Ray Rice Reinstated, Will Anyone Dare...???

((HT: WJZ-TV))

The HQ saw this coming a while back...

When it appeared that the NFL had gone after now-former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in a double jeopardy sense after the assault of his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer, in an elevator we thought the second suspension constituted what we thought.

Overzealous activity...

So, yes when judge Barbara Jones heard the case as an arbitor, we figured this would be her response:

"In this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated," Jones' decision stated.

"I find that the NFLPA carried its burden of showing that Rice did not mislead the Commissioner at the June 16th meeting, and therefore, that the imposition of a second suspension based on the same incident and the same known facts about the incident, was arbitrary," Jones also wrote.

"The Commissioner needed to be fair and consistent in his imposition of discipline.

"Moreover, any failure on the part of the League to understand the level of violence was not due to Rice's description of the event but to the inadequacy of words to convey the seriousness of domestic violence. That the League did not realize the severity of the conduct without a visual record also speaks to their admitted failure in the past to sanction this type of conduct more severely."

Here's the rundown from Baltimore...


Now, the larger question: Will anyone hire him for the stretch run this season or will there be some kind of collusion/adverse reaction to public opinion that will keep Rice unemployed in the NFL...???

The HQ thinks the latter...

For a while...

Charles Grant Fired From Bowie State For Alleged Incident With Student

((HT: TMZ Sports))

Here's the video just so you see what now-former Bowie State LB Coach and Assistant DC Charles Grant was getting in trouble over


Grant was fired...

“The Department of Athletics has zero tolerance of behavior that violates the University’s core values and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes,” the school said in a statement.

The incident occurred on October 30th and had been under investigation by Bowie police since.

Dwyer Formally Charged With Hitting His Wife

Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer has been charged with 9 counts- involving assaulting his wife in two separate incidents in July. The final tally is felony aggravated assault and eight misdemeanors, including assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

Investigators say Dwyer broke his wife's nose with a head-butt during the first argument and he allegedly punched his wife and threw a shoe at his 17-month-old son the next day.

Dwyer was booked September 17th on "suspicion of aggravated assault" against his son, but the indictment didn't have any charges related to any incident with him- just the nine with his wife.

Police in the Phoenix area also think that the first incident involving Dwyer and his wife centered around the notion that she didn't like apparent contact between Dwyer and another woman.

Lester Munson discusses the legal stuff
((HT: ESPN))


The next hearing involving Dwyer is set for October 6th in Phoenix.

Now, It's Jonathan Dwyer's Turn To Face Police On Domestic Abuse/Assault Charges

((HT: KTAR Radio/ABC15))

We now have another football player in trouble with the law... this time in Phoenix...

Arizona Cardinals' running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested after allegations of domestic abuse against his wife from late July on back-to-back days. According to KTAR Radio the incidents happened like this:

"In the first, Kayla sustained a fracture. In the second incident, Dwyer allegedly threw a shoe at the couple's 18-month-old son."

Phoenix police say Dwyer was charged with "one count of aggravated assault causing a fracture, one count of aggravated assault involving a minor, two counts of criminal damage and 1 count of preventing the use of a phone in an emergency and assault."

Police maintain that after the two incidents in dispute, Dwyer's wife and 18-month-old child left the state of Arizona. Kayla Dwyer, apparently, called Phoenix police a week ago alleging Jonathan Dwyer tweeted her a photo of a knife and threatened to harm himself if she contacted the police.

According to Phoenix police when he was interviewed, Dwyer admitted to the incidents in late July, but denied any assaults of his wife and child.

Here's the early reports from Phoenix
((HT: KTVK-TV))
Here's the statement from the team after Dwyer was escorted from their training facility: "Given the serious nature of the allegations we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities." Team officials also said they will closely monitor the situation."

Surprising No One, NFLPA Appeals Rice Suspension

((HT: ESPN))

Double jeopardy doesn't work in any formation of the law- and that inclues the implementation of suspensions in the NFL.

