Big plans in place for 50th Super BowlPHOENIX — The Super Bowl turns 50 this year and the NFL is planning a golden yearlong celebration.The league unveiled plans that include sending a gold-colored football to the high school of every player or head coach who played in the big game. The football will have the player’s name and the name of the high school.The league also will have the number 50 on the 50-yard line in gold and teams will host Super Bowl reunions.

Browns QB Manziel ready to practicePHOENIX — Browns coach Mike Pettine expects quarterback Johnny Manziel to take part in the team’s practices next month after leaving rehab.Pettine said the team has received good feedback about Manziel, who entered a treatment facility on Jan. 28 for an undisclosed problem. A first-round draft pick in 2014, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner from Texas A&M backed up Brian Hoyer before playing poorly in two starts. Following the season, Manziel acknowledged he should have taken his job more seriously.

Curry scores 33 as Warriors clinchPORTLAND, Ore. — Stephen Curry had 33 points and 10 assists and the Golden State Warriors pulled away from the shorthanded Trail Blazers in the second half for a 122-108 victory on Tuesday night, clinching the team’s first division title in 39 years.Andre Iguodala came off the bench to score 21 points for the Warriors, who won their seventh straight to push their record to and NBA-best 58-13.Golden State hasn’t claimed the Pacific Division crown since the 1975-76 season, the year after the team won the NBA championship.

Civilian honor given to NicklausWASHINGTON — Congress has awarded its highest civilian honor to golfing great Jack Nicklaus, who accepted the gold medal with a few tears, humility and humor.In a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, the House and Senate leadership bestowed the award on Nicklaus, winner of 18 majors that Speaker John Boehner called the “gold standard.”Nicklaus spoke of his parents, thanked his family and praised his wife Barbara. He recalled that when his son Jack was six, he was asked what his father did for a living. The younger Nicklaus said, “nothing, he just plays golf.”Attending the ceremony for the 75-year-old Nicklaus was golfing legend Arnold Palmer.

Minor league hurlers must beat clockNEW YORK — Pitchers will have to beat the clock at Triple-A and Double-A this season.In an effort to speed games, Minor League Baseball’s governing body said Tuesday a ball will be called in the count starting May 1 when a pitcher fails to start his windup or reach the set position within 20 seconds after having possession of the ball on the mound.The speed-up rules are more radical than those instituted in the major leagues for 2015, where approval of the players’ association was needed.