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McDowell 'deeply sorry'

FORMER PHILLIES pitcher Roger McDowell is known as a practical joker. But accusations that he allegedly made a gay slur to fans and other profanity-laced comments are no laughing matter.

FORMER PHILLIES pitcher Roger McDowell is known as a practical joker.

But accusations that he allegedly made a gay slur to fans and other profanity-laced comments are no laughing matter.

A family of four, including twin 9-year-old girls, is demanding that McDowell, now a pitching coach with the Atlanta Braves, apologize for remarks he made to fans during batting practice before Saturday's game in San Francisco.

At a news conference reported by the Associated Press yesterday, attorney Gloria Allred, representing Justin Quinn, his wife and children, said the family heard McDowell make a homophobic remark to three male fans.

Quinn, who was also present at the news conference, said he yelled to McDowell, "Hey, there are kids out here," and that McDowell allegedly responded "Kids don't [bleeping] belong at the baseball park." Quinn said McDowell then allegedly walked toward him while holding a bat and said, "How much are your teeth worth?"

There are two sides to every story and the incident will no doubt be hashed out over the next few days. There is no denying, however, that something happened.

Yesterday, McDowell issued a statement that said, "I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions."

Vick takes 'loss' in stride

We never thought we'd say this, but Michael Vick is too damn nice.

Vick lost to Browns running back Peyton Hillis in fan voting on ESPN.com that determined who would be on the cover of Madden NFL 12.

And while Hillis' career doesn't begin to compare to Vick's, that didn't stop the Eagles quarterback from taking the high road yesterday.

"I think it's great for Peyton," Vick told ESPN's SportsNation. "It goes to show that he has a broad fan base. People admire what he does, he takes pride in what he does and he's very deserving."

- Tom Mahon

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