Faulk suspended by NFL Network
Hall of Fame player Marshall Faulk and two other NFL Network analysts were suspended after a woman who worked as a wardrobe stylist at the network accused them of sexual misconduct in a lawsuit.
The NFL on Tuesday identified the three as Faulk, Ike Taylor and Heath Evans. They have been “suspended from their duties at NFL Network pending an investigation into these allegations,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
Jami Cantor described several sexually inappropriate encounters with the three retired players and others who have worked for NFL Network, according to court documents first reported by Bloomberg.
The lawsuit and suspensions are the latest in a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against prominent men in politics, entertainment and media.
Former NFL Network executive Eric Weinberger, former NFL Network analysts Donovan McNabb, Eric Davis and Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, and former NFL Network employee Marc Watts also are named in the lawsuit.
Weinberger is president of the Bill Simmons Media Group and was placed on leave, according to a statement given to the New York Times. McNabb and Davis now work as ESPN radio contributors.
“We are investigating, and McNabb and Davis will not appear on our networks as that investigation proceeds,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said.
None of the men named immediately responded to messages seeking comment from The Associated Press.
Devin Hester, the all-purpose speedster who holds the league record for kick return touchdowns with 20, announced his retirement from the NFL. In a post on social media, the 35-yearold Hester said he realized it was time. Hester played for the Falcons, Ravens and Seahawks, but his best years were with the Bears, which made him a second-round pick out of Miami in 2006. He’s the third-leading punt returner in league history and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2014.
Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier’s season is over. The AFC North champs put Shazier on IR because of a spinal injury suffered in a victory over the Bengals on Dec. 4. Shazier, 25, underwent spinal stabilization surgery last week and remains in the hospital. The team hasn’t released the exact nature of Shazier’s injury and his long-term prognosis.
Dolphins DT Jordan Phillips called Patriots C David Andrews a “dirty player” in an Instagram post. Phillips’ comment was accompanied by a video of the play on which he injured his left leg in Monday’s Dolphins win. Andrews went at Phillips’ legs trying to block him on a screen pass. Phillips limped off the field, but later returned . ... RG Ronald Leary’s first season with the Broncos has been cut short by a back injury. They placed him on IR . ... Su’a Cravens’ agent said the Redskins safety was cleared to resume football activities after suffering from postconcussion syndrome and plans to play in 2018.