Ex-NFL star still playing the field

Tiger Woods isn't the only sports figure of late to forget his wedding vows.

Joining Woods on the list of married cads is former New York Giants running back and current NBC "Today Show" correspondent Tiki Barber.

Barber left his wife, who is pregnant with twins, late last year for a "Today Show" intern, according to the New York Post.

Barber admitted Tuesday that he and his wife, Ginny Barber, are separated but did not acknowledge an extramarital affair.

Sources confirmed to the Post that Barber left his wife to move in with Traci Lynn Johnson, 23. Barber reportedly began dating Johnson in 2008. The Barbers have been married for 11 years and have two sons, ages 7 and 6.

Sources told the Post that Barber, 35, lavished Johnson with roses, jewelry and designer clothes. An NBC source said, "Barber signed with NBC for a lot of money, up to $2 million, which is a great deal more money than their other correspondents earn.

"But he proved to be a disappointment on screen, and he has recently been used less and less. His contract is up for renewal soon, and this is a good excuse to get rid of him."

Barber's agent, Mark Lepselter, said, "This guy is a very active father" and that Barber spent his 35th birthday Wednesday playing sports with his sons.

Barber retired from the Giants in 2007 after a 10-year career, when he set nearly every career offensive record for the Giants and made three Pro Bowls.

■ SHORT-TERM DEAL -- Butler basketball coach Brad Stevens was rewarded Thursday with a new 12-year contract after taking the school to within a half-court shot of winning the national title Monday.

Stevens, 33, said Friday the deal includes a buyout clause if he wants to take another job. His three-year record at Butler is 89-15.

It's likely the contract for the hottest coach in men's basketball will last for closer to 12 months than 12 years.

■ GIANT SPELL CHECK -- The San Francisco Giants are 4-0 despite a major error in Wednesday's game at Houston.

The Giants' home city was incorrectly spelled "San Francicso" on the front of utility player Eugenio Velez's jersey.

After the game, Velez said he didn't notice the mistake.

■ PLAYERS POUND COACH -- American coach Mike Posma started a Slovenian hockey tradition after his Acroni Jesenice team won a championship in the central European republic.

Slovenian media reported that six players were drunk when they beat up Posma, who was also intoxicated.

Posma, 42, allegedly told a 19-year-old backup goaltender to drive a car even though he was drunk. The goalie subsequently crashed the car, which was carrying all the team members involved in the incident.

The players turned on Posma, reportedly beating him with wooden traffic signs that they found by the side of the road.

That took high-sticking to a new level.

COMPILED BY JEFF WOLF
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL