NFL looking into Rolle comment that official called him 'boy'

NEW YORK -- The NFL is looking into a postgame comment by Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle, who contends an on-field official called him "boy" during the Ravens' 27-24 loss to New England.

Rolle identified the official by his number rather than by name following the Monday night game, which was marked by several disputed officiating decisions.

"The refs called me a boy," Rolle said, according to a transcript of postgame comments provided to the media by the Ravens. "No. 110 called me a boy."

Both Rolle and the official, identified in the NFL official guide as head linesman Phil McKinnely, are black. The 53-year-old McKinnely played in the NFL as an offensive tackle from 1976-82. He spent five seasons with Atlanta and one each with the Rams and Chicago.

"I will be calling my agent in the morning and sending my complaint," the 31-year-old cornerback added. "I have a wife and three kids. Don't call me a boy. Don't call me a boy on the field during a game because I said, 'You've never played football before."'

The Ravens were demonstrative after the game about the officiating, especially on the final drive that led to Tom Brady's pass to Jabar Gaffney for the winning touchdown with 44 seconds left. After the touchdown, set up by a fourth-down defensive holding call on Jamaine Winborne, linebacker Bart Scott was penalized 15 yards for complaining and another 15 yards for throwing the official's flag.

"In a game of this magnitude, you don't make that kind of call," Rolle said. "Let the players decide the outcome of the game. You can crown them champions now. I'm not taking anything away from them. They are a great team. They're not asking the refs to help them, but it's just an empty feeling."

• Brett Favre's standout season for the resurgent Green Bay Packers has earned him the title of 2007 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, making him the fourth quarterback to win the award in its 53-year history.

The 38-year-old Favre joins fellow quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw (1979), Joe Montana (1990) and Tom Brady (2005) as recipients of the award, given to an athlete who symbolizes the ideals of sportsmanship.

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL -- Four South Carolina players were named to the coaches' All-SEC team.

Wide receiver Kenny McKinley, defensive end Eric Norwood and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn earned first-team honors while safety Emanuel Cook made the second team.

• Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension that includes a $200,000 annual raise and ends speculation that he might leave for another job.

Tuberville, who was in New York for National Football Hall of Fame functions, told The Birmingham News and The Huntsville Times that he and athletic director Jay Jacobs reached an agreement that will run through the 2013 season. They completed the deal Tuesday afternoon in a meeting at his hotel.

• COLLEGE BASKETBALL -- Duke's Martynas Pocius will have season-ending surgery on his left ankle.

The junior reserve averaged four points and 2.5 rebounds in four games this season for the sixth-ranked Blue Devils (8-0). Pocius originally injured the ankle while playing in Lithuania over the summer and reinjured it in the Blue Devils' win against Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 25, the school said.

Pocius is scheduled to undergo surgery in January, which will allow for ankle swelling to go down. The guard had a similar surgery on his right ankle after last season.

This story was originally published December 5, 2007 at 12:15 AM with the headline "NFL looking into Rolle comment that official called him 'boy'."