CriminalSports: CriminalSports: NFL

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:28:24 GMT

SUSPENDED: Brentson Buckner, Carolina Panthers

NEW YORK -- ESPN.com reports Veteran tackle Brentson Buckner of the Carolina Panthers was suspended four games Monday for violating the NFL's steroids abuse policy. The much-traveled Buckner, in his ninth season in the league, has helped turn Carolina's unit into one of the league's best defensive lines. Buckner's agent, George Mavrikes, said Buckner took a diet pill before training camp with an ingredient that's on the league's list of banned substances.

"It was all-organic, all-natural, and that's where you get into trouble,'' Mavrikes said. "He didn't really think that by taking a diet pill it would be banned, because it was not a performance enhancer."

Buckner, 31, will be eligible to return to the team after its Dec. 1 game at Cleveland. During the suspension, Buckner cannot work out at Carolina's facility and cannot have contact with team officials. The suspension will cost him $164,705. His base salary this season is $700,000.

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:14:01 GMT

INNOCENT PLEA: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Associated Press reports Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski pleaded innocent to charges of driving under the influence. He did not appear in court to enter his plea Monday and remains free on his own recognizance. If convicted, Janikowski, Oakland's first-round draft pick in 2000, could face up to six months in jail. Janikowski was stopped for speeding in Oakland early last month and failed a sobriety test, police said. Officers said his blood-alcohol level registered 0.20, more than twice the legal limit.

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 22:05:09 GMT

ARRESTED: Tommy Bennett, Former NFL

PHOENIX -- Associated Press reports former Arizona Cardinals safety Tommy Bennett was arrested last week, accused of failing to appear in court on charges of drug paraphernalia possession and driving with a suspended license. The Cardinals released Bennett in August 2001, and he signed with the Detroit Lions. He was suspended for the final four games of 2001 for violating the NFL's steroid-use policy. The Lions did not renew his contract.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:43:02 GMT

CONSIDERING PLEA DEAL: Derrick Rogers, Miami Dolphins

MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers was given an extension Friday to decide on a plea offer on charges he kicked and punched his wife and attacked a man with her at a restaurant.

A new hearing is Nov. 15. If Rodgers doesn't accept the offer, he will go on trial Nov. 25.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Rodgers has pleaded innocent to five charges. Under the offer, he would be sentenced to three years' probation.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:40:31 GMT

CHARGED: Deuce McAlister, New Orleans Saints

KENNER, La. -- Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister was arrested for driving with a suspended license after he was caught speeding. McAllister was pulled over Saturday morning on his way to the Saints' practice facility for driving 70 mph in a 40 mph zone, coach Jim Haslett said. McAllister's license was suspended because he had not paid a ticket.

McAllister was booked at the Kenner jail, then transported to a Jefferson Parish jail where he was released on bond, police said. The bond amount and length of time McAllister spent in jail was unknown.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:23:24 GMT

DENIAL: Najeh Davenport, Green Bay Packers

MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Green Bay Packers fullback Najeh Davenport agreed Tuesday to do community service to settle charges he broke into a university dormitory and defecated in a sleeping woman's closet. Davenport, however, continued to deny the charges. "Where's the evidence? Where's the manure?" Davenport asked outside court. "I know I didn't do it — I just wanted to get it over with."

Details of the player's service were not released during his court appearance. He must sign up for the program by Nov. 12. If he completes the program, a felony charge of second-degree burglary and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief will be dropped.

Prosecutor Jonathan Schwartz said by telephone he couldn't comment on specific evidence because the case could go back to court if Davenport fails the diversion program. But, he added: "If there was no evidence in the case, we wouldn't have brought any charges."

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 21:10:04 GMT

ARRESTED: Bryan Robinson, Chicago Bears

CHICAGO -- The Sports Network reports Chicago Bears defensive end Bryan Robinson has voluntarily entered himself into the NFL's substance-abuse program following his second DUI charge of the year, according to published reports. Robinson was arrested for drunken driving and released on his own recognizance early last Friday. He was pulled over by police in suburban Lincolnshire at 2:30 a.m. (ct) Friday for improper lane use. He was then arrested on charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license and improper lane use.

Robinson was released on a $3,000 recognizance bond last week and has a court date set for November 15.

"He used very poor judgment last week. He was out at 2:30 a.m. on a Friday morning before a Sunday game," Bears' Coach Dick Jauron said Wednesday. "Anything that causes us to be distracted from our goal is really not going to be tolerated on our football team."

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 20:36:25 GMT

ARRESTED: Cosey Coleman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. -- Associated Press reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Cosey Coleman was released from jail Tuesday after being charged with beating the mother of his 8-month-old son outside a day care center. The 6-foot-4, 322-pound Coleman is accused of slapping the woman as she leaned into his car Monday. He then followed her to her vehicle and slapped her again as he held the child in his arms, Tampa police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.

At one point the woman drove away, and when she returned, Coleman pushed, kicked and slapped her before pulling her out of the vehicle by her ankles, police said.

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 20:11:58 GMT

PLEA DEAL: Najeh Davenport, Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY -- Packers.com reports Najeh Davenport will enter into a plea agreement next week in a Florida court which will allow him to perform community service in the form of football camps for kids in exchange for the dismissal of charges levied against him following his July 8 arrest. The Green Bay Packers rookie running back was arrested in Miami Shores, Fla., on charges of breaking into the dormitory room of a Barry University woman and defecating in her closet.

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 19:47:24 GMT

NO CHARGES: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers

GREENSBURG, Pa. -- Associated Press reports Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis won't be charged following a sexual assault complaint because the uncle of the woman who accused him may have talked about extorting money from Bettis. Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck said Tuesday that several people told investigators the woman's uncle had talked of various schemes to entrap a Steelers player in order to reach a financial settlement. Some of the people said the man mentioned Bettis specifically, Peck said.

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 19:40:12 GMT

CONVICTED: Fulton Walker, Jr., Former NFL

MARTINSBURG, W.Va.-- Associated Press reports former record-setting NFL kick returner Fulton Walker Jr. has been sentenced to six months' home confinement and five years' probation for distributing marijuana from his home. The 44-year-old Martin pleaded guilty in July to charges that he distributed 228 grams of marijuana. Walker must attend a substance abuse and mental health treatment program, and pay a $1,000 fine and all electronic monitoring costs.

Walker played for the Miami Dolphins from 1981-84 and for the Los Angeles Raiders the following year. He set a record with a 98-yard kickoff return in the 1983 Super Bowl against the Washington Redskins.

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:05:24 GMT

CHARGED: Darren Hambrick, Cleveland Browns

BEREA, Ohio - Associated Press reports Cleveland Browns linebacker Darren Hambrick has been charged with stealing a check for about $5,700 from the Carolina Panthers. Hambrick is accused of stealing the money three weeks after joining the Panthers in October 2001, according to court records. He flew to Florida last week and surrendered to authorities, who had issued an arrest warrant for the fifth-year linebacker in August, just days before he signed with the Browns. He was released on $10,000 bail. Browns coach Butch Davis said the team did not plan to discipline Hambrick, their starting strongside linebacker.

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 19:44:48 GMT

CONVICTED: Deidra Lane, Widow of Fred Lane

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Associated Press reports the widow of NFL running back Fred Lane, who is awaiting trial on charges she murdered her husband, pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to conspiring to commit bank larceny. The agreement, in which Deidra Lane pleaded guilty to a single felony count, was not connected to charges that accuse her of gunning down Fred Lane at their home in Charlotte on July 6, 2000. She has claimed she shot him in self-defense.

Lane wasn't sentenced immediately, but faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In exchange for her guilty plea, the government dismissed a bank larceny charge that also carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the plea, Lane admitted that between June 15, 1998, and July 1, 1998, she conspired with Natosha Watson, a teller at a Wachovia Bank branch in Charlotte. They stole more than $41,000 from the bank on or about July 1, 1998, according to the agreement.

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 19:40:45 GMT

CHARGED: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Associated Press reports Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski was charged with driving under the influence, adding another chapter to his history of legal problems. Janikowski was stopped for speeding in Oakland early Wednesday and failed a sobriety test, police said Friday. His blood-alcohol level registered 0.20, more than twice the legal limit, police said.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 21:10:52 GMT

CHARGED: Aaron Beasley, New York Jets

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Associated Press reports New York Jets cornerback Aaron Beasley has been charged with a misdemeanor of simple battery during a bar fight in Jacksonville on July 6. Hank Coxe, Beasley's attorney, said Tuesday the charge was filed against Beasley over the weekend when the Jets were in Jacksonville for Sunday's game with the Jaguars. Beasley, a former Jaguar, has a Nov. 25 court date in Duval County Court, but is not required to attend.

Desmond Harris, 24, of Jacksonville, told police Beasley punched him in the eye when he and Beasley were wrestling around in the parking lot outside the Voodoo Lounge.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 21:07:18 GMT

ARRESTED: Freddie Bradley, Former NFL

OXNARD, Calif. -- Associated Press reports former San Diego Chargers running back Freddie Bradley was arrested for investigation of selling rock cocaine. Bradley, 32, and his wife Edith, 30, were arrested on Sept. 26 at his home after police served a search warrant and found packaged rock cocaine, weapons and money, Detective Mike Young said.

Bradley pleaded innocent Monday to three felony charges of possession for sale of cocaine and sale and transportation of a controlled substance. His wife pleaded innocent to one count of possession for sale of cocaine base, according to the Ventura County district attorney's office.

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 20:17:17 GMT

SUSPENDED: Tyrone Robertson, Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Associated Press reports Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Tyrone Robertson was suspended for four games by the NFL on Wednesday for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Robertson, Buffalo's seventh-round pick in last year's draft, was placed on the Bills reserved-suspended list, is eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 28. The NFL would not elaborate on the details of the violation.

