Gladiators fall to Tampa Bay in AFL semifinals

The third-seeded Gladiators lost, 73-59, to the Tampa Bay Storm Aug. 14 in an AFL semifinal game at AMALIE Arena in Tampa Bay.

The Gladiators trailed, 66-59, with just under a minute to play, but Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard ran for the game’s final touchdown as Tampa Bay advances to Arena Bowl XXX on Aug. 26.

Quentin Sims had four touchdowns in the first half as the Gladiators entered the third quarter with a 32-31 lead, but Hippeard scored in the opening minutes to put the second-seeded Storm back on top.

The Gladiators finish the season 5-10.

College football

FRANK BROYLES DEAD AT 92 » Frank Broyles, who guided the University of Arkansas to its lone national football championship and later molded the overall program as its athletic director, has died at the age of 92.

Broyles died Tuesday from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a statement from his family.

Broyles won almost 71 percent of his games as head football coach with the Razorbacks for 19 years.

He became the school’s athletic director in 1974 while still the football coach, eventually retiring from the gridiron to focus on administrative duties following the 1976 season.

As athletic director, Broyles led an overhaul and upgrade of Arkansas’ facilities as well as leading the school in its move to the Southeastern Conference.

Following his coaching career, Broyles who earned a spot in the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame served as an analyst on ABC’s college football telecasts.

WWE

RIC FLAIR RESTING AFTER SURGERY » World Wrestling Entertainment says pro wrestling legend Ric Flair is out of surgery and resting after being hospitalized.

The statement did not give details about the nature of the surgery.

A representative for the showman known as “Nature Boy” says the 68-yearold wrestler was admitted to the hospital for routine monitoring. Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent asked on Twitter Monday for “prayers & positive energy” because Flair has “tough medical issues.”

Former pro wrestler Mick Foley and wrestling executive Eric Bischoff are among numerous wrestlers wishing Flair well on Twitter.

Known for his flamboyant outfits and “Woooo!” catchphrase, Flair made his professional debut in 1972 and was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2008.

Soccer

RONALDO SUSPENDED » Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for five games after shoving a referee following his red card during Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 13.

The Spanish football federation said on Monday that Ronaldo has been suspended for one game for the red card and four games for pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the back.

Ronaldo will miss Wednesday’s return leg of the Spanish Super Cup in Madrid plus the first four matches of the Spanish league season.

Tennis

FEDERER WITHDRAWS, CITES BACK INJURY » Wimbledon champion Roger Federer withdrew Monday from the Western & Southern Open, which he has won seven times, citing a back injury.

Tournament officials announced Federer’s withdrawal on the first full day of matches at the event in Cincinnati.

The 19-time major champion said in a statement that he “tweaked” his back last week at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, where he lost Sunday to Alexander Zverev in the final.

The Swiss star, No. 3 in the ATP Tour rankings, becomes the fifth of the top six players to skip Cincinnati because of injuries. He joins top-ranked Andy Murray, No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, fifth-ranked Novak Djokovic and sixthranked Marin Cilic, the defending champion. Only second-seeded Rafael Nadal, the tournament’s top-seeded player, remains in the draw.