Troy Aikman and wife separate

Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy says quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ shoulder is sore after he was hit during Sunday’s NFC championship game victory over the Chicago Bears.

The Packers quarterback appeared to take a shot on his right shoulder from Bears defensive back Danieal Manning during his 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of Sunday’s game.

Rodgers has had two concussions this season.

BIG RATINGS FOR LEAGUE TITLE GAMES: The AFC championship game earned its highest television rating in 14 years, while the NFC game also drew the best rating for the early conference championship game in the same span.

AGUILERA TO SING ANTHEM AT SUPER BOWL: Christina Aguilera will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 in Texas.

The five-time Grammy award winning singer will be making an encore at the NFL championship. The previously announced halftime show will feature The Black Eyed Peas.

ROOF WILL BE CLOSED FOR BIG GAME: The retractable roof at $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium will be closed for the Super Bowl.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said yesterday the decision was made well in advance of the Feb. 6 game so the league could have a “singular focus” on logistics.

NEWTON WORKING OUT WITH QB COACH: Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton is working with quarterbacks coach George Whitfield Jr. leading up to the NFL combine.

One of Newton’s agents, Bus Cook, said yesterday that Newton is in San Diego, Calif., with Whitfield, who worked with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during his four-game suspension.

BENGALS WON’T TRADE QB PALMER: The Bengals aren’t willing to trade Carson Palmer, who wants to leave one of the NFL’s least-successful franchises while he’s still in his prime.

Palmer hasn’t talked to the media since making his trade request. SEARCH FOR REED’S BROTHER HALTED: A private search team called in by Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and family members suspended a search of the Mississippi River late yesterday but planned to return “no matter the weather” at first light to continue looking for the body of Reed’s missing 28-year-old brother.

CROMARTIE GOES OFF ON UNION, NFL: Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie used an expletive to describe union and NFL leaders yesterday in his latest profanity-filled rant.

Cromartie is a free agent after his first season with the Jets.

AIKMAN, WIFE SEPARATE: Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and his wife have separated after more than a decade of marriage.

BRONCOS LAND NEW D-COORDINATOR: The Denver Broncos are turning to Dennis Allen to fix the league’s worst defense.

Allen served as New Orleans’ secondary coach the past five seasons.

DALLAS (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and his wife have separated after more than a decade of marriage.

Rhonda Aikman had a daughter from a previous marriage. Property records indicate Rhonda Aikman in November bought a five-bedroom home in a nearby neighborhood.

Aikman, on Feb. 6, is scheduled to be part of the Fox broadcast team for the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium, with the Packers facing the Steelers.

Messages left Tuesday for Aikman were not immediately returned to The Associated Press.