PITTSBRUGH - Steelers linebacker Joey Porter apologized to his teammates for his pregame ejection for fighting in Cleveland and promised Wednesday to never repeat what he called a "stupid" mistake.

Porter and Browns running back William Green began yelling at each other about 45 minutes before the opening kickoff. Green then shoved Porter, who responded by throwing punches at Green and Browns fullback Terrelle Smith.

Porter's ejection forced the Steelers to start James Harrison, who had played previously only on special teams. Harrison responded by making a team-high six tackles and getting his first NFL sack.

Some teammates said an apology wasn't necessary.

"He didn't have to," running back Jerome Bettis said. "We all understood how sorry he was. As a leader on the football team he felt it necessary for the team to hear from him, so it was a great thing."

DETROIT - Free agent Troy Percival and the Detroit Tigers agreed Wednesday to a $12 million, two-year contract, a move that will lead to Ugueth Urbina becoming a setup man or getting traded.Percival, 35, was 2-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 33 saves last season with Anaheim. The Angels made no attempt to re-sign him and plan to use Francisco Rodriguez as their closer in 2005.Percival was fourth in the AL in saves, reaching 30 for the seventh straight season, the longest streak by an active pitcher.

DENVER - Prosecutors dropped a marijuana possession charge against Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony Wednesday, saying it would be tough to get a conviction after a friend claimed the drug was his and not Anthony's.Anthony was charged with possessing less than 1 ounce of marijuana on Oct. 15 after a bag with the drug was found in his backpack as the NBA team waited to board a flight to Milwaukee for a preseason game.Anthony said the drug belonged to a friend, James Cunningham. Cunningham, who often stays with Anthony when he is in town on business, signed an affidavit saying he borrowed the backpack without Anthony's knowledge and accidentally left the marijuana in it.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - East Carolina football coach John Thompson resigned Wednesday but will finish the season, ending his first stint as a head coach after only two seasons.Since replacing Steve Logan in December 2002, Thompson is 3-18. The Pirates (2-7, 2-5 Conference USA) play Memphis on Saturday, then finish their season Nov. 27 against North Carolina State.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jamaica failed to advance in World Cup soccer qualifying Wednesday, tying the United States 1-1. The Reggae Boyz needed a win, or a tie coupled with a Panama loss or tie.Panama defeated El Salvador 3-0 in a game played simultaneously in Panama City. The Reggae Boyz were seeking to return to the World Cup after qualifying in 1998 and falling short in 2002.For the Americans, the match was merely a tuneup and a chance to give several young players World Cup qualifying experience. The Americans, who got a goal from Eddie Johnson, won a spot in next year's six-team regional finals with a 6-0 win over Panama last month.