The NFLPA is challenging the indefinite suspension of former Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice on the grounds that he was penalized for the same infraction twice. No matter how repulsive the charge and action, the NFLPA is doing the job that you would expect an association to do to back up one of their employees.

"This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the commissioner of the NFL. We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators."

Jeff Saturday discusses:


Rice can apply for reinstatement when he convinces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he is "addressing this issue." Rice is in a diversion program at present and he could get the assault charged expunged if he completes it successfully.

But here's how the HQ sees this playing out...

The NFLPA will challenge, and will win their case. But no one will hire Ray Rice as an employee in the NFL (or any other league for that matter). This black-balling will cause Rice to sue the NFL for wrongful termination and the league and the player will be in court in an ugly case with a high-profile attorney defending his right to work.

This is FAR from over...

Your Daily Keith Olbermann Rant On Roger Goodell

((HT: ESPN))

And it's worth your time on how the NFL Commissioner should now just give up on the idea of resigning and should just be fired


Two in a row...

Wanna go for three...???

DEVELOPING: Ray Rice Waived And Suspended After Video Release (UPDATED W/Fan Reax)

((HT: TMZ Sports))

Yeah, okay, it was as bad as we all thought...

After the Sunday Night football game, TMZ Sports released the Ray Rice video and it's pretty graphic...

Ray Rice -- ELEVATOR KNOCKOUT ... Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch [Video]
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The NFL league office claimed that they had not seen the elevator video where Rice had allegedly assaulted his then fiancee, but then it was released. The league wasted no time in suspending him indefinitely after the Ravens waived him.

Simply put by the Ravens on their Twitter:

The Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.

The Shield followed up with, on their Twitter through spokesman Greg Aiello:

Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has
indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.

A lot of different media sources are calling "shenanigans" that the league didn't know this was what was on the tape. But Jay Glazer had maintained from the beginning that this was the case and, thus, the two-game punishment.

Now, the Ravens will have to retool their offense for an entire season and, possibly, hit the market looking for a tailback that can get quality yards...

CBS Baltimore's Mike Hellgren has fan reaction from the town

Moore And Bertuzzi Settle Out Of Court

((HT: Sportsnet/Grange))

Michael Grange is reporting that Steve Moore and Todd Bertuzzi have agreed to an out-of-court settlement a little less than a month before their civil trial was set to begin.

Here's the incident that started it all- 10 years ago...
((HT: Hockey Webcast))


Bertuzzi apologized, but he eventually pleaded guilty to criminal assault causing bodily harm for the hit and was sentenced in 2006 to one year probation and 80 hours of community service.
((HT: BCTV))


Moore then filed a multi-million dollar civil suit against Bertuzzi and the call to settle the case was called after mediation in early August.

He, contrary to what Bertuzzi wished in the press conference above, has not fully recovered- as put forth in the anniversary back in March.

Sooners Mixon Suspended For Season

((HT: News9.com/Newson6.com))

Oklahoma Sooners freshman running back Joe Mixon has been suspended for the entire 2014 season after his arraignment in an assault after he argued with a woman at a Norman, Oklahoma restaurant last month.

He was charged with a misdemeanor- acts resulting in gross injury- from allegedly punching a woman.

OU President David Boren agreed with the assessment of both head coach Bob Stoops and AD Joe Castiglione where:

"...Mixon will be excluded from all team activities, including being removed from the team roster. With appropriate conditions, he will be permitted to continue as a student, eligible for financial aid.

Vice President for Athletics Joe Castiglione and Head Football Coach Bob Stoops said, “As the university has demonstrated in the past, we are committed to winning the right way. As an example to others, OU sets the highest possible standards for its student athletes, coaches and staff.”

Here's the latest from Norman
NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com |

Mixon was released on his own recognizance after posting $1,000 bond. He was given a "no contact" order by the judge in the case where the accuser is concerned and his next appearance in court is set for September 23.

John Harbaugh Stands Behind Ray Rice

((HT: CSN Washington))

Here's the sound bite in full where the Ravens head coach says he stands behind his running back in light of the two game suspension the NFL gave Ray Rice after his violation of the league conduct policy.


