Pitino out as FBI investigation focuses on Louisville basketball
Louisville implicated in FBI investigation of recruiting scandal
The University of Louisville basketball program is under investigation by the FBI for a pay-for-play scheme. Joon Kim, U.S. attorney in New York, said the FBI used wire taps and undercover agents to reveal the “dark underbelly of college basketball.” Among the allegations is that an executive of Adidas arranged for $100,000 to go to the family of a top-ranked recruit if he would sign with Louisville and represent the shoe company upon turning pro.
Harbaugh says Purdue locker room is ‘a hot box’
Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh complained that his players’ safety is compromised by the inadequacies of the visitors’ locker room at Purdue University. He cited lack of air conditioning, too few urinals and a too-small trainer’s table. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer agreed with Harbaugh that some Big Ten locker rooms are not up to appropriate standards and that the issue will be addressed by the conference.
Aaron Hernandez’s family sues Patriots over degenerative brain disease
If ever a lawsuit might appear to be frivolous, it’s the one the heirs of deceased murderer Aaron Hernandez filed against the NFL and New England Patriots. But wait. Could it be that Hernandez turned into a violent criminal because the football team ignored his degenerative brain disease that resulted from concussion? Dr. Ann McKee of the CTE Center of Boston University examined Hernandez’s brain and concluded that he suffered from Stage 3 (of 4) of a disease that can cause depression and violent mood swings. Hernandez, father of a 4-year-old girl, Avielle, committed suicide at 27 while serving a lifetime prison sentence. “We’re told it’s the most severe case they had ever seen in someone Aaron’s age,” said attorney Jose Baez. He contends that the Pro Bowl tight end had shown signs of memory loss and impulsivity that the Patriots should have recognized as symptomatic of brain disease. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Baez argued that the team “concealed and misrepresented the risk of repeated traumatic head impacts.” Baez said he “deeply regrets” not using CTE as a defense in the trial in which his client was convicted of first-degree murder.
Between the Lines: If the suit is successful, the NFL could be liable in the future not just for damages to players but to others harmed by their actions after being concussed.
Patriots charge their fans $4 for a cup of tap water
When Gillette Stadium ran out of bottled water in Sunday’s game between the Houston Texans and New England Patriots, the concession stands began serving tap water – and charging $4 for a cup of it.
Dear Patriots: You can get away with just about anything as long as you’re world champs. But if your squeeze past Houston was an indicator, your arrogance won’t be tolerated for long.
1,000 show up for Cravens’ jersey giveaway/farewell, but he may return next year
When he announced he was going to give away a box of his jerseys, Washington Redskins safety Su’a Cravens expected 50-100 fans would show up for his farewell appearance before entering “retirement” at 22. But much to his surprise, more than 1,000 people gathered to bid farewell. After distributing his jerseys, Cravens signed autographs and posed for photos with everyone who stayed to chat with him. He did not say why he was leaving the team. “God has a plan for everybody, and right now he’s putting me through something he knows I can handle. It will make me stronger. Hopefully, around this time next year I will be back on that field.”
France may withdraw from 2018 Winter Olympics because of North Korean threat
France is considering not participating in the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea if North Korea’s nuclear weapons program continues to develop. The Games are scheduled for Feb. 9-25 in Pyeongchang, not to be confused with Pyongyang, capital of North Korea. Pyeongchang is 50 miles from the border that divides the two nations, and the French are concerned for the safety of their athletes. Laura Flessel, France’s sports minister, said, “If this gets worse and we do not have our security assured, we will stay home. We will not put our team in danger.”
Between the Lines: Flessel is the first politician to threaten to skip the Winter Games because of war games between North Korea and the USA. Expect more of this sort of talk.