services