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SAN FRANCISCO - Lawyers representing 1,300 former NFL players filed notice Tuesday that they plan to appeal a federal judges dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that teams damaged the players health by routinely — and often illegally — dispensing painkillers.The notice was filed with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The original lawsuit was dismissed in December by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. Northern District in California. He ruled that the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association was the appropriate forum to resolve those claims — and not the court.The appeal would be heard by a three-judge panel, which ordered supporting briefs in the case by May 7.An investigation of claims in the lawsuit has also sparked an investigation by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The agency conducted spot checks of at least five NFL visiting teams medical staffs last fall as part of an ongoing probe.The 1,300 former players include dozens who said the teams lax controls over painkillers continued until 2012. Any violations of the Controlled Substances Act after 2009 could be used in a criminal investigation.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Sammy Sosa Cubs Jersey . - The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent centre Brian de la Puente. Albert Almora Jr Cubs Jersey . This weeks topics include his take on the Kevin Pillar incident, All-Star snubs, the firing of Padres general manager Josh Byrnes and more. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-David-Ross-Kids-Jersey/ . Coming off a 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea on Saturday, Arsenal endured another demoralizing result after rallying for a 2-1 lead -- only to concede a fluke equalizer. Kris Bryant Cubs Jersey . Blown save in the ninth inning? No problem. Joe Maddon Cubs Jersey . And I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my experiences gained through International competition and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Seven NHL referees and six linesmen will be assigned upcoming games in Sochi by the IIHF as part of their 28-man officiating roster comprised of 14 refs and 14 linesmen.OTTAWA - Torontos Patrick Chan is giving the world championships a miss, but he isnt finished with competitive figure skating just yet. Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. However, the 23-year-old said hes committed to chasing a fourth world championship at some point. "Honestly, I know in my heart I want to win another world championship ... I really dont feel like this is the end," Chan said during a conference call. "(After Sochi) I asked myself if I could see myself training at the immediate moment, like right now could I go into training like I did before the Games? "I really didnt see that as a possibility. I already went to a world championships after an Olympic Games (2010 in Vancouver) so I really wanted to enjoy coming home and enjoying the medal and enjoying it with the rest of Canada this time because I didnt have that chance last time. I really wanted to enjoy myself with these two medals." Ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who also earned two silver medals in Sochi, wont compete at the world championships either. Both were non-commital about their future but the expectation is the two-time world champions and 2010 Olympic champions will retire. "We werent sure how wed feel after the Olympics in Sochi and we ended on such a high note," Virtue said. "We were so pleased with our performances, both short and free dance, and just thrilled with the experience we had at the Olympics it just seems like the right way to end the season. "Kind of a nice way to say good-bye to those two programs." Virtue and Moir finished second in Sochi to Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White, with the two teams sharing the same coach, Russian Marina Zoueva. Afterwards, the Canadians publicly questioned Zouevas loyalties. "Some of the things we were honest about at that press conference would come as no surprise to Marina," Virtue said. "She was very aware of the situation. "We travelled to Moscow and did two shows after the closing ceremonies and Meryl and Charlie also did their shows and it was a really nice way to cap off the Olympics with spending time with the two of them in a care-free, fun environment where we could just talk about our experiencees.ddddddddddddI think we probably talked more in that day than we have in the past few years because the pressure was off and we were able to just chat as friends again. It was a nice way to end that chapter with them." While their competitive seasons are over, Moir, Virtue and Chan wont be hanging up their blades. All three will tour and perform with Stars on Ice. "I think were more comfortable trying to take advantage of some of the opportunities after an Olympic Games," Moir said. "Were very much at peace with where were at." Chan was second at the 2010 world championships after finishing fifth at the Vancouver Games, winning his first global crown the following year. The 23-year-old had a glorious opportunity to win gold in Sochi after 19-year-old rival Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan struggled in his free skate. But Chan couldnt take advantage. Twice he faltered during jumps, putting his hand on the ice to keep from falling, and stumbled on a third in settling for the silver behind Hanyu. Chan said he, Virtue and Moir attended a function Monday with Caroline Ouellette, a member of Canadas gold medal-winning womens hockey team. Chan admitted he was somewhat envious of Ouellettes medal. "A gold medal is really, really nice and its different and I definitely get a spell of jealousy," he said. "At the same time I have to look at the experience I had and how different of a sport figure skating is. "These silver medals were not easy to get, they were probably just as hard as a gold medal is. One or two mistakes too many and just in that moment it came out of my grasp. Its a bit of a reminder but again its also a good challenge to kind of stay positive and look at the brighter side of things." Canada will send a 17-member team at the world championships. Olympian Kevin Reynolds, who was 15th at Sochi, will lead Canadas three-man singles team in Japan when the competition begins March 24. Both of Canadas women from the Sochi Games are entered in the worlds. Kaetlyn Osmond was 13th in Russia, and Gabrielle Daleman 17th. Other Canadian Olympians who will compete at Saitama are Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, who were seventh in pairs; Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch, who were fifth; and Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers, who came 14th. Ice dancers Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, seventh at Sochi, and Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam, 18th, will compete at the worlds. ' ' '