Keyshawn Knows That Game Isn’t About Facts

Keyshawn Johnson, who authored “Just Give Me the Damn Ball” after his rookie season with the New York Jets, has his own radio talk show in Tampa, Fla., on which he offers opinions on everything from himself to coaches to Tampa Bay teammates to opponents.

On his rookie season: “I just wanted the season to hurry up and end so they could fire the coaches. They didn’t know what they were doing. All they wanted was to come in Sundays and shake hands with other coaches around the league. It was horrible.”

On Sunday’s game against the 6-2 Chicago Bears: “Victory over the Bears is pretty much a lock for us. I know their [defensive backs] shouldn’t be able to hold our wide receivers.”

The Chicago Tribune’s Michael Holley reminded readers: “Johnson came into this season with 39 touchdowns. He still has 39.”

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Trivia time: How many Indianapolis 500 winners have won the Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix?

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Same old Pat: After his Miami team shot only 11 free throws in an 83-74 loss to New York on Thursday night, Heat Coach Pat Riley was livid.

“Say whatever you want about me whining and complaining, it’s an absolute injustice,” he said. “And that’s all I have to say because we deserve a better shake at the officiating.”

He was fined $10,000.

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Money man: After Tiger Woods, David Duval, Davis Love III and Vijay Singh, who do you think is fifth on golf’s money list?

How about PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem at $2.25 million?

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Hey, look at me: Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney is the nation’s sack leader, but hearing about how good he is hasn’t fazed Bryant McKinnie, Miami’s 6-foot-9, 335-pound tackle.

“Freeney’s a good player, but so am I,” McKinnie said. “I’m not garbage. He’s not going to run over me.”

We’ll find out when they meet today in the Orange Bowl.

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Heads up: Coach Mike Price, on the eve of probably the most important game in his 13 years at Washington State--his ninth-ranked Cougars visit No. 16 Washington today--had other things on his mind when TV cameras showed up for a pregame taping.

“Can you change the lighting so it looks like I have more hair?” Price asked the crew.

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Long memory: When LaVar Arrington was at Penn State in 1997, the Nittany Lions lost to Michigan, 34-8.

Arrington was a freshman linebacker and Brian Griese, then a senior, was the Wolverines’ quarterback. Arrington, now with the Washington Redskins, will face Griese again Sunday when the Redskins play the Denver Broncos.

“I owe him from college, so I’m going to be after him,” Arrington said. “If I can get just one good hit on Brian Griese, I’ll feel good. I just want one good one.”

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Trivia answer: Four, Bill Vukovich, Johnnie Parsons, A.J. Foyt and Parnelli Jones. Sam Hanks finished second three times and Rodger Ward twice.

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And finally: When Sam Rutigliano was coach of the Cleveland Browns, he was asked if the attention for having a winning team in the playoffs affected him.

“No,” he said. “Publicity is just like poison. It’s OK as long as you don’t swallow it.”