CriminalSports

CriminalSports: NFL
National Football League

Thursday, July 04, 2002

JAILED: Rodney Wright, Buffalo Bills
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Associated Press reports Buffalo Bills rookie WR Rodney Wright, a seventh-round draft selection, was arrested Tuesday on charges that he injured two people during a hit-and-run crash. Wright surrendered Tuesday afternoon and was jailed on reckless driving and felony hit-and-run charges.

SENTENCED: Mike Hardin, former NFL player

GOLDEN, Colo. – Associated Press reports former Denver Broncos safety Mike Harden was sentenced to six years in a halfway house for defrauding and stealing from women he knew.

DEFERRED JUDGEMENT: Plaxico Burress, Pittsburgh Steelers

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication against Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress will be dismissed if he is not arrested again or charged with any other crimes within a year, a judge ruled yesterday.

RELEASED: Jim Brown, NFL Hall of Fame

VENTURA, Calif. – Associated Press reports Jim Brown was released from jail Wednesday after completing a term for vandalizing his wife's car. Brown, who was released two months early, received a six-month sentence after he refused to undergo court-ordered counseling and community service.

SUED: Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings
Associated Press reports Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper is being sued by Nike. They claim he breached a contract by signing with Reebok without giving Nike a chance to match the offer. Culpepper had signed a one-year deal with Nike in July ’00, which allegedly gave Nike the right to match any other offer. Culpepper allegedly agreed to re-sign with Nike verbally back in October, but the deal hasn’t been completed.

SEEKING REGULATORY RELIEF: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL

NEW YORK – Buster Olney of NY Times reports new health privacy law could create enormous problems for professional sports teams when compliance is required next year. Professional clubs are seeking regulatory relief.

July 02, 2002

PRELIMINARY HEARING DELAYED, Darrell Russell, Oakland Raiders)
OAKLAND, Calif. – Modesto Bee reports Oakland Raiders DL Darrell Russell will have to wait another month to know whether or not he’ll be tried on charges that he videotaped the rape of a 28-year-old woman. Preliminary hearings were expected to be wrapped up on Monday, but both the prosecutors and defense lawyers said they needed more time. The case will resume on August 2.

June 25, 2002

Two Couples Sue SF's Newberry Over Bar Fight

SAN FRANCISCO – 49ers center Jeremy Newberry, who last month denied his involvement in a Memorial Day outing fight, is being sued by two couples in a separate incident where Newberry is again the alleged center of a fight. The couples claim they were beaten when a fight broke out after they accused Newberry and a female friend of taking reserved seats at a table and refusing to move when asked. Contra Costa Times coverage.

Miami's Williams Downplays Recent Police Encounters

MIAMI – Running back Ricky Williams says he doesn't want to play the race card but other Dolphins claim some Miami players are being racially profiled. Williams has had encounters with the police four times since being traded to Miami earlier this year. Miami Herald coverage.

While in Rehab, 49ers' Sutherland Pleads Not Guilty to DUI Charges

Vinny Sutherland, a 49ers punt returner and reserve wide receiver, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to drunken driving and hit-and-run charges in the crash of his sport-utility vehicle last month. Sutherland faces up to two years in county jail if convicted on all the charges, which include driving with a suspended license following a previous drunken driving arrest last September in San Mateo County. Mercury News coverage.

Ex-Bear Avellini Arrested in Bar Fracas

CHICAGO -- Former Bears quarterback Bob Avellini is free on a $100 bond after he allegedly used a golf club to smash the glass door of a North Side tavern after employees would not let him back inside. Chicago Tribune coverage.

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