Bennett roughed up by police, Elliott probe ‘bad look for NFL’
Michael Bennett says Vegas cops roughed him up, threatened to ‘blow my head off’
Michael Bennett, All-Pro defensive end of the Seattle Seahawks, said police in Las Vegas jammed a knee into his back, handcuffed him so tight that his fingers went numb, and pointed a gun near his head. He said they told him that if he moved, “they would blow my fucking head off.” He said he felt he was “facing the real possibility of being killed.” The incident occurred after Saturday’s Mayweather-McGregor fight. Bennett and companions began running when they heard what sounded like gunshots. Police apparently assumed Bennett was involved in gunplay although there actually were no gunshots fired. Bennett was soon released without charges filed. He said he’s considering his legal options.
Dear Michael: Your decision to sit during the national anthem is making more sense.
‘Really bad look for the NFL’ as it botches the suspension of Ezekiel Elliott
Considering it spent a year investigating Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for possible sexual assault, it’s difficult to believe what a sloppy job the NFL did. The league presented a confused case at arbitration, which is why the proceedings were delayed, allowing Elliott to play Sunday night against the New York Giants. Chris Simms, former NFL QB and now an analyst for NBCS’ Pro Football Talk, said: “I think it’s a really bad look for the NFL right now. . . . This looks worse than Deflategate in a lot of ways.” The most obvious blunder was commissioner Roger Goodell’s failure to consult Kia Roberts, the NFL’s lead investigator who interrogated the accuser, Tiffany Thompson. “Hear what she (Roberts) had to say about the credibility of the witness. . . . Talking about the timeline of the bruising . . . You can’t tell the age of a bruise just from a photograph. . . . And the doctor who said she (Thompson) was in the hospital all day and then didn’t go to testify . . . It really looks like they decided to execute a player before they went through the judiciary process.”
Dear Roger: Like a rookie prosecutor, you submitted shaky evidence while ignoring one fact that’s undeniable. There’s video of Elliott grabbing and exposing a woman’s breast during a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Can’t you suspend him for that?
A&M regent goes to social media to call for Sumlin firing
When the Texas A&M Aggies blew a 34-point lead to lose to UCLA on Saturday, a member of the Board of Regents blasted coach Kevin Sumlin on Facebook. Tony Buzbee, a Houston attorney, said, “He recruits well, but he can’t coach the big games, or the close games. . . . Kevin Sumlin needs to go. In my view he needs to go now.”
Cam Newton praises ‘the Caucasian effect’ in preparation by McCaffrey, Olsen
When reporters asked Cam Newton about the work ethic of rookie running back Christian McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers QB said, “He’s like Greg Olsen. It’s like that Caucasian effect at the skill positions for us. No racial slurs intended. It’s just the Caucasian guys we have on our team do an incredible job of preparing their bodies. I mean, 30 minutes before practice, stretch, muscle activation, hot tub, cold tub, hot tub, cold tub, more stretching. I really think sometimes they are battling to see who can get looser than the other person.”
Dear Cam: In normal times that might be an amusing comment, but this is not an appropriate time to toss red meat to white supremacists.
Washington safety announces retirement from NFL at age 22
Su’a Cravens, who distinguished himself as a rookie last season playing a hybrid role of linebacker/safety, announced through social media that he was retiring from the Washington Redskins as this season was about to begin. Cravens, 6-1, 225 pounds, posted of needing “to follow what makes me happy, get my mental right, my well-being right, my family right.” Redskins coach Jay Gruden hopes to talk Cravens into playing again after he takes a month off to deal with his off-the-field issues. “There are things weighing on his mind he has to take care of. Sometimes your personal life is more important.”
Between the Lines: Cravens will forfeit $1.6 million in income if he does not return to the team in four weeks. Even if he does, his wavering this early in his pro career does not bode well.
Red Sox used technology to steal sign from Yankees, Manfred says
The Boston Red Sox stole signs from the New York Yankees and relayed information to their players in the field, said commissioner Rob Manfred. But he added: “We actually do not have a rule against stealing signs.” However, there is a rule prohibiting electronic devices in the dugout, and the Sox are believed to have used such a device for their spying operation. The Yankees filed a complaint on July 18. “We are 100% comfortable it is not an ongoing issue,” Manfred said.
Dear Commish: You’re naïve if you think there will be no more sign-stealing by electronic means. But of course, surveillance can work both ways. Expect dugouts to be filmed by the opponents.