American football

Pete Carroll, the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, has signed a five-year contract to be the head coach of the New England Patriots, succeeding Bill Parcells who resigned last week. In 1994 Carroll was the head coach of the New York Jets.

Cary Blanchard, of the Indianapolis Colts, kicked a 37-yard field goal eight minutes into overtime to give the AFC a 26-23 victory over the NFC in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii on Sunday. Blanchard had missed two of three field goal attempts, including a 41-yard effort earlier in overtime.