Nebraska officials are not on same page over protest
NMMI climbs to tie for 6th in poll
LINCOLN, Neb. — Two university regents and the governor criticized three Nebraska football players who kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
Michael Rose-Ivey, Mohamed Barry and DaiShon Neal received support from the university president on Tuesday, however.
Rose-Ivey, Barry and Neal each took a knee as the anthem played before Saturday’s game at Northwestern, an act that regents Hal Daub of Omaha and Jim Pillen of Columbus said was in poor judgment.
University president Hank Bounds pointed out that both the players and their critics are free to express their views under the First Amendment. Bounds pointed to a Board of Regents policy in place for almost a half-century that says members of the academic community have the right to extensive latitude in making their opinions known.
NMMI: New Mexico Military Institute (4-0) moved from eighth place in the national JC poll to a tie for sixth with Snow College this week.
The Broncos, who were idle last week, will play Trinity Valley (4-1) in Athens, Texas, on Saturday.
NORTH CAROLINA: A Tar Heels football player facing charges of sexual battery and assault on a female student says the two had consensual sex and that he did not rape or drug her.
In his first public comments, Allen Artis said Tuesday he isn’t a rapist and is eager to get the case behind him. One of his attorneys, Kerry Sutton, also said Artis has passed a polygraph test about the February incident.
ARIZONA: Offensive lineman Zach Hemmila’s death has been ruled accidental and a result of the combination of two prescription drugs.
A report released Tuesday by the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office says the cause of death was “combined toxic effects” of an opiate painkiller and an anti-anxiety medication.
The 22-year-old senior was found dead in his apartment Aug. 8. Authorities say he died in his sleep.
Hemmila played 13 games for the Wildcats last season. He was expected to compete for the starting center job this year. LSU: East Baton Rouge (La.) Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says he is dismissing domestic abuse and child endangerment charges against LSU defense end Davon Godchaux.