BYU cornerback killed in auto accident

Brigham Young University sophomore cornerback Terrence Harvey was killed in a highway accident Monday night. Two teammates also were injured when the car they were driving tried to pass another vehicle and flipped several times.

The 21-year-old Harvey was pronounced dead at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center following the accident on Interstate 15 near Provo, Utah. Junior defensive back Tony Fields was treated for minor injuries, while freshman defensive back Roderick Foreman is in fair condition and probably will have hand surgery today.

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The car was traveling between 80 and 90 mph when Fields, who was driving, attempted to pass on the right and lost control. The automobile rolled several times, ejecting Harvey. Harvey started at left cornerback in the Cougars’ 19-16 overtime victory over Southwest Memphis University Saturday. Fields and Foreman also played in that game.

Tennessee lineman remains hospitalized

University of Tennessee defensive tackle Billy Ratliff remained in stable condition in the intensive care unit in a local hospital Tuesday after suffering a bruised spinal cord during a practice session Monday. Doctors said Ratliff may be released sooner than the two or three days originally anticipated.

Ratliff reportedly took a knee to the head during a goal-line drill and lay motionless on the field for nearly 20 minutes. The sophomore suffered temporary paralysis in his upper body during that time.

Ratliff regained his mobility at the hospital Monday night, and a CAT scan showed no significant injury. He was scheduled for an MRI Tuesday, although doctors said it appeared no actual damage was done to his spinal cord. His injury is listed as a spinal cord contusion.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound sophomore has started all three Volunteer games this season. He has recorded eight tackles, four for losses.

White Sox fire Bevington

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The Chicago White Sox announced Monday that they will not renew the 1998 contract option of manager Terry Bevington. Bevington took over in Chicago June 2, 1995, replacing Gene Lamont.

The 41-year-old Bevington posted a 222-214 record with the White Sox. His 1997 squad finished a disappointing 80-81, six games behind the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central Division. Chicago entered the 1997 season with high hopes after signing outfielder Albert Belle to a $55-million contract during the off-season.

Bevington was hired by Chicago as a minor league manager in 1986. He spent three seasons as a triple-A manager before becoming a first base coach at the major league level in 1989. He took over the third base coaching job in 1990, a position he held until being named manager.

Chargers sign Seau to contract extension

The San Diego Chargers signed six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau to a five-year contract extension Tuesday. The contract will keep Seau in his native San Diego with the Chargers through the 2002 season. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

This goes a long way to assure that Junior will always be a member of the San Diego Chargers, general manager Bobby Beathard said. It’s rare in today’s era of free agency for an NFL player to be drafted by a team and stay with that team throughout his entire career.”

Now in his eighth NFL season, Seau was San Diego’s first-round draft selection and fifth overall in the 1990 NFL Draft. He has been named to the Pro Bowl six consecutive times as well as virtually every all-NFL team during his career. For his career, Seau has 891 tackles, 30 sacks, nine interceptions, 43 passes defended, five forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries in 113 games.