Barry Sanders still has an appeal to Detroit Lions fans, just ask Mike Kozan.
Kozan, a 28-year-old suburban Detroit resident, turned an item he bought at an auction from the condemned Pontiac Silverdome into an almost $3,000 profit. No, it wasn't a seat from the former home of the Lions, or even game-worn apparel, but a urinal.
Kozan bought a urinal during an auction of stadium items last week for $23, then drug it to an autograph show to get it signed by Sanders. After Sanders initially refused, the Hall of Fame running back was convinced to sign the urinal, and Kozan placed the item on eBay, where the winning bid closed at $3,000 last week, ESPN.com reported.
"Barry felt bad turning him away after he had lugged the thing down there and waited in line," Sanders' agent J.B. Bernstein told ESPN.com.
Kozan doesn't seem to have any hard feelings. His friends at work call him the "urinal guy" and that he was recently recognized at a Detroit Tigers game. He plans to donate part of the profit to charity.
"I have the story now," Kozan said. "I'm glad I did it, and it was a pretty cool experience. ... The whole experience has been worth it. Somebody else gets to display it and have it forever."
Phil the nice
Phil Mickelson finished strong with a 5-under 65 Sunday at TPC Southwind in Memphis to claim a third-place finish in the St. Jude Classic, then kept up his good play.
Mickelson birdied the 18th hole, then approached a young girl near the green and handed her his golf glove, golf ball and the bib worn by caddie "Bones" Mackay during the tournament.
All the items were signed.
Mickelson then encouraged the crowd to cheer for the girl, who is a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, which led to a standing ovation.
"We're wishing you the best of luck," Mickelson said. "You've got a lot of people pulling for you."
Still got it
Michael Jordan has never lacked confidence. The Hall of Famer, six-time NBA champion, and current owner of the Charlotte Hornets boasted that in a recent interview with a French newspaper.
Jordan, 52, was asked during the interview if he plays some of the Hornets players now -- the Hornets went 33-49 this year -- and if he could win if he did so.
"I'm pretty sure I can, so I don't want to do that and demolish their confidence," Jordan told the newspaper. "So I stay away from them. I let them think they're good ... but I'm too old to do that anyway."
Sports quiz
Q. Barry Sanders' 15,269 career yards are third-most all-time. Which active running back is closest?
A. Steven Jackson, who is currently a free agent, has rushed for 11,388 yards and ranks 16th all-time.
Sports on 06/15/2015