NFL: The Bengals stuck with linebacker Vontaze Burfict through all his troubles, including a hit to Antonio Brown’s head that led to a playoff loss. They finally released him after a season of below-average performance. During seven seasons with Cincinnati, Burfict was repeatedly suspended by the NFL for egregious hits and violating its policy on performance-enhancers. Burfict, 28, was suspended for the first four games last season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers. A hip injury and concussions further limited him to seven games with only 33 tackles, no sacks and no interceptions. ... Haloti Ngata found a unique way to announce his retirement from the NFL: from atop Mount Kilimanjaro. The 35-year-old Ngata, who played with the Eagles last season following three years with the Lions, was at his best with the Ravens. He made two All-Pro teams and five Pro Bowls in nine seasons in Baltimore. The defensive tackle posted his retirement message on Instagram. “Just a man standing on top of the world with a heart full of gratitude,” Ngata wrote. ... The 49ers re-signed defensive back Jimmie Ward to a one-year deal. ... The Packers re-signed veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis. ... The Vikings re-signed running back Ameer Abdullah to a one-year contract. ... The Redskins signed offensive tackle Ereck Flowers to a $4 million, one-year contract.

SKIING: Mikaela Shiffrin earned a record $885,000 in prize money during the World Cup ski season. Shiffrin’s 17 victories — the most ever in a season — gave her at least double the amount of the next highest earner on the women’s circuit. Petra Vlhova was second with $427,000. Marcel Hirscher, who won a record-extending eighth straight overall World Cup title, topped the men’s list with $564,000. Shiffrin won the women’s overall title for the third straight year.

SOCCER: UEFA charged Cristiano Ronaldo for a provocative gesture mocking Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone after Juventus eliminated the Spanish club from the Champions League. UEFA says its disciplinary panel will judge the charge of “improper conduct” on Thursday. Simeone was fined $22,700 by UEFA for making an obscene gesture after Atletico took the lead in a 2-0 win over Juventus in the first leg. Ronaldo’s hat trick in the 3-0 win in the return leg in Turin last week sent Juventus to the quarterfinals. Ronaldo celebrated at the final whistle by mimicking Simeone’s gesture.

TENNIS: A Swedish tennis player who is a sophomore at the University of San Diego has been suspended and fined after admitting to having bet on tennis matches. The Tennis Integrity Unit said David Norfeldt has been suspended for eight months and fined $6,000 after he acknowledged placing 195 bets between April 2016 and January 2017, though he did not play in any of the matches on which he wagered. The suspension will be lifted after four months if Norfeldt, 20, does not commit any additional breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program. Norfeldt will be unable to attend or compete in any tournament sanctioned by tennis’ governing bodies.

— Edited from news services