tions Sashi Brown earlier this week.The days of winning are coming. Im confident of that. We just have to stick with the plan an

TURKISH STADIUM BOMBINGISTANBUL -- Turkey declared a national day of mourning and paid tribute to the dead Sunday after two bombings in Istanbul killed 38 people and wounded 155 others near a soccer stadium. The carnage was claimed by a Turkey-based Kurdish militant group.The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, or TAK, said two of its members had sacrificed their lives in the Saturday night attack that targeted security forces outside the Besiktas stadium shortly after the conclusion of a match.It described the blasts as reprisal for state violence in the southeast and the ongoing imprisonment of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. TAK is considered by authorities as a PKK offshoot.The twin car-and-suicide bombings near the stadium enraged top officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who vowed to hunt down the perpetrators. The attack was the latest large-scale assault to traumatize a nation confronting an array of security threats.The attack targeted police officers, killing 30 of them along with seven civilians and an unidentified person, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters. He said 13 people had been arrested in connection with the terrorist act.WILL SMITH TRIALNEW ORLEANS -- The man who fatally shot retired New Orleans Saints defensive leader Will Smith was convicted of manslaughter, ending a week-long trial in which the defendant insisted he only fired because the popular football star was drunk, violent and had grabbed a gun following a traffic crash on the night of April 9.Smith was part of the Saints team that lifted the stricken citys spirits in the years after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, helping carry the team to a winning season in 2006 and a Super Bowl win four years later. His death at the hands of Cardell Hayes, 29, was stunning, even for a city where residents are accustomed to reports of multiple gunfire deaths every week.Hayes faces a possible sentence of up to 40 years in prison at his sentencing on Feb. 17. Jurors opted for the lesser charge rather than second-degree murder, which would have carried a mandatory life sentence.Hayes also was convicted of attempted manslaughter for wounding Smiths wife, Racquel Smith.OLYMPICSMOSCOW -- Russia will accept an International Olympic Committee plan to retest all drug test samples given by its athletes at the 2012 and 2014 Olympics, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko said.The IOCs declaration Friday followed the publication of a report by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren. This alleged that more than 1,000 Russian athletes, including medal winners at the London and Sochi games, had benefited from a state-backed campaign of doping and drug test cover-ups.Mutko, whose brief as deputy prime minister covers sports policy, also suggested that he does not expect Russia to be barred from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. He said the IOC set a precedent when it decided against a blanket ban for Russia from this summers Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.PRO FOOTBALLNEW YORK -- The NFL says no formal complaint was filed last week by the New York Giants, who reportedly alerted the league that the Pittsburgh Steelers were using deflated footballs during their game.Fox reported that after the Giants forced two turnovers during their 24-14 loss last Sunday, they tested the footballs on their sideline. After both of the footballs tested below the NFL standards for PSI, according to the report, the Giants sent them to the league office.The NFL issued a statement saying: The officiating game ball procedures were followed and there were no chain of command issues. All footballs were in compliance and no formal complaint was filed by the Giants with our office.Fox reporter Jay Glazer, who had the report, wrote on Twitter that the NFL was correct in saying no FORMAL complaint was FILED, Giants tested balls & informed the NFL they were under legal limit. Giants confirmed.COLLEGE BASEBALLBEVERLY, Mass. -- NCAA officials plan to hand deliver an award to the former Boston College baseball captain who inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge that raised millions of dollars for ALS research.The collegiate sports organization says Pete Frates is unable to attend an awards celebration in Nashville, Tennessee, this January to accept the 2017 Inspiration Award because the neurodegenerative disease is progressing.So NCAA President Mark Emmert and NCAA honors committee chair Dr. Michael Benson will present the award to him at his home in Beverly, Massachusetts.Frates was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2012. The disease, also called Lou Gehrigs Disease, weakens muscles, impairs physical functioning and has no cure yet.The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than $220 million when it took off worldwide on social media in 2014.COLLEGE FOOTBALLNEW YORK -- Lamar Jackson leapt over a loaded field of Heisman Trophy contenders early in the season and by the time he slowed down nobody could catch him.The sensational sophomore quarterback became the first Louisville player to win the Heisman Trophy, beating out preseason favorite Deshaun Watson of Clemson despite some late-season struggles.Baker Mayfield finished third and Oklahoma teammate and fellow finalist Dede Westbrook was fourth. Michigans Jabrill Peppers was fifth.Jackson, wearing a red velvet blazer with shiny black lapels, said he could feel his heart pounding in his chest right before his name was announced, and he barely held it together while giving his speech with the former Heisman winners standing behind him on stage.BALTIMORE -- Donald Trump was greeted with cheers on his arrival at the annual Army-Navy game, basking in one of the nations most storied football rivalries as he prepares to enter the White House.The future commander in chief, protected by panes of bulletproof glass, waved to the crowd Saturday and pumped his fist as he arrived during the first quarter of the 117th game between the military academies at West Point and Annapolis. The game, on a sunny but chilly day, was being held on relatively neutral ground, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.Trump, in an interview with CBS Sports announcers Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson, said he was totally neutral on the outcome of the game and quipped that he might make Lundquist, who was retiring from the play-by-play booth, his ambassador to Sweden. Vans Old Skool Outlet . