Broncos suspend execs for DUI arrests
NFL: The Denver Broncos have suspended two of Executive vice president John Elway’s top advisers who are facing drunken driving charges.
Director of player personnel Matt Russell was suspended indefinitely without pay on Monday, and director of pro personnel Tom Heckert received a one-month suspension without pay.
On July 6, Russell hit two vehicles, including a police SUV in Breckenridge, Colo., injuring an officer. Russell registered a 0.246 percent breath alcohol content, three times the legal threshold for a DUI violation in Colorado, according to the arrest affidavit.
Heckert’s blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.162 percent upon his release seven hours after his June 11 arrest in Parker, according to a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report.
• Pouncey offers apology for Hernandez support: Steelers All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey has apologized for wearing a baseball cap in support of former college teammate Aaron Hernandez.
Pouncey and his twin brother Mike, a center for the Miami Dolphins, were photographed wearing hats that read “Free Hernandez” during their co-birthday party in Miami on Saturday night.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to the murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.
Maurkice Pouncey posted on his Twitter account he understands the “seriousness of the situation involving my former teammate.” Pouncey added he regrets making light of the situation and apologized if he offended anyone.
El Salvador strikes late to edge Haiti
Soccer: Rodolfo Zelaya scored off a saved penalty kick in the second half, and El Salvador edged Haiti 1-0 in Houston, to advance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The victory earned El Salvador (1-1-1, 4 points) a berth in the quarterfinals of the biennial tournament.
• Trinidad and Tobago trips up Honduras: Kenwyne Jones had a goal and an assist, helping Trinidad and Tobago to a 2-0 victory over Honduras in Houston to advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Despite the loss, Honduras (2-1, 6 points) finished atop Group B after wins over Haiti and El Salvador.
With the win, Trinidad and Tobago (1-1-1, 4 points) eliminated Haiti (1-2, 3 points).
Jamaica’s Randall also tested positive
Track and field: Jamaican discus thrower Allison Randall has acknowledged that she is one of five Jamaican athletes who tested positive for a banned substance at the national championships last month.
Randall holds the island’s record for discus and competed at the London Olympics.
Two of Jamaica’s sprinters, Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine at the same meet. They say they didn’t knowingly break any rules.
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association issued a brief statement saying an anti-doping management process has started for the athletes. It did not identify the two other athletes who tested positive.
• Italian police raid sprinters’ hotel: Italian police raided the hotel where Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are staying after each tested positive for banned stimulants.
Udine police captain Antonio Pisapia told The Associated Press that rooms of the athletes and physical trainer Christopher Xuereb of Canada were searched and drugs were confiscated.
Pisapia says it is unclear whether the drugs are illegal and that the substances are being analyzed.
Pisapia says no arrests have been made in the raid at the Fra i Pini hotel in Lignano Sabbiadoro in northeastern Italy, and that nobody has been placed under investigation.
NASCAR expected to automate rulebook
Auto racing: NASCAR plans to automate its rule book and revamp its appeals process in a wide-ranging effort to bring more clarity to teams and fans.
The governing body outlined several initiatives it expects to implement in its three major series before the 2015 season begins. Those included converting its rule book from a word document to computer automated-design drawings so race shops can see exactly what is allowed and what isn’t.
It also plans to spell out exact penalties that violating each rule may bring. When a penalty is appealed, NASCAR wants more experts on the panel instead of some who might not have as strong a background regarding the infraction.
NASCAR also wants to upgrade what pit information is available to fans on race day.