Football
GREEN SUSPENSION: The National Football League lengthened the suspension of Cleveland Browns running back William Green, who received a four-game ban last month after his arrest on charges of drunken driving and marijuana possession.
Green was eligible to be reinstated to the Browns Monday, but the NFL said in a statement that his suspension was extended for "treatment purposes." NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and doctors in the league's substance-abuse program will determine when Green can return.
The Browns, who have lost three of four games in Green's absence, have four regular-season games remaining. They're tied with Pittsburgh for last place in the North Division of the American Football Conference with a 4-8 record.
COWHER APOLOGIZES: Steelers coach Bill Cowher apologized Tuesday for criticizing replay official Dale Hamer following Sunday's last-minute 24-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cowher appeared to question Hamer's competence when he asked why backup quarterback Charlie Batch's fumble during the final minute of the first half wasn't reviewed.
Because the play occurred during the final two minutes of a half, Cowher could not request a replay. Hamer, a longtime NFL official, said he determined immediately that Batch had fumbled.
COWBOYS CUT ROSS: The Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday cut kick returner and defensive back Derek Ross, who has been the team's regular nickel back.
Ross' release came a day after coach Bill Parcells talked in general about the maturity of some players. Ross, a 2002 second-round pick from Ohio State, fumbled twice on kick returns in a loss Thursday to Miami.
"It sends a message," defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said.
The move comes as Dallas (8-4) prepares to play at NFC East leader Philadelphia (9-3), which has won seven straight games since its loss Oct. 12 at Dallas.
The Cowboys activated undrafted rookie running back Erik Bickerstaff from the practice squad to replace Ross on the roster. Running back ReShard Lee, who got an injury-settlement release after having knee surgery during training camp, was added to the practice squad.
Pete Hunter probably will take over as the nickel back in the secondary. It was a role he played most of last season.
College Football
BOISE VS. TCU MAYBE: Boise State accepted a conditional bid Tuesday to play TCU in the inaugural Fort Worth Bowl on Dec. 23.
If the Big 12 gets two teams in the Bowl Championship Series as expected, the league won't have enough bowl-eligible teams to send a team to Fort Worth. That would create an at-large spot for No. 18 Boise State (11-1), the WAC champion which plays its regular season finale Saturday at Hawaii.
OREGON IN SUN BOWL: Oregon will play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 against a team from the Big Ten Conference.
The Ducks (8-4, 5-3 Pac-10) will "accept graciously" when the official bid is offered later Tuesday, Oregon spokesman Dave Williford said. The Sun Bowl is in El Paso, Texas.
The game is the seventh bowl game in a row for the Ducks, who finished tied for third in the Pac-10.
FLORIDA STATE APOLOGY: Florida State athletic director Dave Hart has apologized to Florida officials for a postgame fight following the Seminoles' 38-34 victory Saturday, but said he's not suspending any players.
Hart apologized Monday to Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley for his team's midfield dance on the Gators' emblem, which sparked a fight. He said he and his coaches will put measures in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.
CLEMSON EXTENTION: Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden got a three-year contract extension through 2010 a day after he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference's coach of the year for the second time.
Bowden's salary won't change. He'll make $1.1 million a year with another $300,000 in incentives based on regular-season victories and postseason play, the school said in a statement today.
Bowden guided Clemson to an 8-4 record, including a 5-3 mark in the ACC, and a berth in the Peach Bowl this year, the first coach in ACC history to take a school to a bowl game in each of his first five seasons. The Tigers will face a team from the Southeastern Conference in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Jan. 2.
NASCAR
WHITE HOUSE: NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth and a large group of current and former Winston Cup stars were honored Tuesday at the White House by President Bush.
With seven brightly colored Winston Cup cars arrayed behind him on the south lawn, and nine of the 2003 top 10 drivers standing alongside, the President joked, "I see a lot of the Bubbas who work in my administration have shown up."
On a cold, wind-swept afternoon, Bush, a self-proclaimed longtime stock car fan, praised Kenseth, saying, "Like all champions, he has succeeded because of his dedication and hard work."