FOOTBALL

GIANTS-SAINTS PART OF MONDAY NIGHT DOUBLEHEADER

The Giants-Saints game, driven from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, will be played as part of a nationally televised doubleheader starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 19. The game, already moved to the Giants’ home in the Meadowlands, will begin on ABC, then be switched to ESPN at 9 p.m., when ABC goes to the regularly scheduled game between Washington and Dallas. In New York and Louisiana, as well as other parts of the Gulf Coast, ABC will continue to carry the Giants-Saints game. The NFL said fund-raising efforts for hurricane relief will be intertwined in the telecasts of both games.

WARD AGREES TO 4-YEAR DEAL WITH STEELERS

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh’s four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, agreed yesterday to a four-year contract with the Steelers that could be worth as much as $25.8 million and includes $10 million in guaranteed money and more than $2 million in incentives. If he collects those bonuses, Ward will earn more than the $12 million in assured money he wanted before the extended negotiations began. The Steelers were believed to have originally offered $8 million to $9 million in guaranteed money before negotiations went sour and Ward staged a one-week holdout.

GOLF

BROWNE RALLIES FOR WIN AT DEUTSCHE BANK CLASSIC

Despite failing to keep his PGA Tour card the last two years, Olin Browne never doubted he could still compete with the best players. Now he has a victory to show for it, closing with a 4-under 67 yesterday to win the Deutsche Bank Classic.

Browne emerged from a five-way tie for the lead to build a three-shot advantage on the back nine. And with Jason Bohn closing fast, he holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to restore his cushion.

Browne finished at 14-under 280 and earned $990,000, more than he had made in any of his 11 previous years on the PGA Tour. More importantly, it gave the 46-year-old Browne a two-year exemption on tour.

– Associated Press