NCAA pulls championship events from N.C. because of LGBT law
NCAA: The NCAA has pulled seven championship events from North Carolina, including opening-weekend men’s basketball tournament games, for the coming year due to a state law that some say can lead to discrimination against LGBT people.
In a news release Monday, the NCAA says the decision by its board of governors came “because of the cumulative actions taken by the state concerning civil rights protections.”
“This decision is consistent with the NCAA’s long-standing core values of inclusion, student-athlete well-being and creating a culture of fairness,” said Georgia Tech president G.P. “Bud” Peterson, the chair of the board of governors.
The law – known as HB2 – requires transgender people to use restrooms at schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate. It also excludes gender identity and sexual orientation from local and statewide antidiscrimination protections.
HB2 was signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory earlier this year.
The NCAA said it will relocate the men’s basketball first- and second-round games that were scheduled for March 17 and 19 in Greensboro. The NCAA will also relocate: D-1 women’s soccer championship; D-III men’s and women’s soccer championships; D-I women’s golf regional; Division III men’s and women’s tennis championships; D-I women’s lacrosse championship; D-II baseball championship.
Goodell: Discipline possible for Bronco hits on Newton
NFL: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the game officials “missed at least one” illegal hit on Panthers QB Cam Newton by Broncos defenders during the league’s season-opening game. But Goodell suggested that will be addressed by disciplinary action by the league.
Goodell singled out a helmet-to-helmet hit by Broncos LB Brandon Marshall on Newton.
Quick hits: Browns QB Robert Griffin III broke a bone in his left shoulder and will miss at least eight games. … Texans LB Brian Cushing has a sprained right MCL in his right knee and is out indefinitely. … The Chargers have placed WR Keenan Allen on season-ending IR with what’s believed to be a torn ACL in his right knee, and activated rookie DL Joey Bosa. … The Dolphins could be forced to play against the Patriots without starting DE Mario Williams after he suffered a concussion against Seattle. … Broncos LB Brandon Marshall says he’ll kneel again for the national anthem even though he lost a second endorsement deal.
Love chooses Fowler, Holmes, Kuchar for Cup
Miscellany: The U.S. has spent two years planning and strategizing in hopes of turning the Rider Cup tide, and Davis Love III’s first three captain’s picks lean heavily on experience as they try to end the skid.
Love chose Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes and Matt Kuchar. He has one more pick to make, too.
The Americans haven’t won since 2008, and they have only one rookie on the current roster while the Europeans will be bringing six newcomers to Hazeltine in Chaska, Minnesota.
Delle Donne has surgery: Chicago forward and reigning WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne will have surgery to repair her right thumb and will miss the last week of the regular season and possibly the playoffs, depending on how long the Sky play.
Army player killed in wreck: The joy felt by the Army football team after its first 2-0 start since 1996 quickly turned to sadness following the death of sophomore CB Brandon Jackson, in a car accident early Sunday morning. He was 20 years old.