Tue, 01 Oct 2002 21:42:05 GMT

NEW CHARGES: Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS -- Associated Press reports Minnesota Vikings star receiver Randy Moss was charged Tuesday with possession of a small amount of marijuana, adding to charges last week that he pushed a traffic officer with his car. The new petty misdemeanor count carries a fine of up to $200, but it could also lead to a suspension or fine from the NFL. Police said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss' car after he was arrested on Sept. 24. Moss was driving in downtown Minneapolis when the traffic officer stepped in front of his car to stop him from making an illegal turn.

Tue, 01 Oct 2002 16:36:17 GMT

LITIGATION THREAT: Cochran May Sue Over NFL Hiring Policies

BALTIMORE -- Associated Press reports attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. released a report Monday that criticizes the NFL's hiring practice involving black head coaches, and threatened to sue the league if it does not adhere to suggestions to remedy the situation. The report determined that black coaches averaged 1.1 more wins per season than white coaches and led their teams to the playoffs 67 percent of the time compared with 39 percent of the time for white coaches. But Cochran noted there have been only five black head coaches since 1986 — Art Shell, Dennis Green, Tony Dungy, Ray Rhodes and Herman Edwards. Only Indianapolis' Dungy and Edwards of the New York Jets are currently employed as head coaches.

Sun, 29 Sep 2002 21:21:10 GMT

RANDY MOSS UPDATE: NFL Tests Receiver for Marijuana Use

MINNEAPOLIS -- ESPN reports the NFL tested Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss for marijuana use last week following his arrest Tuesday for allegedly pushing a woman with his car in downtown Minneapolis. ESPN also reported that Moss is already in the NFL's substance abuse program after testing positive for marijuana last season. The standard NFL penalty for a second violation of the league's drug policy is a four game suspension without pay.

Moss was jailed Tuesday night and charged on Wednesday with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic officer. The maximum penalty on each count is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. He will be arraigned Wednesday. The Vikings reportedly will fine him up to $50,000.

Police said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss' Lexus, an amount that would qualify as a petty misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $200. But a city prosecutor said no drug charge had been filed by Thursday evening, and Moss said the marijuana did not belong to him. Other people have had use of the car, he said.

Fri, 27 Sep 2002 17:41:01 GMT

APOLOGY: Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Associated Press reports Randy Moss insisted he wasn't looking for trouble when he pushed a traffic officer with his car. "I don't know if trouble is out to find me, but I'm certainly not out to find trouble," the Minnesota wide receiver said Thursday.

Police charged Moss with two misdemeanors for pushing the traffic officer with his car Tuesday after she stepped in front of it to stop him from making an illegal turn. The officer was slightly injured when she fell off the car. While making no direct mention of the traffic officer, Moss apologized Thursday to teammates, family and friends and "everyone who really cares and feels a part of me or this team."

The 25-year-old player faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and $1,000 on each charge. He'll be arraigned Oct. 2. Police also said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss' car, an amount that would qualify as a petty misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $200. But no drug charge has been filed, and Moss said the marijuana did not belong to him. Other people have had use of the car, he said.

Moss Contends Media's Purple Prose Ruining His Reputation

Fri, 27 Sep 2002 17:31:11 GMT

APOLOGY: Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants

NEW YORK -- Associated Press reports New York Giants rookie Jeremy Shockey apologized for comments about gays made two weeks ago during an appearance on Howard Stern's radio show. During the Sept. 10 interview, Stern asked Shockey if he thought there were any gay players in the NFL.

"I don't know, Shockey said. "I don't like to think about that. I hope not. The star tight end also was asked if he had any gay teammates at the University of Miami.

"No," he said. "I mean, if I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn't, you know, stand for it. You know, I think, you know, they're going to be in the shower with us and stuff, so I don't think that's going to work."

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 13:06:39 GMT

CHARGED: Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS -- Star Tribune reports Randy Moss, the star receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, was released from the Hennepin County jail Wednesday after he was charged with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic control officer, both misdemeanors. Moss said the whole affair was a "misunderstanding." Vikings coach Mike Tice said Moss will start Sunday night in a nationally televised game in Seattle, but will be fined for missing part of practice.

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:52:44 GMT

CHARGED: Lew Bush, Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Associated Press reports Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Lew Bush was arrested and cited early Wednesday for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was released on $600 bond and ticketed for straddling a lane and DUI. Police said they received a call that a car was driving recklessly. They pulled the car over about 12:20 a.m. and Bush failed several field sobriety tests, police added. The report said the 32-year-old player refused to take a breathalyzer.

Wed, 25 Sep 2002 07:52:36 GMT

ARRESTED: Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS -- Star Tribune reports Vikings star receiver Randy Moss was arrested Tuesday evening after he allegedly pushed a traffic control agent for a half-block with his car before knocking her down during rush hour in downtown Minneapolis, police said.

Moss, 25, of Eden Prairie, was booked into the Hennepin County jail for alleged second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon after striking Amy Elizabeth Zaccardi, 27, of Coon Rapids. She suffered minor injuries when she fell to the street. As of 9 p.m., Moss had not been charged and was being held without bail.