Request for DNA withdrawn in Ben Roethlisberger case

Georgia investigators have withdrawn their request for a DNA sample from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student at a nightclub, an attorney for the player said Tuesday.

Ed Garland told the Associated Press that officials withdrew the request a week ago, but declined comment on why.

Police are looking into the claim that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted the woman early March 5 at the club in Milledgeville. Roethlisberger has not been charged, and Garland has disputed the claim and has hired his own team to investigate.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Henderson signs with USC

After a near two-month wait, USC finally put the finishing touches on its top-rated football recruiting class when Seantrel Henderson signed a letter of intent with the Trojans.

Henderson, a 6-foot-8, 330-pound offensive lineman from Minnesota, was regarded by many as the top prospect nationally.

Rivals.com rated USC’s recruiting class as the best in college football.

Henderson announced on Feb. 3 that he had chosen the Trojans, but his father said that night that his son would not formalize the commitment until after USC went before the NCAA infractions committee later that month. A decision on possible sanctions against USC for allegations related to former Trojans football player Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo is not expected until late April of May.

—Gary Klein

The NCAA has denied Alabama’s appeal of a ruling vacating 21 football victories from 2005-07 and records from three other sports for widespread violations involving free textbooks.

Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio says Mark Dell, B.J. Cunningham, Chris Rucker and J’Michael Deane have been reinstated. The four players were suspended after a Nov. 22 campus fight with a fraternity.

ETC.

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes has been cleared to resume baseball activities after doctors determined his thyroid levels have returned to normal.

Reyes was diagnosed in early March with a hyperactive thyroid, and doctors prescribed rest and a change in diet. He was told to refrain from physical activity and was monitored and tested weekly in New York.

Olympic silver medalists Pang Qing and Tong Jian skated a flawless and elegant short program to take the lead in the pairs competition at the World Figure Skating Championships in Turin, Italy. Pang and Tong are two points ahead of Russia’s Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov.

U.S. champions Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett are in sixth place. Fellow Americans Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig are ninth.

Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won the ice dance compulsories.

Former Michigan State basketball star and Detroit Pistons player Mateen Cleaves has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Mount Morris Township, Mich. Cleaves was a captain for Michigan State’s 2000 NCAA championship team.

Vijay Singh has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla., because of a back injury.

Julia Mancuso won the giant slalom in the U.S. Alpine skiing championships in Wilmington, N.Y., becoming the most accomplished skier at nationals and taking her fourth title in the discipline. Mancuso’s 11th national title moved her ahead of Andrea Mead Lawrence.