Sports in brief

NFL

Kicker Stover retiring

Former NFL kicker Matt Stover will retire after a career in which he scored more than 2,000 points. The Ravens say Stover will make the announcement this afternoon at Baltimore's training complex. Stover, 43, ranks fourth in NFL history with 2,004 points. He made 471 field goals, connecting on 83.7 percent of his attempts. Drafted by the Giants in the 12th round of the 1990 draft, Stover spent his first season on injured reserve before signing as a free agent in 1991 with Cleveland.

HOCKEY

Rafalski hanging it up

The Red Wings' Brian Rafalski has retired from the NHL. The three-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time Olympic silver medalist says spending time with his family in good health is more important than the $6 million he would've made next season in the final year of his contract with Detroit. The 37-year-old Rafalski had knee and back injuries that limited him to a career-low 63 games last season, finishing with just four goals. He had 79 goals and 515 points in 12 seasons with New Jersey and his hometown Red Wings.

Rafalski helped the Devils win two Stanley Cups and Detroit hoist one. The native of Dearborn, Mich., played for the U.S. in losses to Canada in the 2010 and 2012 gold-medal games.

COLLEGES

USC appeal rejected

The NCAA has rejected Southern California's bid to reduce some of the penalties imposed last year on its football program, including a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, according to media reports. A USC spokesman confirmed that the school has received a response from the NCAA regarding its appeal, but he says that NCAA rules prevent USC from commenting on the decision until it is released Thursday. -- AP