Former NFL player Sharper sentenced in rape case
Former NFL star Darren Sharper was sentenced Thursday to more than 18 years in prison for drugging women in order to rape them — double the sentence recommended by prosecutors.
One of Sharper’s victims — the only one to speak at his sentencing hearing — rebuffed his display of contrition.
“For the list of people you’ve done this to: Go to hell,” she said. Her name was not given in court, and The Associated Press does not identify victims of sexual abuse by name.
The former New Orleans Saints safety, jailed since February 2014, apologized and appeared chastened by his fall from grace.
“I would like to apologize a thousand times,” the 40-year-old Sharper said. Later, he said, looking down and sighing, “I’m still trying to figure out why I made some of these choices.”
His voice quivered and choked with emotion when he apologized to his parents. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, in sentencing Sharper, told him she couldn’t understand how he did what he did, since he was college educated and obviously had grown up “in one of the most loving households.”
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was scheduled to see his first action of the preseason against the Bears on Thursday but never made it onto the field for warmups. According to a report from Comcast SportsNet New England, Brady cut himself with a pair of scissors while attempting to pry something from the bottom of his cleats before the game. Not only didn’t Brady start or play, he was sent home from Gillette Stadium.
Steelers linebacker n James Harrison is willing to meet with the NFL to discuss an alleged link to performance- enhancing drugs — but only five days after a deadline the league has imposed while threatening him and three other players with indefinite suspensions. NFL Players Association attorney Heather McPhee sent a letter to the NFL, accusing it of trying to “bully and publicly shame” Harrison without offering evidence beyond a brief mention in television interview last year that was recanted by the accuser.
Green Bay’s Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, and free agent Mike Neal also were threatened with suspensions.
nThe NFL is investigating whether Buffalo Bills linebacker Manny Lawson has violated the league’s personal conduct policy, the team has announced. The Bills didn’t provide any further details in releasing a one-sentence statement.
The Pro Football Hall n of Fame is offering refunds to fans who bought tickets to its canceled preseason game this month. The hall announced it will reimburse fans for the face value of their tickets, fees and one-night hotel accommodations.
College football
Florida has named journeyman Luke Del Rio its starting quarterback for the Sept. 3 season opener against UMass. Coach Jim McElwain made the announcement a day before the team’s second scrimmage. He gave Del Rio, son of Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, the nod over former Purdue starter Austin Appleby.
Michigan has agreed n to pay a $2 million annual life insurance premium for Jim Harbaugh, effectively increasing the football coach’s pay to $7 million a year. In a contract addendum that went into effect June 3, Harbaugh is the owner of the policy, meaning he can take withdrawals or loans from the policy.
An attorney who represented former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky at his child sex abuse trial has been sentenced to 5½ to 18 years in prison for stealing about $767,000 from clients.
Golf
Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello shot a 7-under 63 on in the Wyndham Championship for a share of the firstround lead with Kevin Na in Greensboro, North Carolina. Cabrera Bello eagled the par-5 fifth and closed the bogey-free round with a birdie on Sedgefield’s par-4 ninth.
Former star safety pled guilty to drugging and raping several women