Indianapolis Colts Cut Peyton Manning
According to USAtoday.com, the Colts will hold a conference Wednesday morning to announce that they are releasing four-time MVP Peyton Manning. Turning 36 on March 24, Peyton missed most of last season due to a neck injury after playing with Indianapolis for 14 years. Now with the top pick in the draft, the Colts are able to pick from college quarterback stars Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin. That being said, the loss of the star player will be painful for both the Colts and their fans. Manning holds club records for passing yards (58,828), touchdowns (399), attempts (7,210), completions (4,682), completion percentage (64.9%) and passer rating (94.9). Ranking fourth in history, Manning holds a 141-67 record as a starter only trailing Brett Favre, John Elway and Dan Marino. He also was the MVP of Super Bowl XLI, defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17. The Manning legacy will live on in Indianapolis, a city marked by the Lucas Oil Stadium, the Lombardi Trophy and Peyton Manning's Children Hospital. All eyes look to where Manning might end up now. Possible teams interested in Manning include the Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals and Broncos. Recovering from a neck injury, Manning looks to end his career as well as Joe Montana, who finished his career in Kansas City after injuring his elbow. Whatever the case, Peyton Manning will forever be remembered as an Indianapolis Colt.
VCU Receives Automatic March Madness Bid
According to ESPN.com, VCU will be heading back to the NCAA tournament this year. Last night, the Rams finished out a 28-6 season, defeating Drexel, who looked for their 20th consecutive win in a row and their first March Madness bid since 1996. The game looked to heavily favor VCU as the Rams found a 16-point cushion after the first half of play. Darius Theus led VCU with 16 points, fol lowed closely by Treveon Graham with 13. The Rams boasted a six possession game after the first half, but Drexel made their way back, draining 37 points in the second half compared to VCU's 24. The Dragons pulled within six with nine minutes to go in the game. They would cut the lead to one with just 12.7 seconds remaining, shocking the Rams, who missed four straight free-throws in the last two minutes. Drexel's Damion Lee led the Dragons with 20 points, followed by Chris Fouch with 15 and Frantz Massenat with 14. A common spectacle among the March Madness tournament, the game was decided in exciting fashion. Finally regaining their composure, the Rams were able to hold off Drexel in the last few seconds of play. Racing down the court with approximately 10 seconds remain ing, Drexel's Messenat back-rimmed a 3-pointer to tie the game, giving VCU the win by a three-point margin, 59-56. Champions of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, the Rams finished their season with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament later this month, following last year's final four run.
British Olympic Doctor Warns Athletes about Shaking Hands with Rivals
The British government rejected a warning by the Olympic Team's head top doctor Ian McCurdie, that athletes should avoid shaking hands at the upcoming London games. The top doctor said athletes should avoid physical contact while greeting rivals because it could spread germs, according to cnsnews.com. Asked if the traditional Brit ish greeting of a handshake should be off-limits, McCurdie said, "I think, within reason, yes." He also commented, "Almost certainly, I be lieve, the greatest threat to performance is illness and possibly injury." Even British athletes are a bit perplexed by the head doctor's advice. Champion Olympic rower Zac Purchase posted on Twitter, saying, "the advice seems a little pointless unless you are going to run around with disinfectant for every surface you come in contact with." Looking to place better than their fourth place finish in Beijing, Britain looks to attain more than 47 medals. Achieving such success through avoiding physical contact seems unconvincing to most, yet McCurdie stands by his advice. "Hand hygiene is it. It is all about hand hygiene."