Sports Digest

O'Neal has surgery torepair injured thumb INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal had surgery on his injured right thumb Monday and seems likely to miss the rest of the regular season. If he gets back for the playoffs, though, O'Neal is promising to make up for his time out. O'Neal will miss about eight weeks, the team said. He was examined Sunday by specialist Dr. Thomas Graham at the National Hand Center in Baltimore, who performed the surgery Monday morning. The recovery timeline means O'Neal, who turns 38 on Saturday, may not be ready for the start of the playoffs April 17. The Cavaliers acquired him last summer with an eye toward the postseason, after Dwight Howard and Orlando eliminated them in the Eastern Conference finals. O.J.'s 'acquittal suit' to be donated SANTA MONICA -- With O.J. Simpson giving his agreement from prison, a judge approved a plan Monday to donate the suit the former NFL star was wearing when he was acquitted of murder to the Smithsonian Institution. The deal ends a 13-year legal battle between Simpson's former sports agent Mike Gilbert and Fred Goldman, the father of the man Simpson was accused of killing in 1994. Both men claimed the right to the suit, shirt and tie Simpson was wearing Oct. 3, 1995, when he was acquitted of killing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman after a trial that riveted the nation. Gilbert, who has had the clothes in his possession, came up with the idea of a donation. Ochocinco among new 'Dancing With the Stars' cast LOS ANGELES -- Chad Ochocinco is putting on his dancing shoes for TV. Known for his touchdown celebrations in the end zone, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is taking his act from the gridiron to the stage as a contestant on the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars." Gold medal figure skater Evan Lysacek and sportscaster Erin Andrews will also compete. "Dancing With the Stars" returns March 22 with a cast that includes model-actress Pamela Anderson and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Athletes have typically done well on the hit show, with Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and gymnast Shawn Johnson all winning in previous seasons. Former NFL stars Jerry Rice and Warren Sapp, and current Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor have also been runners-up.