SPORTS BRIEFS

OSU’s Warinner takes jabs at UM

4/3/2014
BLADE STAFF AND WIRE SERVICES

COLUMBUS — Toss another gas can on the fire that fuels the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

Speaking at Wednesday’s annual Ohio State spring football kickoff luncheon to benefit Alzheimer’s research, Buckeyes assistant Ed Warinner took a pair of playful jabs at Michigan and coach Brady Hoke.

Before giving a rundown of his offensive line, Warinner warmed up an audience filled mostly with boosters.

"Late in the fall, a lot of people get nervous because there are a lot of loud, annoying Wolverines [fans] that make you nervous and bother you," he told the crowd. "If you’re worried about those guys, just move your family out to Pasadena for a month and you’ll be fine. You’ll never have to deal with them."

Warinner followed the Rose Bowl crack by telling fans that Michigan’s playbooks were recently stolen.

"I heard [Michigan coach] Brady [Hoke] was really upset because he hadn't finished coloring them," he said.

Warinner added: "Please don’t put that on Twitter."

Too late. Though Warinner made the digs with a smile at a pro-scarlet event, the online stir that followed underscored the changing media world — and evoked the response to Hoke’s "chickening out" comments last year.

Hoke was also at a fan luncheon when he took issue with Notre Dame backing out of its annual series with Michigan.

NFL

WASHINGTON — The contrast couldn't have been greater for DeSean Jackson.

In a matter of days, he went from unwanted to wanted, from fired to hired, from discarded by the Philadelphia Eagles with reputation tarnished to rock star treatment and a new fat contract from the Washington Redskins.

Concerns about work ethic, attitude, and reports about gang activity seemed miles away when he was being wooed by Robert Griffin III or enjoying his recruiting-style evening out with cornerback DeAngelo Hall, receiver Pierre Garcon and rapper Wale.

On Wednesday, Jackson closed the deal, signing a three-year, $24 million contract that includes $16 million guaranteed.

The terms were disclosed by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Redskins did not announce the financial details.

"I feel they embraced me," Jackson said. "RG3, DeAngelo Hall reached out to me and made it feel like it was home. After everything that was going on the past couple of days, and the last week, that's a big step. ... I think the biggest thing about this move is finding a place where I can be happy and go out there and just be myself."

■ PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers and free agent wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

Heyward-Bey caught 29 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown in 11 games last season with Indianapolis. He spent the first four seasons of his career in Oakland, catching 140 passes for 2,071 yards and 11 touchdowns in 56 games.

Tennis

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Venus Williams advanced in the tournament where her top-ranked sister could not, battling from behind at the Family Circle Cup to defeat Chanelle Scheepers 7-5, 7-5 on Wednesday.

It was another long day for Williams, ranked No. 28 in the world, who needed 1 hour, 50 minutes to finish the straight-set victory over the South African. Williams fell behind 3-1 in the first set and trailed 4-1 in the second.

Williams now faces No. 20 Eugenie Bouchard.

No. 8 Jelena Jankovic, the tournament's No. 2 seed, later scored a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Lauren Davis.

Earlier Wednesday, Sloane Stephens was upset 6-4, 6-4 by 19-year-old Elina Svitolina, who has a career-high No. 35 ranking.

Olympics

WASHINGTON — Wearing a suit for what he said is the first time in his life, snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg walked off with honors for top male athlete at the U.S. Olympic Committee's inaugural Best of U.S. Awards.

The USOC is handed out trophies in 10 categories for the country's best performers at the Sochi Olympics and Paralympics, as voted on by fans.