FOOTBALL

Concussion researchers to study the brain of former NFL player who died by suicide

The family of former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson has agreed to donate his brain for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition linked to athletes who have sustained repeated concussions, the Associated Press reported Sunday.

Chris Nowinski at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine told the AP on Saturday that he was contacted by the NFL Players Association and then a representative of Duerson’s family.

Duerson died Thursday in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.

The Chicago Tribune, citing an unidentified person with knowledge of the situation, reported on its website that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest and that his death has been ruled a suicide.

• The NFL and its players’ union met for a third consecutive day with a federal mediator.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith arrived for Sunday’s session at about 10 a.m. Neither commented on the talks.

BOXING

PORTLAND BOXING CLUB: Featherweight Liz Leddy won a unanimous decision over Carmel Chandier of New York City in the Region One Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. Leddy advances to the national finals in Colorado Springs, Colo., in June.

HIGH SCHOOLS

BASKETBALL TICKETS: Reserved seating tickets for Wednesday’s Western Class A boys’ semifinals go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday only at the Cumberland County Civic Center box office.

SKIING

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Jean-Baptiste Grange of France won the men’s slalom to claim the final gold medal of the finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Grange led after the first run and hung on to beat Jens Byggmark of Sweden by 0.43 seconds.

Manfred Moelgg of Italy took bronze, 0.61 seconds behind.

Byggmark jumped from sixth to second to claim the silver.

HOCKEY

QMJHL: Etienne Brodeur scored three goals, including the winner with 5:23 left in the second period, to lead the Lewiston Maineiacs to a 4-3 win over the Rimouski Oceanic at Rimouski, Quebec.

TENNIS

REGIONS MORGAN KEEGAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: Andy Roddick won the 30th title of his career in his 50th final, finishing off a thrilling 7-6 (7), 6-7 (11), 7-5 victory over Milos Raonic in Memphis, Tenn.

COPA CLARO: Nicolas Almagro beat Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the final in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OPEN 13: Robin Soderling beat Marin Cilic 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3 in the final in Marseille, France.

DUBAI CHAMPIONSHIPS: Caroline Wozniacki defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova to win the final 6-1, 6-3 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

SOCCER

FA CUP: Arsenal was brought down to earth by third-tier London rival Leyton Orient, drawing 1-1 in the FA Cup fifth round after beating Barcelona in midweek.

Orient substitute Jonathan Tehoue powered past Arsenal defenders Kieran Gibbs and Ignasi Miquel before striking under goalkeeper Manuel Almunia in the 89th minute to cancel out Tomas Rosicky’s header.

The Gunners, who made 10 changes from the side which beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, now have to fit another fixture in their already congested program as they chase four titles.

In Sunday’s third FA Cup match, Bolton reached the quarterfinals by winning 1-0 at Fulham.

LA LIGA: Lionel Messi scored his 41st goal of the season in the 78th minute, giving Barcelona a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Playing his 250th competitive game for Barcelona, Messi secured the win with his league-leading 25th goal, breaking a tie with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.