Newsmakers
Accepted A federal appeals court allowed other major sports to weigh in Wednesday on the NFL’s attempts to suspend Minnesota Vikings players Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals accepted a joint brief from Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL, and a similar brief from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which administers drug testing for U.S. Olympic teams. The parties asked the appeals court to rule that the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement trumps state laws.
Sued Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield’s stepmother sued him in Statesville, N.C., claiming he made slanderous, false and defamatory statements. In civil court papers filed in civil court, Lisa Mayfield argues her stepson falsely accused her of killing his father and taking money from NASCAR.
Pleaded Former Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith pleaded no contest to three charges stemming from a drunken driving arrest in Jacksonville, Fla., in August. Duval County Court Judge Brent Shore placed Smith on 12 months’ probation and ordered to him serve 50 hours of community service.
Testified Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress testified before a grand jury in New York that is investigating weapons charges against him and told reporters he was sorry for his actions.
Improved Doctors say Brazilian striker Ronaldo is doing well after undergoing surgery on his broken left hand. He is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.
Provided Even though he left no will, slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair’s entire immediate family has been provided for under instructions he left before his death. McNair’s former agent, James “Bus” Cook, told the AP that McNair’s wife, Mechelle McNair, is not trying to exclude McNair’s mother and two children he had with other women.
Resigned Rocky Mountain College football coach David Reeves has resigned less than two weeks before the start of practice. Officials at the Billings, Mont., school announced that offensive coordinator Brian Armstrong has been named interim coach.