Nfl Denies Reports

In an unprecedented move, the NFL denied that Warren Sapp, the defensive tackle from the University of Miami and a likely high first-round draft choice, had tested positive for cocaine.

“The facts are the facts,” said league spokesman Joe Browne. “The information on Sapp was incorrect.”

The New York Times reported Sapp had tested positive for marijuana and cocaine at the league scouting combine in Indianapolis last month along with six other players.

The league statement did not mention marijuana, and several team sources said Sapp had indeed tested positive for the substance. However, the NFL said James Stewart, the Miami running back mentioned in the Times report as testing positive for marijuana, had in fact come up clean, with no positive tests.

The National Football League owners, meeting in Phoenix, discussed the Los Angeles Rams’ proposed moved to St. Louis for more 5 hours without reaching a decision. The owners indicated a vote might not be taken until Thursday.

The Green Bay Packers are offering free-agent receiver Andre Rison a contract worth $16 million over five years, or an average of $3.2 million a year, reported The Green Bay Press-Gazette.