NEW YORK -- Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $12,154 for verbal abuse/excessive profanity toward an official following the Giants 24-14 loss at Pittsburgh last weekend.The fine wasnt related to Beckhams postgame comments to reporters when he described an unsettling exchange with one official, complained about several non-calls and suggested referee Terry McAulays crew shouldnt work any more Giants games.It was the same crew that worked New Yorks game against Carolina last season in which Beckham and then-Panthers cornerback Josh Norman repeatedly drew flags for their confrontations.Three Jets players were each fined for unnecessary roughness during a 41-10 loss to Indianapolis. Cornerback Buster Skrine, D-lineman Sheldon Richardson and right tackle Breno Giancomini were all docked $9,115.Oakland punter Marquette King was fined $12,154 for picking up an officials flag and using it as a prop after being roughed by the Bills and Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree was docked the same amount for taunting.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Terrence Jones Jersey Signed . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Jack McCloskey Jersey Signed . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. https://www.cheapnbajerseysjustwholesale.com/mark-price-jersey-signed/ . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Korleone Young Jersey Signed . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Malik Allen Jersey Signed . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Fans wearing the familiar gold-and-green-trimmed shirts of Brazils national team were still streaming up the ramp and into the Maracana Stadium when Neymar struck. All of 15 seconds had elapsed since the opening whistle.As it turned out, there was no need to hurry, let alone worry. Whatever terrible toll these Olympics wind up extracting from this cash-strapped, soccer-mad nation, its already clear that wont put a dent in the Selecao.Its 6-0 semifinal win Wednesday over Honduras kept Brazil in pursuit of the Olympic gold medal -- the one important international prize the only five-time World Cup champions have never won.Im happy for the goals but the most important thing is that we made it to the final, said Gabriel Jesus. It was important to win like this, playing well and with a lot of goals.The locals expect them not just to win, but to do it with style, keeping faith with a long line of stars -- beginning with Pele -- who set the bar high with their commitment to play o jogo bonito (the beautiful game). By that standard, Neymars opening tally was a comedy of errors.Honduran defender Johnny Palacios clumsy clearing attempt from the top of his goal box bounced off Neymars shins and the slim forward kept his balance and followed it toward the net. Goalkeeper Luis Lopez rushed out, went to the ground and tried to spread himself, but his clearing attempt, too, bounced off Neymar and rolled slowly forward once more, this time into the net.We can admit now -- we were all nervous when we came. The last game (against Mexico) was too close, said Rio native Marcio Salles.Salles was wearing the jersey of former Brazilian player Hulk and dancing in the concourse afterward alongside his pals as samba music filtered through the stadium.But even when it was still only 1-0, Salles added, they showed confidence and then ... they honored this place and played as they should.At least Brazils other two scores before halftime were artistic successes. Gabriel Jesus beat Lopez with tthe flick of his right boot after running onto a surgical cross from Luan in the 26th minute to make it 2-0; then he outraced a Honduran defender and scooped up a perfectly weighted pass from Neymar in the 35th , finishing the breakaway with a rocket into the roof of the net.ddddddddddddFootballers like Neymar, who draws his hefty paycheck from the Spanish giant Barcelona, are the countrys most famous exports. At last count, there were more than 600 Brazilians employed in the top leagues in Europe, where the money is good and the living is much easier than back home.Neymar left Brazil in 2013 as a 21-year-old and is one of three senior players on Brazils team; Olympic rules require the remaining players to be 23 or younger. So while only four of the players on the roster currently play overseas, 10 more will likely be gone within the next two to three years. Prominent in that group are Garbiel Barbosa, known in these part as Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus, who signed Premier League powerhouse Manchester City.By comparison, all but two of Honduras 18 players ply their trade in the countrys domestic league, and nearly all of them are likely to stay there.Including Neymar wasnt simply about winning Olympic gold, but a way to let him begin forming a partnership with Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus, two youngsters who also figure prominently in Brazils 2018 World Cup plans. The nation is still keening for revenge over the way Germany humiliated them in the last World Cup -- 7-1 en route to the title -- and on their home soil no less.That much was apparent right after Brazils first tally, when fans, clearly pulling for Germany in its semifinal match against Nigeria later in the day, began chanting, Hey Germany, just wait! Your turn is coming up!---Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke(at)ap.org and Twitter.com/JimLitke. ' ' '