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Vans Old Skool Discount . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.cheapoldskoolwholesale.com/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Cheap Vans Sk8 Hi Shoes .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Vans Old Skool Sale . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . It only seems natural that head coach Hue Jackson would be on the hot seat in Cleveland. The Browns are off to their worst start in 70 years having lost 10 straight to begin the season and are staring down the barrel at a perfect season -- perfect as in 0-16.When things go wrong along the lakefront -- as they have so often -- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has been quick to bring down the guillotine. Since purchasing the team in 2012, Haslam has fired three head coaches.The Steelers, on the other hand, have had three coaches since 1969 -- Chuck Noll (1969-1991), Bill Cowher (1992-2006) and Mike Tomlin (2007 to present).In Pittsburgh, theyre not used to adversity and now that the Steelers have lost four in a row, it seems like everyone is clamoring for Tomlins head.Never mind that the Steelers, who travel to the Dawg Pound for a 1 p.m. Sunday affair, have a good chance to be tied atop the AFC North after this weeks action.Such is life in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NFL where the heat is on Tomlin of the 4-5 Steelers but not so much on Jackson of the 0-10 Browns.With the Steelers in danger of suffering their first losing season in Tomlins 10-year career at Pittsburgh, he has ignored the outside clutter and is focused on getting his team ready and forgetting about the nightmare that was the Cowboys.Were just not playing well enough, Tomlin said after losing 35-30 in the final seconds to Dallas on Sunday. Were not in the right place enough. Were not looking at the right things enough.The tape says were not disciplined enough. The tape says there arent enough people doing the right things on a consistent basis to produce a victory, he added.Pittsburgh now has lost three straight on the road and plays four of its next five away from Heinz Field. The offense has been inconsistent on the road -- they have scored a total of 32 points in those three losses -- and the defense has been atrocious.And now the Steelers must find a replacement for their best defender, Cam Heyward, who tore a pectoral muscle against Dallas and is out for the season.Heyward had plenty to say about the Steelers inability to prevent the big play after the defense allowed three scoring plays of 30 yards or longer against Dallas.When you do that youre not going to have a lot of success in this league, he said I take this one on the chin personally because I feel like our offense did enough. As the leader of the defense it falls on me and goes down from there. Its just unacceptable.Big plays and the mounting losses are taking a toll on a number of defenders including linebacker Ryan Shazier.We just have to have better detail. ... Were giving up too many big plays. Were not stopping the run. Thats a recipe for disaster, Shazier said. Well look at the film, criticize each other and make sure we get each other back on point. Losing sucks.If theres one team that knows about losing its the Browns. Theyve lost 13 straight dating to the end of last season, and despite some reports of a rift between Jackson and the ffront office, there appears to be a long-term plan in place that has the backing of the players and management.ddddddddddddThe fans just want a win.The Browns have the youngest team in the league and have stockpiled draft picks in the next few years. They might be on their way to a historically bad season, but they havent thrown in the towel.Everyone hates losing, but if you get discouraged, your play is going to drop, and if your play drops, you lose your job, guard John Greco said. Hopefully, the veteran leadership and the guys that have been on winning programs will show the young guys this is a long season, but we want them to get their first win so we can turn this positive culture we talk about into a winning culture.One of the few bright spots for Cleveland this year has been the emergence of wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr., who has compiled 51 receptions for 627 yards and four touchdowns.Whoever is at quarterback for the Browns -- rookie starter Cody Kessler or veteran Josh McCown -- they might want to take advantage of Pryors speed and height against rookie corner Artie Burns.Another glimmering hope for the Dawg Pound has been the play of linebacker Christian Kirksey, who leads the NFL with 94 tackles.The Browns on Wednesday also received a bit of good news when quarterback Robert Griffin III was cleared for non-contact activities. The fifth-year QB broke a bone in his shoulder the first week of the season and is expected to begin practicign again next week.We are not here to have the record we have, Jackson said. Were all disappointed and probably to a person a little embarrassed by it.Jackson can take solace in receiving the support of executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown earlier this week.The days of winning are coming. Im confident of that. We just have to stick with the plan and support our fans through the process, he said.Only one thing will take the heat off Tomlin and thats a victory. With the Ravens playing the Cowboys this weekend, the Steelers have a golden opportunity to forge a tie atop the AFC North, and the Browns are just what the doctor ordered.Cleveland has one of the leagues worst defenses, giving up 419 yards and 30.1 points per game. Expect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown to take advantage of a weak Cleveland secondary that has struggled against other top passing offenses.And while Pittsburgh has had its problems getting the running game in gear, there should be plenty of opportunity for running back LeVeon Bell to find some success against the Browns, who are 31st against the rush, allowing 144 yards per game.Sundays game is the 127th time the teams have met in the regular season and the Steelers lead the series, 68-58, and since 2004 the Steelers have dominated sweeping the Browns nine times. The two teams close out the regular season on Jan. 1 in Pittsburgh. ' ' '