Rice and his then-fiancee/now wife, Janay, were involved in a physical altercation February 15th at an Atlantic City casino. Rice was shown on surveillance tape from inside the casino physically assaulting Janay and dragging her out of an elevator by her hair.

Rice was charged with aggravated felony assault, but avoided jail time by doing a pre-trial diversion program.
They both met NFL commissioner Roger Goodell four months later at the league office in New York City.

Good to know that you can either smoke something or take something illegal and get a longer suspension than smacking your significant other around and having it seen on video tape.

Fantastic standards to work by...

Texas Tech Releases Bethel Punch Video, Bethel Reinstated

((HT: EverythingLubbock.com/KLBK-TV))

The security video was released in the Nigel Bethel punch from Texas Tech University. Bethel was jostling under the bucket with women's basketball player Amber Battle when this happened June 28th...


Bethel was kicked out of school and Battle is serving a suspension that includes time missed from her team.
A grand jury on chose to not pursue a felony charge against Bethel.

As a result, Bethel is now only suspended three games:

"This is an unfortunate situation with a unique set of circumstances and there are no winners," Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in a statement released to the media. "Every decision related to this case has been the right one at that particular time based upon our principles, student-athlete code of conduct and team rules.

"As I continued to work with Coach (Kliff) Kingsbury and Coach (Candi) Whitaker, we looked at the totality of the situation and have arrived at this decision. Two talented young people made a mistake, have shown remorse and learned some very valuable life lessons."

Solo Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Violence Charge

((HT: KING5-TV))

Hope Solo plead not guilty to two counts of 4th degree assault after her arrest over the weekend. According to court records, Solo came to the home where her half sister lives, because she was "upset about the fact that her husband refused to take her to catch a flight because he was being a jerk."

Her husband is former Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Allegedly, Solo had drunk a lot of wine and started insulting her nephew. The fight escalated to the point that Solo is accused of striking the nephew multiple times and even struck her half-sister.

From Chris Daniels' article:

The nephew admitted to police that he used a wooden broom and "broke it over her head to get her to stop assaulting" his mother, and at one point even waved an old BB gun in Solo's face to get her to leave the home. He said Solo would not leave and kept "circling like a shark."

Daniels was outside the courtroom for his live shot
Solo's next appearance in court is set for August 11th.

Irish Suspend WR Mahone Indefinitely For Threatening To Kill Cops (And Other Stuff)

((HT: WSBT-TV))

And the charges are a big list- five in total, and some of them felonies...

Will Mahone, over the weekend, was booked in his home town in Ohio for disorderly conduct, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, intimidation of a public servant and vandalism of a government entity. Three of those charges are felonies.

The police report can be found hyah, thanks to our friends at WNDU-TV in South Bend...

Austintown, Ohio police say they arrived at the scene of a party where witnesses told them Mahone was head butting and punching cars. Officers approached Mahone, who was pretty drunk apparently, and tried to get him to calm down.

He then would f-bomb the cops and allegedly threatened to kill the cops once they handcuffed him.

Here's the story from South Bend
Notre Dame came out with their own statement: "The University is aware of this incident and is confident that it will be handled in a prompt and professional manner through the criminal justice system. Internal discipline is handled privately, in accord with our own policies and federal law."
And the HQ thinks that Mahone is quite done- regardless of the result of the charges and any court appearance.

Hernandez Lawyers Want Lloyd Murder Charges Dropped

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

Surprising no one, really...

Lawyers for Aaron Hernandez are asking a Massachusetts judge to throw out some evidence in the murder of Odin Lloyd.

They asked a Fall River (MA) judge to exclude surveillance video from Hernandez's home and they want evidence seized from cellphones and other electronic devices kept out of the case.

In addition, later today he is set to be arraigned on the alleged assault of a fellow inmate who was heckling him as well as allegedly threatening to kill a guard and his family when he was in a county jail.

Here's the defense pleading their early case...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

The discussion of the assault charge is underway as of noon eastern time and Hernandez pleaded not guilty in the jailhouse incidents.

