Smith lashes out in tweets
Fired Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith denies that he abused his ex-wife and blames the university president for an investigation that led to the suspension of coach Urban Meyer.
In a series of tweets Wednesday, the 34-year-old Smith also lashed out at media, contended the investigation into his behavior was botched and said he hopes Meyer was forced by the university to apologize. He also posted a picture of his two children to tell critics that “your reckless & complete disregard for human beings hurts innocent children.”
Meyer was suspended for three games after an investigation found he mishandled domestic-abuse accusations and other bad behavior from Smith, the grandson of former Ohio State coach and Meyer mentor Earle Bruce.
NFL
The New Orleans Saints agreed Wednesday to acquire veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and a sixth-round pick from the New York Jets for a third-round draft pick.
While record-setting quarterback Drew Brees is entrenched as New Orleans’ starter, the move signifies that Saints coach Sean Payton was not entirely comfortable with either veteran Tom Savage or second-year pro Taysom Hill serving as Brees’ backup.
“We are very pleased to obtain a young player with quite a bit of playing experience in Teddy Bridgewater,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “He’s a successful quarterback and we know he will be a great addition to our quarterback room.”
Vikings WR arrested: Authorities in Minnesota said Vikings wide receiver Cayleb Jones has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic assault and theft.
Dakota County (Minn.) Jail records show that Jones was arrested by Eagan police on Tuesday. He is also accused of interfering on a 911 call.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement that the team is aware of the situation and is gathering more information.
Browns LB charged: Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks was released by the NFL team hours after he was charged by federal prosecutors in Philadelphia with insider trading.
Kendricks, who signed a one-year contract with the Browns after winning a Super Bowl title last season with the Eagles, allegedly used tips from an acquaintance to make $1.2 million in illegal profits on four trading deals, federal prosecutors said. BASEBALL
Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols is likely to miss the rest of his 18th major league season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
The Angels announced that Pujols has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery performed by Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
Recovery time is typically at least six weeks, and the Angels’ season likely will be over in 41⁄2 weeks.
Pujols is sixth in baseball history with 633 career homers after passing Ken Griffey Jr. last month. He is seventh in history with 1,982 career RBI, just behind Lou Gehrig (1,995) and Barry Bonds (1,996), and close to becoming only the fifth member of the 2,000-RBI club.
Pujols is batting .245 with 19 homers and 64 RBI this season, but the Angels (64-69) are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff race for the sixth time in his seven years with the club.
Pujols’ 117 games played this season will be his fewest since 2013 and the second-fewest of his bigleague career, which began in 2001 with St. Louis. BASKETBALL
Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne has a bone bruise in her left knee and will be listed as questionable for Game 3 of the WNBA semifinal series against the Atlanta Dream.
The Mystics announced Delle Donne’s status Wednesday, two days before they host the Dream.
The best-of-five series is tied at 1-1.