SI Sportsman of the Year Awarded to Drew Brees
Drew Brees was honored as Sports Illustrated’s sportsman of the year for his championship on the field and his charity off it.
Brees became the award’s 57th recipient when the magazine made the announcement Tuesday on the “Today” show. The quarterback led the long-suffering New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl title in February, lifting the spirits of the hurricane-battered city.
But the cover story notes he’s done much more than inspire with his brilliant play. Since Brees joined the Saints in 2006 months after Hurricane Katrina, his foundation has worked with nearly 50 New Orleans schools and organizations to aid in recovery.
In Philadelphia, Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson says he and his teammates are “on to the next game,” and downplayed any speculation that he’s unhappy with head coach Andy Reid, his teammates or his diminished role in Philadelphia’s offense.
Jackson, on pace for the fewest catches of his three NFL seasons, was visibly upset after Sunday’s 31-26 loss in Chicago. He managed only two receptions for 26 yards and didn’t speak with reporters.
Subsequent reports indicated that Reid, who blasted the entire team in the locker room after the loss, singled out Jackson for criticism.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was wearing a protective boot on his sprained right foot but is expected to play Sunday when Pittsburgh and Baltimore face off for first place in the AFC North.
Detroit Lions quarterback Shaun Hill appeared to have a splint on the index finger of his throwing hand at practice Tuesday. He stood off to the side while Drew Stanton and Zac Robinson took snaps. Coach Jim Schwartz wouldn’t comment because he didn’t want to tip his hand to Chicago, Detroit’s next foe.
San Francisco placed running back Frank Gore on season-ending injured reserve after he fractured his right hip during the Niners’ 27-6 win at Arizona on Monday night.
Tampa Bay released safety Sabby Piscitelli and placed safety Cody Grimm (Virginia Tech) and left guard Davin Joseph on injured reserve. Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $25,000 for his hit on Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Harrison now has four fines this season totaling $125,000.
Harrison drew a roughing-the-passer penalty for hitting Fitzpatrick helmet-first in the back during Pittsburgh’s 19-16 overtime victory Sunday. After the game, the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker said the play didn’t warrant a fine.
Harrison previously was fined $75,000 for a helmet hit on Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, $20,000 for a helmet-to-the-back hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees and $5,000 for a hit on Titans quarterback Vince Young.
On Monday, the league rejected Harrison’s appeals of the $75,000 and $20,000 fines.
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