Newsmakers

Released A contrite Chad Johnson apologized Monday for disrespecting a judge when the former NFL star slapped his attorney on the backside in court last week, and his immediate release from jail was ordered. Broward County (Fla.) Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh accepted Johnson’s apology and cut his 30-day jail term for a probation violation to the seven days he has already served since the rear-swatting incident. Johnson, a flamboyant wide receiver formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, said in court that he’d had time to think about why his flippant attitude was wrong – especially in a domestic violence case.

Honored Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano has won the George Halas Award from the Professional Football Writers Association for overcoming adversity. Early in his first season as Colts coach, Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia and took a leave of absence. The team began winning under offensive coordinator Bruce Arians while Pagano underwent treatment for 12 weeks.

Convicted A Dutch court has convicted six young soccer players and the father of one of the athletes of manslaughter in the death of a volunteer linesman who was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked after a youth match last December in a brutal attack that shocked this soccer-loving nation. Judges in Lelystad sentenced the 50-year-old father to six years in prison. Five teenage players were given two-year sentences in youth detention for their roles in the attack and another was sentenced to a year. A seventh teenager was sentenced to 30 days of detention for assault.

Waived The Green Bay Packers have released linebacker Desmond Bishop. The move was expected after Bishop and the team couldn’t agree on a restructured contract. Bishop was due to make $3.464 million this season after missing all of last year with a hamstring injury.

Hired The Denver Nuggets have hired Tim Connelly as executive vice president of basketball operations. Team President Josh Kroenke confirmed in an email to the Associated Press on Monday that Connelly will take over for Masai Ujiri, who left to become general manager of the Toronto Raptors.

Moved A Maryland man hurt in a fight during a Baltimore Orioles game last month has moved to a rehab facility, and his lawyers said Monday they are looking for anyone who may have witnessed the exchange. The family of 25-year-old Matthew Fortese, a doctor who treated him and his lawyers held a news conference Monday in Baltimore. The doctor said Fortese has moved to an in-patient rehabilitation facility.