NFL – Page 9 – North Platte Post Archive

Father: NFL Mishandled My Daughter’s Abuse Case

Posted on September 17, 2014

Brandon Marshall (Photo courtesy of ESPN.com)

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — The father of a woman who once dated NFL receiver Brandon Marshall is calling for the league’s commissioner to resign because he’s disappointed in the way it handled his daughter’s abuse case.

Clarence Watley spoke Wednesday at a news conference about his daughter, Rasheedah Watley, who he said was abused by Marshall.

Marshall was with the Denver Broncos and now plays for the Chicago Bears. He was suspended for three games in 2008, but the suspension was reduced to one game. He has denied the allegations.

Watley says he and others wrote to Commissioner Roger Goodell about the case and never heard back from league officials. Watley called the NFL’s investigation one-sided.

Attorney Gloria Allred called the press conference amid increasing attention on how the league handles domestic violence allegations.

NFL, Union Agree to New Drug Policy, HGH Testing

Posted on September 17, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL says it has reached an agreement with the players association on changes to its performance-enhancing drug policy, including the addition of human growth hormone testing.

The league said Wednesday that under the new rules, three previously suspended players — the Broncos’ Wes Welker, Cowboys’ Orlando Scandrick and Rams’ Stedman Bailey — will be eligible to return to their teams this week.

Testing for HGH was originally agreed upon in 2011, but the players had balked at the science in the testing and the appeals process for positive tests. Under the new deal, appeals of positive tests in the PED program will be heard by third-party arbitrators jointly selected by the NFL and union.

Anheuser-Busch ‘Disappointed’ in NFL

Posted on September 16, 2014

Anheuser-Busch, one of the NFL’s biggest sponsors, says it isn’t happy with the recent controversy that has engulfed the league.

The beer giant issued a statement on Tuesday saying it was “disappointed and increasingly concerned” by recent incidents and was not yet satisfied with the league’s response. It said it had shared its concerns and expectations with the NFL.

The league has come under fire for its handling of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice’s assault of his then-fiancee. The Minnesota Vikings have also been criticized for allowing Adrian Peterson to play while he faces a charge of abuse for spanking his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.

Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship fees alone are worth an estimated $50 million a year, according to sponsorship consultancy IEG.

NFL, Union Close to Finalizing New Drug Policy

Posted on September 15, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL and the players’ union are close to finalizing the drug policy changes they tentatively agreed upon last week.

Union spokesman George Atallah told The Associated Press on Monday that the “drug policies are currently getting finalized.” League and NFL Players Association attorneys and officials are reviewing the documents and could approve them this week.

One key element is how the changes affect players currently under suspension, including Denver receiver Wes Welker (four games) and Browns receiver Josh Gordon (entire season). Their bans would be reduced, and the union wants to see that happen before Week 3 games are played.

NFL: Domestic Violence Experts Added as Advisers

Posted on September 15, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL says three experts in domestic violence will serve as senior advisers to the league.

Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams Monday announcing that Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith will “help lead and shape the NFL’s policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.”

Friel was the head of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the New York County District Attorney’s Office for more than a decade. Randel is the co-founder of No More, a campaign against domestic violence and sexual assault. Smith is the former executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Goodell has been under heavy criticism for his handling of the domestic abuse case involving star running back Ray Rice.

Players’ Union Reps Approve HGH Testing for ’14

Posted on September 12, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Hours after the players’ union voted Friday to accept an NFL proposal on drug policy changes that included HGH testing, the league says it is not a done deal.

Player representatives to the union also voted for changes to marijuana testing, classification for amphetamines, punishment for driving under the influence, and neutral arbitration on appeals.

But NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email to The Associated Press: “There are unresolved issues. More negotiation ahead.”

Aiello did not specify which issues are not resolved, but called them “significant.”

Testing for human growth hormone was originally agreed upon in 2011, but the players have balked at the science in the testing and the appeals process for positive tests. If the proposal they voted on Friday is put into action, testing would begin for this season.

Estimate: 3 in 10 NFL Retirees Face Cognitive Woes

Posted on September 12, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A report in the NFL concussion litigation estimates that nearly three in 10 former players will develop at least moderate cognitive problems.

The report released Friday was prepared for the ex-players’ attorneys. It estimates that 28 percent of all retired players will be diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s disease or moderate dementia. That would represent nearly 6,000 of the 19,000 living former players.

The players’ actuary expects another 31 retirees to be diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and 24 with Parkinson’s disease during their lives.

The NFL also predicted that 28 percent of retired players will qualify for an award.

Both sides have agreed that $675 million should be enough to fund the settlement for 65 years, although the NFL says it will add more money if needed.

The fund wouldn’t cover current players.

Union Reps to Discuss NFL Drug Policy Again

Posted on September 12, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Player representatives to the union will discuss the NFL’s latest drug policy proposal during a second conference call.

The call is scheduled for late afternoon and a vote on the changes is possible. The 32 player reps did not vote earlier this week after holding a similar call.

On the table are changes that could provide for HGH testing, which the league and union initially agreed to when the collective bargaining agreement was reached in 2011. But the players have balked at the science in the testing, and also at the appeals process for positive tests.

The union has insisted that a satisfactory proposal to them must deal with a multitude of drug policy issues. Spokesman George Atallah said last week a “piecemeal” agreement did not interest players.

Ex-NFL Players Lose Bid to Disrupt Concussion Deal

Posted on September 11, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Seven former NFL players hoping to intervene in a proposed settlement of concussion claims have lost their federal court appeal.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit ruling Thursday comes just a day after the appeal was argued in Philadelphia.

The NFL would pay at least $765 million under the settlement to men diagnosed with moderate to severe cognitive problems they link to league concussions.

Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody has granted preliminary approval of the plan.

However, the seven former players object, calling it a “lousy deal” for athletes with symptoms that don’t qualify for awards.

They can still raise their objections at a court “fairness hearing” on the settlement in November, or file separate lawsuits.

The group includes 2008 Pro Bowl player Sean Morey, now Princeton University’s sprint football coach.

Women’s Organization Calls for Goodell to Resign

Posted on September 10, 2014

One of the country’s largest feminist groups has called for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resign.

The National Organization for Women says the NFL has “a violence-against-women problem” and “the only way to restore honor and integrity to the country’s most lucrative and popular pastime” is for Goodell to step down.

NOW says the league should appoint an independent investigator to look into violence against women, sexual assault and stalking. The NFL has been criticized for its handling of the domestic violence case involving Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league appreciates the concern and it has “already initiated steps with the help of outside experts to strengthen our policies and programs on domestic violence and sexual assault.”

According to tax returns submitted by the NFL, Goodell made more than $44 million in 2012 and the league’s revenues approached $10 billion.