OWOSSO, Mich. — Brad Van Pelt, a five-time Pro Bowl player with the New York Giants who helped form one of the NFL’s best linebacking corps in the early 1980s, has died. He was 57.
Van Pelt was found dead Tuesday by his fiancee at his home, the Giants said Wednesday. He died from an apparent heart attack.
A second-round draft choice out of Michigan State in 1973, Van Pelt played 14 seasons in the NFL, 11 with the Giants. Although he played on only one winning team in New York, he made the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons from 1976-80. His son Bradlee played quarterback for the Broncos and Houston Texans after leading Colorado State to bowl games in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
• The San Diego Chargers placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on running back Darren Sproles, tendering him a one-year contract offer of approximately $6.6 million.
• Cornerback Kelvin Hayden and the Indianapolis Colts agreed to a five-year deal worth $43 million.
• All-pro punter Shane Lechler agreed to a four-year contract to stay with the Oakland Raiders.
• Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has decided to test the free-agent market, while the Titans agreed to contract terms with kicker Rob Bironas.
• New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said his recovery from knee surgery remains on schedule and he doesn’t see any reason he won’t be ready for the 2009 opener.
• The Baltimore Ravens used the franchise tag on linebacker Terrell Suggs, a transaction that cost $10.2 million against the 2009 salary cap.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on receiver Antonio Bryant.
• The Arizona Cardinals put a nonexclusive franchise tag on linebacker Karlos Dansby.
Bulls acquire Miller, Salmons.
The Chicago Bulls acquired center Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings for four players, including forwards Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni.
Sacramento also got former Cherry Creek High standout Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons in the deal, but immediately traded Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Ike Diogu and cash.
• Trail Blazers center Greg Oden is day to day because of a bone chip in his left knee.
• The Oklahoma City Thunder rescinded its trade with New Orleans, sending Tyson Chandler back to the Hornets after the center failed a physical.
• Los Angeles Clippers forward Zach Randolph has been suspended two games without pay by the NBA for striking Phoenix Suns forward Louis Amundson in the face during Tuesday’s game.
Footnotes.
Mike Whitmarsh, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist in beach volleyball, killed himself through carbon monoxide poisoning in the garage of a friend’s home in Solana Beach, Calif. He was 46. Whitmarsh also played basketball at the University of San Diego.
• Meseret Defar of Ethiopia broke the women’s 5,000-meter indoor world record by more than three seconds at the GE Gala in Stockholm. Defar was timed in 14 minutes, 24.37 seconds. Tirunesh Dibaba, also of Ethiopia, set the previous mark of 14:27.42 in 2007.
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