Seems Like His Father Gets All the Breaks

One record few aspire to shatter, so to speak, is that held by legendary motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel. The Guinness Book of World Records lists him as having broken the most bones, 35.

Son Robbie Knievel, who will attempt to jump over six fighter planes aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in New York Harbor tonight on TNT, was asked if he might catch his father.

“Nah, I’ve only broken 20,” he said.

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Trivia time: The Oklahoma football team won 47 consecutive games from 1953 to ‘57, setting an NCAA Division I record. What team ended the streak and what was the score?

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Overrated? Jimmy Johnson, former coach of Dallas and Miami, told the Dallas Morning News this about the not-so-dearly departed Dolphin, Ricky Williams:

“The defense has carried that team for five, six, maybe 10 years. Ricky’s yards per carry were under four last year. Really, his reputation is based on the Heisman Trophy and the one really good year he had [2002]. That’s why I think the perception ... is greater than the reality.”

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Straightforward: From Dan Le Batard, the Miami Herald columnist who last week broke the Williams story after receiving a phone call from Williams:

“I’d like to tell you that breaking the Ricky retirement story was because of some majestic journalistic effort, but all I did was answer my phone. If I hadn’t been home, I would have missed his call, and we might still not know he is retired because the Dolphins certainly weren’t interested in revealing it.”

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Bullish on Lakers: From Joe Santoro of the Reno Gazette-Journal: “Don’t worry about the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, Shaquille O’Neal is off trying the South Beach diet, and Phil Jackson is off on his motorcycle in Montana. But the Lakers will be just fine. They are now Kobe Bryant’s team. And that’s not all bad.

“Bryant will lead the league in scoring and he’ll carry the Lakers to 55 wins, just like Michael Jordan used to do with the Bulls. Jordan had Scottie Pippen and Bryant will have Lamar Odom. Then again, if things don’t go well in Colorado for Kobe, the Lakers will turn into the 1999 Bulls.”

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Realistic: Bob Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, was asked by a TV talk-show host whether his team had a chance to go all the way this season.

“To win the Super Bowl? No, no,” Tisch replied. “We have a team of 12 new coaches. We brought in about 18 players. We have two new quarterbacks.... If we can make the playoffs, I will be very pleased.”

The team was 4-12 last season.

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Trivia answer: Notre Dame, 7-0.

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And finally: Quentin Richardson, the former Clipper who has signed a six-year, $45-million contract with the Phoenix Suns, will soon become a former bachelor. People magazine reports that he is engaged to “Talk About Our Love” singer Brandy, and that the 11 1/2-carat diamond ring he presented to her this week is valued at $1 million.