Bears show Gould the gold

Gould: New deal with Bears

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The Chicago Bears have signed Pro Bowl kicker Robbie Gould to a five-year contract extension.

The 26-year-old, who helped the team reach the Super Bowl in 2007, was in the final year of his original deal.

Gould was working for a construction company three years ago before being offered a trial with Chicago.

Since signing he has converted 84 out of 99 field goals as well as missing just one of his 100 extra point attempts.

"This is one of those opportunities that's once-in-a-lifetime and life-changing, and I'm just excited to have it," Gould said on the Bears' website.

"I'm excited that my hard work has paid off, but I'm definitely not done working hard and making field goals and kicking kick-offs. That's what I get paid to do."

Everett released

The Buffalo Bills have released Kevin Everett, the tight end who suffered a near-fatal spinal cord injury on the opening day of last season.

Everett, 26, was initially left paralysed from the waist down after being hurt trying to make a tackle against the Denver Broncos.

He is now able to walk again and accepted an invitation from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to attend Super Bowl XLII in Arizona.

The team have now placed him on the NFL's waived/failed physical list, a move that makes the player eligible for benefits that will ensure his financial future as he continues his rehabilitation.

"The Buffalo Bills continue to be moved by Kevin Everett's heart-warming story of his recovery," the Bills said in a statement.

"Kevin will always remain a Buffalo Bill in the same way that Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and so many others before him are held in the highest regard by our franchise."