Goodell says teams aren’t blackballing Kap
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says teams aren’t blackballing Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem last year.
“No, teams make decisions ( based) on what’s in the best interest of their team ... and they make those decisions individually,” Goodell said Thursday following his appearance at a forum with about 200 fans at the Denver Broncos’ indoor practice facility.
Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with the 49ers on March 3, has drawn interest from Seattle and Baltimore but remains unemployed a year after throwing for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games. Several teams have signed lesser backups without giving Kaepernick a call.
HALL OF FAME GAME» With no stars and few starters on the field, the Dallas Cowboys edged the Arizona Cardinals 20-18 in the Hall of Fame game. At least the turf held up — unlike a year ago, when the game was canceled for safety reasons. The new field passed NFL operations directors’ approval, and the footing was steady. Rookie Sam Irwin-Hill, unlikely to beat out Dallas veteran Dan Bailey for the placekicking job, made field goals of 23 and 43 yards, the latter providing the winning points in the fourth quarter. The opening half featured a handful of big plays, with Arizona’s third-string quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, consistently finding open receivers down the middle.
TANNEHILL INJURED» The Miami Dolphins now fear quarterback Ryan Tannehill will need season- ending knee surgery, however no decision to have it has been made at this time, according to sources close to the situation. As second and third opinions await, Tannehill still could decide to rest it for six to eight weeks and try to come back from his knee injury again, sources told ESPN. But the Dolphins are growing increasingly concerned that surgery will be the most viable and likely option as they and their starting quarterback sift through them. “He’s done, I think,” one source predicted Thursday night, referring to Tannehill’s hopes of returning this season. PANTHERS REST NEWTON» Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was held out of passing drills for the third straight day while battling soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder.
Soccer
FRENCH TEAM LANDS NEYMAR» Six years after taking over perennial underachiever Paris Saint- Germain, the French club’s wealthy owners finally got what they wanted by hiring Neymar — a player they believe will bring them Champions League glory. The Brazil star became the most expensive player in soccer history after completing his blockbuster transfer from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($262 million). U. S. WOMEN BEAT JAPAN IN
FRIENDLY» Although Australia wrapped up the inaugural Tournament of Nations title before the U. S. women stepped on the field, Megan Rapinoe and her teammates still finished strong. Rapinoe scored a splendid goal in the 12th minute, and the Americans beat Japan 3- 0 in the final match of the four- team round robin event. Mallory Pugh and Alex Morgan scored in the second half as the U.S. entertained a crowd of 23,161 that didn’t seem to mind finishing second in this friendly tournament. Australia rendered the Americans’ final result irrelevant to the standings by routing Brazil 6-1 in the early game at StubHub Center south of downtown Los Angeles.
Track and Field
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS» The stadium will be packed Friday for the opening of the world championships — and not only to catch a glimpse of Usain Bolt. After all, this is Mo Farah’s house. While Bolt races in an early heat of the 100 meters, the British longdistance runner will chase after the night’s only medal in the 10,000.
NHL
FISHER RETIRES» Nashville Predators forward Mike Fisher has retired in what he calls the hardest decision he’s had to make, leaving the defending Stanley Cup finalists in need of a new captain. Fisher had 276 goals and 309 assists in 1,088 regular- season games during an NHL career that lasted 17 seasons. He had 23 goals and 28 assists in 13 career playoff games.
Boxing
KLITSCHKO CALLING IT A CAREER» Former heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko announced his immediate retirement from boxing. The decision ends an era when the Klitschko name alone could guarantee one of the biggest fights of the year.
High school
JAVIER FUNDRAISER » A fundraiser will be held Saturday at San Ramon Valley High in Danville for an East Bay football player who fractured his neck at a graduation pool party in June 2016 and became paralyzed from the chest down. Jake Javier starred for San Ramon Valley and was set to play at Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo before suffering the horrific injury. His story has touched many in the community, including former De La Salle head coach Bob Ladouceur, who coordinated “Day of Games” fundraiser that will start at 5 p.m.