NFL: Seau’s family rethinking donation of brain

The family of Junior Seau is reconsidering its decision to allow researchers to study his brain for signs of damage caused by concussions suffered during his 20-year NFL career, a pastor for the family told Reuters yesterday.

“They have now stepped back from what they were thinking initially,” Seau family pastor Shawn Mitchell said. “Nothing is definite right now.”

Seau, the former All-Pro linebacker for the Chargers and two other NFL teams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday at his Oceanside, Calif., home.

George Martin has resigned from the NFL Alumni Association and the NFL Alumni Foundation.

The former Giants defensive end was executive director of the association and CEO of the foundation for nearly three years. Martin will stay on in an advisory capacity for a few months.

MLB: Slumping Pujols grudgingly takes a seat

Albert Pujols, stumbling aimlessly through the longest home run drought of his 12-year career, was not in the Angels’ starting lineup against the Blue Jays last night for the first time this season and he wasn’t happy about it.

Manager Mike Scioscia informed the 32-year-old slugger on Friday night he was going to rest him. Pujols, in the first year of a 10-year, $240 million contract, has gone a career-worst 33 games and 137 at-bats without a home run since late last season.

It gave Pujols, the Angels’ No. 3 hitter, a chance to contemplate his .194 batting average and the five RBIs he’s had through his first 27 games in the AL.

But Pujols wasn’t buying it. When a group of reporters approached his locker, he said: “Go ask the manager, not me, guys. I don’t make the lineup.”

One day after blowing his fourth save this season, the Marlins demoted closer Heath Bell. Manager Ozzie Guillen, who hinted at the move in recent days, said he couldn’t wait any longer for the struggling Bell to correct his problems.

Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer and the Orioles won their fourth straight and 10th in their past 12 games with an 8-2 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The loss was Boston’s ninth in its past 10 home games. The Red Sox have lost four games in a row.

GOLF: Funk, Lehman share second-round lead

Fred Funk shot a 3-under 69 in sweltering heat for a share of the second-round lead with Tom Lehman in the Champions Tour’s Insperity Championship in suburban Houston.

Lehman followed his opening 65 with a 70 to match Funk at 9-under 135. Mike Goodes and Brad Bryant were one shot back. Michael Allen, going for his third straight victory, had a 68 to join Bobby Clampett at 7 under.

In Seville, Spain, Simon Dyson had a 1-under 71 after a final-hole double bogey left him with a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 100th Spanish Open.

Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal (69) and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (71) shared second place.

In Rio de Janeiro, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum and France’s Karine Icher each shot 7-under 66 to share the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour’s 36-hole Brazil Cup exhibition event. American Katie Futcher was a shot behind.

ETC.: Chelsea wins fourth FA Cup in six years

In Wembley, England, Chelsea needed a goal from Didier Drogba for the fourth time in an FA Cup final to survive a second-half Liverpool onslaught and win the trophy for the fourth time in six years with a 2-1 victory. … Lionel Messi scored four times to take his season tally to an unprecedented 72 goals and give Barcelona a 4-0 win over crosstown rival Espanyol .

In Helsinki, Jack Johnson scored his second goal of the game 1:47 into overtime to give the United States a 5-4 victory over Canada in the hockey world championships.

The Americans beat Canada at this event for the first time since 2001 and the fourth time in 42 tries overall.

Jeff Gordon won the pole for today’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. Gordon ran a lap at 191.623 mph yesterday, good enough to bump AJ Allmendinger to second. Marcos Ambrose qualified third.

Shaquille O’Neal received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University in Miami alongside 1,100 other students during commencement ceremonies.

In East Rutherford, Nate Diaz continued his dominant return to the UFC lightweight division and defeated Jim Miller by submission in the second round to win the promotion’s third major network card on FOX.