Opening Statements In Bryan Stow Case

((HT: NBC Los Angeles))

You had to get through a six-page written questionnaire, but 16 jurors were selected, eight men and eight women, to hear the Bryan Stow civil case against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt.

Stow suffered brain damage in the Opening Day 2011 beating at Dodger Stadium and is permanently disabled.
His lawyers say his lifetime care could cost $50 million and he will not testify in the case.

Patrick Healy is outside the courtroom


Four of the 16 will become alternate jurors, but the panelists will not know until the end of the trial which 12 will actually deliberate on the Stow case and deliver a verdict.

The Dodgers maintain that the security force they had at the Giants-Dodgers game was one of the biggest they ever had and that the responsibility for the acts of that day rest with Stow for wearing his Giants gear and two Dodger fans who beat him on that day.

Jerry Remy's Son Pleads Guilty To 1st Degree Murder

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

The son of Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy pleaded guilty to the first degree murder of his long-time girlfriend Jennifer Martel. Remy stabbed Martel in their apartment last year, and had pleaded not guilty in the past.

He was arrested for the first time back in August after allegedly pushing Martel into a mirror. He was released on his own recognizance and stabbed Martel to death the following day. First degree murder charges carry a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.

Remy had pleaded guilty to other charges surrounding Martel's death- including assault on a neighbor who tried to intervene, and violating a restraining order Martel had taken out against him.

Here's the plea
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Two other charges- assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon- were dismissed after Remy’s attorney argued they were covered under the murder charge.

In a statement after his sentencing, Jared Remy said“blame me for this, not my family.”

Arrest Details On Greg Hardy Emerge (UPDATE: 911 Calls Released)

((HT: WBTV))

The court documents in the arrest of Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy have come forward and it doesn't paint a pretty picture.

A woman at Hardy's apartment told officers she had been physically assaulted and threatened by Hardy. She told officers she was thrown to the floor and into a bathtub and that Hardy threatened to kill her while she was being assaulted.

Hardy turned himself in and was being held in the Mecklenburg County (NC) Jail overnight. He made a first appearance before a judge Wednesday morning and the lawyers involved in the case have differing opinions of what went down in Hardy's apartment.

Hardy's lawyer, Chris Fialko, says Hardy called 911 to have the accuser/girlfriend removed.
The victim's lawyer, Stephen Goodwin, said the woman was being held down by another man (identified as Hardy's administrative assistant, Sammy Curtis) and wasn't allowed to call 911.

Fialko then said the victim tried to call Hardy at least a dozen times since the incident.
Goodwin responded by saying the accuser/girlfriend is scared.

The judge assigned to the case ruled that Hardy would have to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings three times a week as a part of his release, ordered Hardy not to have any contact with the victim, and had bond set at $17,000.

The accuser filed a domestic protection order as well and it says that Hardy threw the woman onto a couch covered in assault rifles. Hardy bragged that all the guns were loaded.

Here's the report from last night on the arrest...
WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC

The Carolina Panthers released a statement saying:

"We are very disappointed to learn of the allegations involving Greg and are concerned for all parties as we continue to investigate."

PM UPDATE: Jason LaCanfora over at CBS Sports has the 9-1-1 calls and they seem to give conflicting information

9-1-1 Call Number One:

"I’m running around the table right now. She’s trying to hit me with her shoe," Hardy says on the call. "Ah s—t. She broke some glass. F—. F—! She’s trying to hit me with another shoe. I’m behind the bar. I’m not touching her. My manager’s retaining her. She’s still trying to get me."

Hardy then states that his girlfriend "won't let" him close the door to his apartment and she "hit me in the face twice."

"She won’t let me close the door. I can’t touch her to get her out. She’s literally kicking and scratching. My manager’s retaining her," Hardy says. "She tried to hit me once, she hit me in the face twice. I’m trying to stay away from her. Can you please send somebody to help me?"

It can be heard hyah...

9-1-1 Call Number Two describes the opposite

"Domestic violence. Some girl’s getting her ass beat upstairs. And I heard it. And I seen it," a female voice is heard saying. "He is beating her ass right the f— now. So get here now. I was in the apartment. He’s beating her ass."

