Sports briefs for December 16, 2004

Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 | 9:54 a.m.

Doak Walker voters considering protest

Some sports writers are considering resigning as voters for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back, because of credibility issues surrounding the 2004 election.

In the middle of the season, Doak Walker committee members changed their eligibility rules to include freshmen. Oklahoma freshman Adrian Peterson became a finalist, but North Texas freshman Jamario Thomas, the nation's leading rusher, and Michigan freshman Michael Hart, who ranks ninth, were not even chosen as semifinalists.

"It ceases to be credible to me for what they did with the freshman rule," said Dennis Dodd of CBS Sportsline, who plans to resign as a Doak Walker voter. "I thought it was ridiculous to change their policy in midstream. And how do you not at least put Thomas and Hart on your semifinalist list? There are all kinds of issues."

Later this week, in the Football Writers Association of America newsletter, FWAA president Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News will question whether members should vote in the Doak Walker.

Several voters also noted the rather surprising selection of Texas running back Cedric Benson as this year's winner. Some writers heard Peterson had won, but that late politicking favored Benson.

"Absolutely not," said Doak Walker executive director Lisa Chou, who said voter results were sealed. "I have no idea where this is coming from. I'm really distressed about this. I definitely want to get to the bottom of it."

Dodd said, "I'm hearing a lot of bad things about Benson's win. How is Benson not a Heisman finalist, yet he's named the best back in the country?"

Germans win in Japan

Miroslav Klose scored two goals as Germany beat Japan 3-0 in a soccer exhibition match today in the Yokohama Stadium, the venue where the Germans lost to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup final.

Medals stolen

A janitor at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been charged with stealing more than 100 Olympic medals, valued at nearly $500,000 and including Johnny Weismuller's 1924 medals and an ancient Greek medal. Paul Nichols Christow, 48, was discovered after the medals were sold to a collector over the Internet.

Tyson charge dropped

A charge of disorderly conduct against Mike Tyson was dropped when he presented proof in a Brooklyn courtroom of having performed 100 hours of community service, mostly working with children in gyms in Brooklyn and Arizona. The charge stemmed from a run-in with two men outside a Brooklyn hotel.

Roddick beats Fish

Playing for the first time since firing Brad Gilbert at his coach, Andy Roddick beat Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-3 in the Minnesota Tennis Challenge exhibition at St. Paul.

Ferrari extends deal

Ferrari, Formula One's oldest and most successful team, today announced it had agreen to extend its sponsorship deal with Vodafone through 2006.