Football players say they’ll stay at Penn State

More than 30 Penn State football players said they’re staying in State College despite NCAA sanctions that will keep the Nittany Lions out of a bowl game for the rest of their careers.

Flanked by more than two dozen teammates, seniors Michael Mauti and Michael Zordich vowed to restore Penn State to greatness after an unprecedented child sex abuse scandal that shattered the program’s image as a place where “success with honor” was the rule.

“We want to let the nation know that we’re proud of who we are,” Zordich said Wednesday. “We’re the true Penn Staters, and we’re going to stick together through this.” Also, quarterback Matt McGloin tweeted that he planned to stay.

Neither Zordich nor Mauti — both sons of former Penn State players — mentioned former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, convicted of multiple counts of sex abuse, by name.

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Penn State faced the threat of a four-year ban on playing football before the NCAA imposed sanctions this week over the school’s handling of the sex abuse scandal, a university spokesman said.

David La Torre said the potential for the multiyear “death penalty” was floated during discussions between Penn State President Rodney Erickson and NCAA officials before Penn State was hit Monday with a $60-million fine, a four-year bowl game ban, reduced football scholarships and the vacating of 112 wins.

ETC.

Clippers, Turiaf agree to deal

The Clippers and free agent Ronny Turiaf have agreed to a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract worth $1.146 million, said NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Turiaf, who is 6 feet 10, 245 pounds, will be a backup power forward and center for the Clippers.

Turiaf played his first three years in the NBA with the Lakers.

He has played for five teams over a seven-year career, including the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat last season.

—Broderick Turner

Eddie Johnson scored in the 91st minute to give the Major League Soccer All-Stars a 3-2 victory over Chelsea at Chester, Pa.

Chris Wondolowski and Chris Pontius also scored goals for the All-Stars at PPL Park, the home of the Philadelphia Union.

Galaxy star David Beckham received the loudest pregame ovation only hours after arriving from London. Beckham was set to head back to London immediately after the game because he has a role in the opening ceremony at the Olympics.

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Cal Ripken Jr.’s 74-year-old mother was found with her hands bound in the back seat of her car Wednesday after she said she was kidnapped at gunpoint a day earlier at her home outside Baltimore and driven around blindfolded by her abductor, police and neighbors said.

Investigators do not know the kidnapper’s motive and there was no ransom demand for Vi Ripken’s release, Aberdeen (Md.) Police Chief Henry Trabert said at a news conference.

When asked if police believe the kidnapper knew whom he was abducting, Trabert did not answer, saying investigators don’t know the motive or if the perpetrator has any ties to the Ripken family.

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The Hornets, Suns and Timberwolves have agreed to a multiplayer trade sending 7-foot center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick from Phoenix to New Orleans, while moving forward Wesley Johnson and a first-round draft pick from Minnesota to Phoenix, a person familiar with the deal said.

The person told the Associated Press about the trade on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced pending the completion of some routine logistical matters.

The deal also sends guard Jerome Dyson and retiring center Brad Miller’s $5.1-million contract from New Orleans to Minnesota, allowing the Timberwolves to clear space under the NBA’s salary cap as they pursue free agents. Minnesota also will receive two second-round draft picks from New Orleans, and the Hornets will receive cash.

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The Utah Jazz agreed to terms of a contract with guard Randy Foye. Terms were not released.

Foye played in 65 games with the Clippers last season, starting 48. He averaged 11.0 points, 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds while helping the Clippers reach the second round of the playoffs.

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Suspended driver AJ Allmendinger said he will participate in NASCAR’s substance-abuse recovery program, a sign that he wants to get back to racing as soon as possible and avoid a fight over the accuracy of his failed drug test.