That call can be heard hyah

BREAKING: 2nd Suspect Arrested In Kolstad Beating

((HT: KSTP-TV))

Here's the surveillance video from the Isaac Kolstad beating that had Mankato, Minnesota police chasing after a second suspect...


The suspect in question was arrested Tuesday.

21-year-old Trevor Shelley is now thought to be that suspect, but it's not known if Shelley was the one who punched Kolstad before Philip Nelson allegedly kicked him while he was on the ground. Nelson's attorney maintains his client was not the aggressor in the assault.

Nelson is facing two felony assault charges and is out on $20,000 bail.

Rutgers University head football coach Kyle Flood announced Tuesday Nelson has been dismissed from the team and that the university's thoughts and prayers are with the Kolstad family.

The most recent post on the Kolstad-created CaringBridge page came early Tuesday afternoon:

Isaac had surgery early this morning. It went well. Isaac remains in critical condition.
Please keep Isaac and all involved in your prayers.

Here's the afternoon returns from MyFoxTwinCities
KMSP-TV

Mankato Update: Philip Nelson Posts Bond, Police Looking For Additional Suspect

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

The larger news involving the assault of former Minnesota-Mankato LB Isaac Kolstad is that former Minnesota-now Rutgers QB Philip Nelson has made bond and can return to Rutgers University if the school wants him.

(Insert Rutgers joke here)

Paul Blume is in Mankato and details what Mankato police are looking for and looking at in this fight that lasted five or ten seconds, but will impact a few families for a lot longer
KMSP-TV

Rutgers QB Arrested In Minnesota Assault, Victim Has Brain Damage (TUESDAY UPDATE: Rutgers Dismisses Nelson)

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Former Minnesota-Mankato LB Isaac Kolstad is "fighting for his life" after a weekend assault that led to the arrest of former Minnesota-now-Rutgers QB Phillip Nelson.

Kolstad was on a sidewalk in the town of Mankato when someone punched him, he hit the ground, and then he was kicked in the head by a second person. Nelson was identified by three people who witnessed the assault as one of the two who were involved and police are looking for a second person who they feel was involved in the crime as well.

Kolstad's father says his son has permanent brain damage. Kolstad has already had one surgery and will likely have more this week. Police are asking for third-degree assault charges.

Here's the latest from the Kolstad vigil Sunday night
KMSP-TV

Kolstad's father has posted an update on Kolstad's CaringBridge website:

"Isaac suffered a severe head injury early this morning. He is currently in Critical condition and fighting for his life. He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. He had one surgery today to put a pressure gauge in his skull. He may need additional surgeries in the coming days. We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won't for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved."

The family also issued a statement on Sunday.

We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support we have received during this difficult time. Isaac is a very strong and determined young man, who is dearly loved by his family and friends. We would respectfully ask for your continued prayers.

We would also ask members of the news media and others to respect our request and need for privacy at this time. We have requested that no further information (beyond his medical condition) be released. Thank you for your understanding and continued thoughts and prayers for Isaac, his wife and children, and all others who are involved in this situation. - The Family of Isaac Kolstad

Here's the live report from the spot of the fight from our friends at KSTP-TV


1545 UPDATE: Nelson will be charged with 1 count of first-degree assault and 1 count of third-degree assault later today. Police looking for 2nd suspect.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Rutgers has dismissed Nelson as a result of the incident...

"The Rutgers football family's thoughts and prayers are with Isaac Kolstad and his family," Head Football coach Kyle Flood said in a statement.

Dan Duggan over at NJ.com has the details of the incident- from Mankato police reports:

Kolstad punched Nelson in the back, causing him to fall to the ground, according to a criminal complaint.

Kolstad began to move away and an unknown assailant, described as a white male in his early 20s wearing a red t-shirt and jeans, ran after him. The unknown male delivered a punch to Kolstad's head/face. Kolstad immediately went limp and collapsed to the pavement.

Nelson then pushed past others and delivered a kick to the head of a defenseless Kolstad, according to the complaint.