TODAY books

In his memoir, "Running for My Life," NFL running back Warrick Dunn shares his journey as a football star. In this excerpt, he writes about making the emotional decision to speak to the man who's on death row for murdering Dunn's mother.

Tyler Thigpen went 14-for-25 for 164 yards and one touchdown in today's "Unexpected" 30 -27OT loss to Tampa Bay. He also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass in the game. For the second week in a row Thigpen has given the Chiefs the game they always hoped to see from Brodie Croyle. Clearly Thigpen recognizes that this is his chance and he has 7 weeks to prove that he can be an effective NFL quarterback and a game winner for Kansas City. However, Thigpen has one obstacle that remains in his way, his coach. As usual Herm Edwards commented with his signature "the glass is half full" views on individual and overall team performance. He never commented on, or at least was let of the hook and never ask about his own coaching decisions. Kansas City can claim the rebuilding process all they want, and I believe they will be successful but only if they release the conservative coach. Hey Herm, as successful half and successful run game are easily erased when you put extra pressure on your offense and okay a handoff on 3rd and 14.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) a€" Thousands of full-throated Kansas students ignored coach Mark Mangino's plea and went ahead with a profane chant when No. 16 Kansas kicked off against Colorado on Saturday.

As the chant resonated across Memorial Stadium, alumni and other fans booed the offensive language.

The chant was first heard at Kansas in 2003 and has brought complaints from university officials and other fans who say it's an embarrassment. Taking their cue from an Adam Sandler movie, the students yell, "rip his (expletive) head off!" every time their team kicks off.

Released on DVD, Tue Oct 07 2008, Cyborg Soldier is former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin's first professional movie gig. The movie, a First Look Pictures sci-fi flick, also features TV star Tiffani Thiessen ("Saved by the Bell" and "Beverly Hill 90210") and Bruce Greenwood (I, Robot and National Treasure: Book of Secrets). The movie focuses on I.S.A.A.C. (Intuitive Synthetic Autonomous Assault Commando), played by Franklin, who is the first prototype of a confidential "human weapon" program who goes on the run from secret military agents. Franklin, who filmed the movie in Canada immediately following his UFC 77 loss to Anderson Silva, plays the role of the cyborg soldier as he takes hostage/escapes with Deputy Lindsay Rearden, played by Thiessen.

Like the movie itself and the rest of the cast, Franklin has earned some decent praise in the early reviews, which compared the movie to a typical 1980s good guy vs. bad guy action flick. Although Franklin shows -- by design -- little range with the role, it was a safe first film for the aspiring actor.

Kevin "Kimbo" Ferguson isn't worth is weight in $#!&, never was. Ken Shamrock, a pioneer in the sport has been a human punching bag for the past 5 years, still is. Seth Petruzelli had a look of fear in his eyes seconds into the fight as he backed up against the cage, the same look that EliteXC executives had seconds later as their media magnate hit the canvas. Congratulations to Petruzelli, he definitely did to Kimbo what many of us wish we could do ourselves, but the jury is still out on this kid and his "Buster" Douglas-ish style upset. I can only hope that Couture is able to knock Lesnar, an ignominy, off his hand given pedestal for a perfect trifecta in 2008.

CHIEFS 33, Broncos 19. These guys played with their hearts and deserve this victory. Chiefs shock Cutler, Broncos to end 12-game losing streak. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) It didn't seem like 11 months to Brian Waters since Kansas City's last victory. "It seemed like 10 years," said the veteran left guard, grinning ear-to-ear. "It's a sigh of relief to be able to have a little bit of joy in your life." Larry Johnson, two weeks after complaining that he was being phased out, ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns to lead the previously winless Chiefs past the previously unbeaten Broncos 33-19 Sunday, snapping a franchise-record 12-game losing streak.

If you didn't catch this during national coverage let me recap. Tyler Thigpen connects with Dwayne Bowe 3 seconds before halftime on a 15 yard pass. After Nick Novak's PAT, kick making the score 24-7 at the half, Bowe walks up to Thigpen hands him the game ball and offers some words of encouragement. This single act of selflessness gave Thigpen some much needed confidence going into the locker room and charging down the field on their first 2nd half possession. There is nothing that any coach could have said that could equal this act of camaraderie. It clearly showed that no matter what shortcomings the Chiefs may have, they can rally on the player level. Witnessing Dwayne's "mentor like" actions towards the struggling quarterback was an impressive highlight to say the least. Bowe, you are a class act. Go Chiefs!!

After last weeks handoff victory I assume that Herm Edwards was the first to sign this..

A group of Raiders fans has organized an online petition at KeepKiffin.com advocating for team owner Al Davis to retain head coach Lane Kiffin. Davis is said to be close to firing Kiffin

Herm Edwards has named Tyler Thigpen as the started for this weeks game against the 1-1 Atlanta Falcons. While it is great that a decision has finially been made, is this the right decision? Kansas City needs to make a decision based on what will bring in a victory. This is not the time, 0-2, to be experimenting with quarterback talent. This week to week, quarter to quarter change up has to go. The experiment is over Herm!

"Tyler Thigpen is going to be the starting quarterback going into this week... "For what we're trying to do. He'll be limited in some things but we want to take a look at him. He's another young player that we want to look at and see where he's at...

- A gutsy call by KU offensive coordinator Ed Warinner gives the Jayhawks a crucial first down, as on third and nine, Quigley runs 20 yards on a draw play. On the next play, Reesing throws a deep ball into double-coverage, and Nate Allen picked it off and returned it to the KU 27.

- 30 seconds left in fourth quarter, Game tied at 34

- 2 seconds left in fourth quarter, Game tied at 34

- Bonani's 43-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired, giving the Bulls the victory.

Whether you liked his fighting style or not, he was alway a stand-up guy and dangerous opponent.

After Lesnar's victory over Heath Herring (UFC 87) and his third professional fight many are debating whether or not Brock Lesnar ,2-1-0, is the answer to the currently open Heavyweight Division. Doubts have been raised about his conditioning, skill level, and overall ability to rank in the top ten. One thing is for certain, he is good for business.

Lesnar brings with him a legion of loyal "sports entertainment" fans and NCAA Wrestling enthusiasts not to mention the hopefuls who wish to see him dominate the top MMA weight division.

Is this guy for real?

I ask you, how many times are we going to see Lesnar pancake an opponent and look towards his corner in bewilderment between punches?

I say bring on the Congo in November!