Wizards
Suspended Arenas pleads guilty to felony gun charge
Wizards star Gilbert Arenas pleaded guilty Friday to carrying a pistol without a license in Washington, a felony conviction that could jeopardize his future in the NBA. Arenas pleaded guilty to a single count of violating the city's strict gun laws as part of a plea bargain in D.C. Superior Court. He will remain free at least until his sentencing March 26. The charge stems from a Dec. 21 incident in which Arenas acknowledged he stored guns in his locker at Verizon Center and took them out to play a joke on a teammate. The NBA has suspended him indefinitely. A pre-sentence report is not yet complete, but defense attorney Kenneth Wainstein said Friday that prosecutors have agreed not to seek a sentence longer than the low end of sentencing guidelines, which call for six months to two years. That could include probation, jail time or some combination. Judge Robert E. Morin emphasized he is not bound by prosecutors' recommendation. Arenas "accepted full responsibility for his actions, acknowledged that those actions were wrong and against the law, and has apologized to all who have been affected by his conduct," Wainstein said in a statement.
Soccer
Chicago picks ex-Terp Yates in second round of MLS draft
Former University of Maryland soccer standout Drew Yates, a Severna Park native who played two seasons at Archbishop Curley, was chosen as the 29th pick in the second round of Thursday's Major League Soccer SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. The midfielder-forward started all 23 games for the Terrapins in his senior season this fall, scoring five goals and adding three assists to earn second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. In his four-year college career, he appeared in all 92 games and finished with 14 goals and 13 assists. Yates spent his first two years of high school at Curley before moving on to the U.S. Soccer Residency Program for one year and then graduating from DeMatha. He also was a member of the Casa Mia Bays club team, which won two national championships.
- Glenn Graham
Women's Professional Soccer: : Goalkeeper Mary Casey became the first Terp ever selected in the WPS draft when the Los Angeles Sol picked her in the fourth round (36th overall) on Friday. As a senior in 2009, Casey anchored a defense that posted nine shutouts and held opponents to less than one goal per game. She finished her career with a school-record 1.03 career goals-against average. ... Washington Freedom selected University of Colorado defender Nikki Marshall in the first round (seventh overall) of the draft.
Et cetera
Ripken Foundation to honor three at February Aspire Gala
The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation announced its honorees for its sixth annual Aspire Gala. Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Ravens minority owner Art Modell and former Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann will be recognized at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on Feb. 12. Joyner-Kersee will be presented with the Aspire Award, Modell will be honored with the Charles M. Cawley Legacy Award, and Ehrmann will receive the 2010 Cal Sr. Award. Each is being recognized because of his or her work to make a difference in the lives of others. Individual tickets are $1,000 and can be purchased by visiting RipkenFoundation.org or by calling 877-RIPKEN1. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction, and then move into the dinner, live auction and program featuring former Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken, and the honorees. Among those attending are Hall of Famers Gaylord Perry and Earl Weaver, former Orioles B.J. Surhoff and Ken Singleton, former Baltimore Colt Bruce Laird and ex-Washington Redskin Brig Owens.
NFL: : The Chicago Bears signed former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice (Maryland) to be the team's offensive line coach. Tice spent the past four years in Jacksonville as the Jaguars assistant head coach. He oversaw tight ends the past three seasons. Before arriving in Jacksonville, Tice spent 14 seasons with the Vikings as a player and coach. Tice compiled a 33-34 record as Vikings coach.
- From Sun staff and news services