Journalism
ROCK HONORED: Deseret News sports columnist Brad Rock has been named national writer of the week by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Rock was honored for his recent column on John Stockton turning 40.
Football
SHARPE REJOINS BRONCOS: Shannon Sharpe rejoined the Denver Broncos on Friday, signing a free-agent deal with the team he helped win two Super Bowls during the 1990s.
Sharpe, the NFL's career leader in catches by a tight end, played with the Baltimore Ravens the last two seasons, winning the 2001 Super Bowl.
The 33-year-old Sharpe has caught 692 passes for 8,604 yards, also a record for tight ends, in 12 NFL seasons. He had 552 catches for 6,983 yards with the Broncos from 1990-99.
The eight-time Pro Bowl choice signed with Baltimore as an unrestricted free agent after the 1999 season.
Sharpe caught 73 passes for 811 yards and two touchdowns last season.
BEARS INK CHANDLER: The Chicago Bears found a backup for Jim Miller. Chris Chandler, who led the Atlanta Falcons to the 1999 Super Bowl, signed a three-year deal with the Bears worth $4.5 million Friday.
49ERS SIGN STONE: The San Francisco 49ers signed two-time Pro Bowl guard Ron Stone to a four-year, $9 million contract Friday, likely finishing the team's successful navigation of the free-agent market.
Stone made the Pro Bowl as a right guard in each of the past two seasons with the New York Giants, where he was known as a dominant run-blocker.
Hockey
JAGR GOING TO WORLDS: Forward Jaromir Jagr, the Washington Capitals' leading scorer, intends to represent the Czech Republic at the world ice hockey championships later this month.
The Capitals, out of playoff contention, played the Sabres on Friday and wrap up their season against New Jersey on Saturday. The Czech Republic national team is scheduled to begin a pre-tournament training camp in Prague on Thursday. The tournament begins April 26 in Sweden.
Jagr could be one of a number of Washington players competing at the tournament. Forward Peter Bondra said he plans to represent Slovakia, while Don Waddell, general manager of the U.S. team, said he plans to invite Capitals defensemen and Utah native Steve Konowalchuk and Ken Klee to play.
U.S. U-18 WINS: At Tranava, Slovakia, the U.S. National Under-18 Team earned its second shutout victory at the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship with a 10-0 win over the Ukraine on Friday. Stephen Werner, Zach Parise and Patrick Eaves scored two goals apiece.