Newton sides with owner for now
Quarterback Cam Newton said Monday embattled Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
Richardson is under investigation by the NFL for sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace and announced Sunday that he’s selling the team just hours after a Sports Illustrated report detailed his alleged misconduct.
Newton said Richardson met with him and other team captains at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday night — hours after Carolina’s 3124 win over the Green Bay Packers — to inform them he would be putting the team up for sale after the season.
The quarterback says while he disagrees with any type of sexual misconduct, he has immense respect for Richardson based on their 7½-year relationship.
“Everything that I heard were allegations and nothing was actually proven,” Newton said. “It’s another person’s words against another person’s words. Needless to say I still think extremely highly of Mr. Richardson. I don’t know none of the sources names that have come out, so I am reaching to find it.”
The Sports Illustrated story cited unnamed sources who said Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an African- American team scout.
Broncos undecided on QB: The Denver Bron- cos aren’t going to name their starting quarterback until later in the week.
“Who’s the starting quarterback on Sunday?” coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday, repeating the question. “We’re not there yet.”
Joseph said Brock Osweiler, coming off his best game as a pro, and Paxton Lynch, coming back from a sprained left ankle, split snaps.
Elliott mum on suspension: Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t want to talk about his six weeks away from the Dallas Cowboys now that he’s back from a suspension over domestic violence allegations.
The star running back abruptly ended his first session with reporters on Wednesday. Elliott said he wouldn’t address questions about a hiatus spent mostly in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. After five questions on that topic, Elliott said, “All right, I’m done.”
Giants talk with Gettleman: The New York Giants have interviewed Dave Gettleman for their vacant general manager’s job.
Gettleman, 66, met with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, and former general manager Ernie Accorsi, who is consulting.
Gettleman has worked 30 years in the NFL, including 15 with the Giants before becoming Carolina’s general manager from 2013’16.