Cam Newton, the Panthers quarterback who draped a Gatorade towel over his head on the sideline throughout his rookie season, has landed a multi-year marketing deal with the sports-drink giant, Gatorade officials announced Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Newton, who also has sponsorship deals with Under Armour and GMC, said partnering with Gatorade fulfills a "childhood dream."
Around the league
BALTIMORE: Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti emphatically backs the play of quarterback Joe Flacco and guarantees running back Ray Rice will be on the roster next season.
Rice is an unrestricted free agent and Flacco's contract expires after the 2012 season. But Bisciotti promised both would be "part of this team" in 2012.
INDIANAPOLIS: Jim Irsay is putting the Peyton Manning decision on hold.
The Colts owner he will monitor Manning's recovery from Sept.8 neck surgery over the next month and may wait until the last possible moment to determine whether to pay the quarterback a $28 million roster bonus.
KANSAS CITY: Longtime NFL assistant coach Bill Muir followed through on his plans to retire, informing the Kansas City Chiefs that he wouldn't return for a 35th season in the league.
MINNESOTA: Adrian Peterson will still wear No. 28 for the Minnesota Vikings - for now.
The star running back said in a series of posts on his Twitter page that he balked at switching because he was told he would have to pay $1 million to buy out the unused inventory of the jerseys already produced with his current number.
OAKLAND: Raiders coach Dennis Allen made the first hire for his new staff, bringing back Greg Knapp as the team's offensive coordinator.
Knapp spent the past two seasons as quarterbacks coach in Houston but was coordinator in Oakland under Lane Kiffin and Tom Cable in 2007-08.
ST. LOUIS: The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission unveiled a plan that calls for $124 million in improvements to the Edward Jones Dome in hopes of making sure the city doesn't lose another NFL team.
TENNESSEE: Titans receiver Kenny Britt has pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge stemming from an arrest in New Jersey.
Britt faced several charges in the June arrest at a car wash, where police said they suspected him of carrying a marijuana cigar.
Associated Press
