Johnny Manziel’s punishment: half-game suspension

Johnny Football’s season will start a little late.

Quarterback Johnny Manziel was suspended for the first half of Texas A&M;’s opening game against Rice on Saturday for what the school called an “inadvertent” violation of NCAA rules by signing autographs.

The penalty appears to have brought a quick end to an investigation that could have ruined the seventh-ranked Aggies’ upcoming season.

The school issued a statement Wednesday saying that it declared the Heisman Trophy winner ineligible and that the NCAA agreed to reinstate Manziel after he sits out the first half against the underdog Owls.

The quarterback was being investigated by the NCAA for allegedly accepting money for signing autographs for memorabilia brokers, a violation of NCAA rules that could have led to a much longer suspension.

According to the statement, Texas A&M; and the NCAA “confirmed there is no evidence Manziel received money in exchange for autographs based on currently available information and statements by Manziel.”

PRO BASKETBALL

Forward Jamison signs deal with Clippers

As expected, forward Antawn Jamison signed a one-year contract with the Clippers on Wednesday for the veteran’s minimum of about $1.4 million.

The 15-year veteran who spent last season with the Lakers has career averages of 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He will probably come off the bench and back up forwards Blake Griffin and Jared Dudley.

Jamison underwent surgery in April to repair an injured wrist after averaging career lows in points (9.4), rebounds (4.8), assists (0.7) and minutes (21.5) last season.

—Ben Bolch

The Houston Rockets signed free-agent swingman Ronnie Brewer.

Brewer spent last season with the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in just over 14 minutes a game. The 6-foot-7 Brewer can play shooting guard and small forward and has carved a reputation as a hard-working defender in his seven seasons in the NBA.

ETC.

Broken ribs will sideline Labonte

Veteran NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte, 49, suffered three broken ribs in an accident while riding a bicycle and won’t drive in this weekend’s race in Atlanta.

The accident occurred near Labonte’s home in Trinity, N.C., and he was taken to a hospital, but details of the incident weren’t released.

Labonte has 21 Cup victories, the last coming in 2003, and the Texas native was the series champion in 2000.

—Jim Peltz

Sunday Rules took command down the backstretch and cruised to an 81/2-length victory in the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Sunday Rules ran six furlongs in a stakes-record time of 1:09.56, bettering the mark of 1:09.60 set by One More Angel in 1996.

The final time of Game On Dude’s winning run in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar won’t be changed after a review.

The 6-year-old gelding registered a time of 2:00.69 for the 11/4-mile race Sunday. Since then, some had suggested that the winning time should have been posted as faster.

However, Del Mar officials said Wednesday that an extensive video review of the race, along with interviews of the track’s timer and starter, and comparative time studies failed to prove any need for a change.

Game On Dude won by a record 81/2 lengths. His final time was third-fastest in the race since synthetic Polytrack was installed at Del Mar in 2007.

Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by 10-man Atletico Madrid, claiming the trophy on away goals following a 1-1 tie in the opening leg.