Watson’s hearing ends; discipline could be next
Deshaun Watson’s disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday with the NFL adamant about an indefinite suspension of at least one year and the quarterback’s legal team arguing there’s no basis for that punishment, two people with knowledge of the case told the Associated Press.
Both sides presented arguments over three days in front of former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson in Delaware, according to both people who spoke on condition of anonymity because the hearing isn’t public.
Watson was accused of sexual misconduct by 24 women and settled 20 of the civil lawsuits.
Robinson, who was jointly appointed by the league and the NFL Players’ Assn., will determine whether Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy and whether to impose discipline.
Post-hearing briefs are due the week of July 11 so it’s uncertain when Robinson will make a ruling. The Cleveland Browns are hoping to know Watson’s availability before training camp starts July 27.
LAPD spokeswoman Lizeth Lomeli confirmed that Bridges was arrested Wednesday but did not release details on the charges. TMZ reported that Bridges is facing felony domestic violence charges.
The Hornets said in a statement they “are in the process of gathering additional information. We will have no further comment at this time.”
The Detroit Red Wings hired Derek Lalonde to coach their rebuilding team, hoping the two-time Stanley Cup-winning assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning can make the franchise relevant again.
Lalonde spent the last four years on Jon Cooper’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Goalie Craig Anderson, 41, is putting off retirement and returning to the Buffalo Sabres on a one-year contract. He was 17-12-2 last season but suffered a neck injury . ... Emily Engel-Natzke was hired as video coach of the Washington Capitals, making her the first woman to hold a full-time position on an NHL coaching staff.
Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. will be sidelined up to six months after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.
Former NBA point guard Rod Strickland, a New York native, was hired as the men’s basketball coach at Long Island University.
Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis improved his own outdoor world record by clearing 20 feet, 21⁄2 inches at the Stockholm Diamond League meet.
Union Berlin signed American forward Jordan Pefok to lead its fourth season in the Bundesliga . ... The U.S. Justice Department distributed about $92 million in additional compensation from money forfeited by convicted officials and associated companies resulting from the government’s prosecution of corruption in soccer.
A Texas woman suspected in the fatal shooting of professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson at an Austin home was arrested in Costa Rica, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, 34, was arrested at a hostel on Santa Teresa Beach in Provincia de Puntarenas.