Football
MCNABB ADDRESSES 'RUMORS': Donovan McNabb doesn't want to leave Philadelphia, isn't jealous over the success Jeff Garcia had replacing him as Eagles quarterback and wasn't muzzled by coach Andy Reid.
"The so-called rumors that have started, they're false," McNabb said. "I'm a Philadelphia Eagle and will continue to be a Philadelphia Eagle, hopefully, for more years to come, and hopefully will retire as an Eagle."
With that, McNabb began a 4-minute speech Wednesday at the Super Bowl media center, where he was appearing at a news conference where Campbell's Soup announced it was donating 1 million cans to food banks nationwide. It was his first time speaking at length with reporters since tearing a knee ligament Nov. 19 and, as expected, McNabb had plenty to say.
"It's unfortunate we have to sit here now to discuss this," McNabb said.
COWBOYS TAKING TIME: The Dallas Cowboys won't name Bill Parcells' replacement until after the Super Bowl. In his first public comments since Parcells retired Jan. 22, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Wednesday he wouldn't have a decision on a new coach until next week. Jones has already interviewed eight candidates, and might add to that list.
"We've got a good football team, and I've got to get this right," Jones said. "We've got to make a good decision when we select the next coach. We're going to have the opportunity and a plan in place that will allow us to do that."
By waiting until after the Super Bowl on Sunday, Jones could interview Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Jim Caldwell, the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for the Indianapolis Colts. NFL rules prohibit teams from talking to those coaches until after the Super Bowl.
INJURED LINEBACKER SUES: Chargers linebacker Steve Foley has sued the city of Coronado and the off-duty police officer who shot him three times outside his home, accusing the rookie officer of negligence and excessive force. The civil suit seeks unspecified damages from Officer Aaron Mansker and the city, a peninsular enclave across the bay from downtown San Diego.
Foley was shot early Sept. 3 near his home in suburban Poway by Mansker, a 23-year-old Coronado police officer who was off-duty at the time and suspected the linebacker of drunken driving.
Horse racing
BARBARO HONORED AT BIRTHPLACE: Greg Burchell doesn't know if it'll be days or weeks. For now, he just can't bear leading any of the 26 horses on his farm into a certain stall inside barn No. 4.
The stall is different from the others because a diamond-shaped opening allows the occupant to stick his nose out for a better view. It's also the place Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was born and spent many of his early days.
"We're letting it rest," Burchell said of the stall. "It'd be sacrilege to put a horse in there after Barbaro died."
The horse was euthanized Monday at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, where he was rushed after breaking down in last May's Preakness. In Barbaro's birthplace, the horse country of central Kentucky, the death is being taken hard.
Barbaro was foaled before dawn on Apr. 29, 2003, at what is now Springmint Farm. This week, wreaths and a bouquet of flowers were placed near a small sign outside the Springmint gate that reads "Birthplace of Barbaro." Condolences for Barbaro have been expressed across central Kentucky, including the farms were his mother and sire now live.
FORSBERG PROGRESSING: Philadelphia Flyers center Peter Forsberg had a second straight day of near-trouble-free skating Wednesday with his troublesome right ankle.
"It looks good, I'm positive," he said. "It felt better yesterday. I don't think it's 100 percent, but it's 10 times better than it used to be. I was very happy yesterday, and it felt pretty good at practice today. We'll keep on working on it."