Boston ? Rush Limbaugh’s bid to buy the St. Louis Rams ran into opposition within the NFL on Tuesday. Colts owner Jim Irsay vowed to vote against him, and commissioner Roger Goodell said the conservative commentator’s “divisive” comments would not be tolerated from any NFL insider.

“I, myself, couldn’t even consider voting for him,” Irsay said at an owners meetings. “When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive … our words do damage, and it’s something that we don’t need.”

Limbaugh has long been a hero of conservatives and villain to the left, thriving on his place in the political spectrum while establishing himself as one of the most successful broadcasters in history. But the NFL tries to avoid controversy, as Limbaugh learned in 2003 when he was forced to resign from ESPN’s Sunday night football broadcast after saying of Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb: “I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.”

“Divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about,” Goodell said.

NFL

Eagles hand out grants

Philadelphia — Months after facing criticism for signing convicted dogfighter Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles are making good on a pledge to support animal welfare groups. The team on Monday unveiled a program called TAWK, which stands for Treating Animals With Kindness. The Eagles awarded grants of $50,000 each to Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, the Humane Society of Berks County and the Humane Society of the United States.

NFL watching Cable probe

Boston — Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable will be subject to NFL discipline if he is implicated by police in their investigation of an alleged assault on an assistant coach. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that workplace violence is specifically identified in the league’s personal conduct policy, and if Cable is charged with any crimes, he could be punished by the NFL.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Gillispie, Kentucky settle

Lexington, Ky. — Former men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie and the University of Kentucky have settled their cases over his firing for nearly $3 million, the school said Tuesday.

Gillispie was dismissed earlier this year and sued for breach of contract and fraud in May, seeking at least $6 million. The university countersued.

He had not signed a contract during his two years coaching the Wildcats to a 40-27 record but was working under a memorandum of understanding. He charged that he should have been paid $1.5 million per year for four of the five years left on the deal.

In a statement, the university said the lawsuits were settled through mediation. The agreement, signed Tuesday, said Gillispie would receive a little more than $2.98 million.

Purdue guard suspended

West Lafayette, Ind. — Purdue guard Lewis Jackson has been suspended for two exhibition games and the season opener for violating team and NCAA rules. The team suspended him for two games after he pleaded guilty in April to charges of illegal alcohol consumption and possession of drug paraphernalia.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

N.M. coach suspended

Albuquerque, N.M. — New Mexico coach Mike Locksley has been suspended one game and will miss 10 days as punishment for striking an assistant coach.

Locksley initially was reprimanded, but athletic director Paul Krebs now says the coach will not be allowed to have any contact with the team this week from Tuesday through Friday and Monday through Oct. 24. Locksley won’t be on the sidelines when the Lobos (0-6) play their next game against visiting UNLV on Oct. 24. Assistant George Barlow, who coaches New Mexico’s defensive backs, will serve as an interim coach.

Receivers coach J.B. Gerald told Albuquerque police Locksley struck him during a Sept. 20 staff meeting at the football office, splitting his lip.

Bryant says he panicked

Oklahoma City — Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant claims he was worried he had done something wrong when he “panicked” and lied to the NCAA about a meeting with former NFL player Deion Sanders at a Texas athletics center.

In his written apology to the NCAA, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press following an open records request, Bryant said that he is “very, very sorry” and “made a terrible mistake” when he lied to Marcus M. Wilson, the NCAA’s assistant director of agent, gambling and amateurism activities, in July.

Holiday extends agreements

San Diego — The Holiday Bowl has extended agreements with the Pacific-10 and Big 12 conferences through 2013. The four-year extension begins with the 2010 game. The bowl will have the second selection of eligible Pac-10 teams after the Bowl Championship Series selection process and the fourth selection after the BCS process in the Big 12.

NBA

West back at practice

Independence, Ohio — Cavaliers guard Delonte West returned to practice Tuesday after missing one week to attend to personal issues. West took part in the team’s workout at Cleveland Clinic Courts, but was not with his teammates for the portion of practice open to the media. He was excused last week by the Cavaliers, who wanted to give him time to deal with legal and medical issues.

BASEBALL

Cubs gain approval

Wilmington, Del. — The sale of the Chicago Cubs moved closer Tuesday as a bankruptcy court judge said the team can go to the family of billionaire Joe Ricketts in a $845 million deal.

The judge had already cleared Tribune Co. to sell the team and Wrigley Field. But he gave his approval again Tuesday because the Cubs filed separately for Chapter 11 protection on Monday.

The team cited assets of $1.42 billion and liabilities of $1.26 billion, but the Cubs’ finances weren’t in question. The bankruptcy filing was made to ensure that the team can’t be hit with claims by Tribune creditors.

SOCCER

U.S. player hurt in accident

Arlington, Va. — U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies had several broken bones and a lacerated bladder after a one-vehicle accident Tuesday in which another person was killed. Davies underwent several hours of surgery at Washington Hospital Center Medstar, where he was listed in serious but stable condition.