Briefs: QB puts end to outstanding career

NFLWarner calls it quits

Kurt Warner announced his retirement Friday after a dozen years in a league that at first rejected him, then revered him as he came from nowhere to lead the lowly St. Louis Rams to two Super Bowls, winning the first of them.

Written off as a has-been, he rose again to lead the long-suffering Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl a year ago. Warner, 38, who had a year left on a twoyear, $23-million contract, said, "It's been an amazing ride."

Bengals LB charged with DWI

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga has pleaded not guilty in northern Kentucky to drunken and careless driving. A Covington police spokesman said Maualuga hit a parking meter and two parked cars early Friday.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Feds mulling probe of BCS

The Justice Department is deciding whether to open a probe to determine if the Bowl Championship Series violates antitrust laws.

"Importantly, and in addition, the administration also is exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football postseason," Assistant Attorney General Robert Weich wrote in a letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

Several lawmakers and many critics want the BCS to switch to a playoff system, rather than the ratings system it uses to determine the teams that play in the championship game.

"The administration shares your belief that the current lack of a college football national championship playoff with respect to the highest division of college football . . . raises important questions affecting millions of fans, colleges and universities, players and other interested parties," Weich wrote.

OLYMPICS

Gold medalist admits doping

A member of the U.S. 1,600-meter gold-medal relay team at the Athens Olympics has accepted a four-year suspension and disqualification of her results for doping. Crystal Cox, who ran in the preliminaries, admitted to using anabolic steroids and agreed to the penalty, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said.

GOLF

Two share lead at Torrey Pines

D.A. Points shot a 7-under-par 65 on the South Course at Torrey Pines in San Diego, giving him a share of a two-shot lead with Ryuji Imada (68) at 11-under 133 in the Farmers Insurance Open. Phil Mickelson, who played the North Course, shot 67 and was four shots back. Michael Sim of Australia shot 10-under 62 on the North Course. - AP