Sports Briefs February 15, 2011
Soccer
Ronaldo retired from soccer Monday because his body can no longer meet the demands of the game, ending a magnificent career in which he won two World Cups with Brazil and thrived with some of Europe's top teams.
With tears on his cheeks, the 34-year-old striker announced his decision at a news conference. He played 18 years despite repeated knee trouble and leaves as a three-timer FIFA Player of the Year and the top goal scorer in World Cup history.
"It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy," said Ronaldo, with sons Alex and Ronald by his side. "Mentally, I wanted to continue, but I have to acknowledge that I lost (the fight) to my body."
Now he confronts a new stage, shadowed by all that's left behind.
"With this announcement," he said, "it feels like it's my first death."
Ronaldo said a string of injuries the past two years kept him from performing at a high level with the Brazilian club Corinthians. He also learned four years ago he had hypothyroidism, a condition that made it difficult for him to lose weight and stay in shape.
Top 25 Men
• The Kansas Jayhawks moved up one spot in the Associated Press poll following Ohio State's first defeat, a loss at Wisconsin. The Buckeyes had been No. 1 for four weeks, the last two as a unanimous choice.
Duke, which was No. 1 the first nine weeks, is No. 5. Completing the top 10 are: San Diego State, BYU, Notre Dame, Georgetown and Wisconsin.
No. 17 Syracuse 63, West Virginia 52: At Syracuse, N.Y., Brandon Triche had 20 points, Kris Joseph added 16 and The Orange (21-6, 8-6 Big East) rallied late to beat West Virginia (16-9, 7-6) to snap a three-game losing streak at home.
Kansas State 84, No. 1 Kansas 68: At Manhattan, Kan., Jacob Pullen scored a career-high 38 points and Kansas State (17-9, 5-6 Big 12) shot 56 percent from the field en route to a stunning victory over the Jayhawks (24-2, 9-2).
Greg Norman has had surgery on his left shoulder for the second time and hopes to get back to his limited golf schedule by July.
Norman had arthroscopic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, mainly to repair a torn labrum. The two-time British Open champion had surgery on the same shoulder in 1998, although his doctors said they were not related.
Norman also had surgery on his right shoulder in 2009.
The Shark said he has known for six months that he would need surgery. He says with aggressive rehabilitation, he hopes to play able to compete toward the end of July.
Norman is to return home to south Florida today to start physical therapy.
Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg is retiring from the NHL after playing in just two games during his latest comeback.
A chronic foot ailment cut short Forsberg's career. He made a brief return in 2008 and didn't play in the NHL again until this month. He took the ice in just two games, scoring no points, before deciding to call it a career.
Forsberg helped the Avalanche to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, and earning the league MVP in 2003.
Blues 3, Canucks 2: Andy McDonald and Patrik Berglund scored power-play goals to lead host St. Louis over Vancouver.
Coyotes 3, Capitals 2: At Glendale, Ariz., Ray Whitney had a goal and an assist, and Phoenix frustrated Washington's top line with a flurry of blocked shots.
Flames 9, Avalanche 1: At Denver, Jarome Iginla scored twice and Calgary routed Colorado.
- The Associated Press