Burfict suspension called a ‘witch hunt’
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Paul Guenther has always been in the corner of Vontaze Burfict, so it wasn’t surprising that the Raiders’ defensive coordinator took the 12-game suspension of his middle linebacker personally.
“I think it was a witch hunt from the beginning, quite honestly,” Guenther said Thursday. “Somebody in the league didn’t want him playing football, and they got what they wanted.”
The day after a 31-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Burfict was suspended by the NFL after being flagged for a helmet-tohelmet hit against Colts tight end Jack Doyle. Burfict appealed the suspension, but it was upheld by appeals officer Derrick Brooks.
Guenther backed Burfict through a career which has included several instances of alleged dirty play. Burfict was suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Antonio Brown in a playoff game and took another three-game suspension (reduced from five on appeal) for a preseason hit against the
Chiefs’ Anthony Sherman.
The league’s official announcement after the latest suspension cited Burfict’s “extensive history of rules violations factored into this decision regarding accountability measures.”
In other news:
Chargers offensive tackle Russell Okung took part in his first practice since June 1, when he suffered a pulmonary embolism during an offseason workout
He is being treated for blood clots and has been on the non-football injury list. Okung does not need to be added to the active roster for up to three weeks.
GOLF Hataoka, Yang tied at Shanghai
Nasa Hataoka birdied three of the final six holes for a 5-under 67 and a share of the first-round lead with Amy Yang in the Buick LPGA at Shanghai, China.
Yang, from South Korea, matched Hataoka with six birdies and a bogey.
Americans Jessica Korda and Angel Yin shot 68.
Defending champion Danielle Kang was at 69 with Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko, Jennifer Kupcho, Mel Reid, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Bronte Law. Chinese star Shanshan Feng opened with a 70.
Top-ranked Jin Young Ko, coming off a victory last week on the Korean LPGA Tour, had four birdies and four bogeys in a 72. In other news:
• Jason Day’s attempt to impress International team captain Ernie Els for a spot at the Presidents Cup took a positive turn when the Australian shot a 6-under 66 to sit two strokes off the lead after the opening round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges at Jelu Island, South Korea.
In the first event of a three-tournament PGA Tour swing through Asia,
Byeong Hun An took the lead with a 64 with Joaquin Niemann a stroke behind in second. Day was alone in third place.
Day is hoping Els will chose him as a captain’s pick for the International team against the Tiger Woods-captained U.S. team in December at Royal Melbourne.
Defending champion Brooks Koepka shot a 69.
HOCKEY Zykov suspended for 20 games
Vegas Golden Knights forward Valentin Zykov was suspended for 20 games without pay for a violation of the NHL’s performance-enhancing substances program, the league said.
The suspension is accompanied by a referral to the league’s program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment.
The league said it would have no further comment.
NBA Beal signs $72M, 2-year extension
Bradley Beal signed a two-year extension worth nearly $72 million with Washington, a major victory for the Wizards and a move that will keep the All-Star guard out of free agency for at least the next three summers.
Beal still had two years left on his existing contract. The extension kicks in for the 2021-22 season, has a player option for the following year and means that Beal won’t be part of what has been shaping up to be an NBA free-agent extravaganza in the summer of 2021.
TENNIS Murray advances to quarterfinals
Andy Murray reached the quarterfinals of the European Open at Antwerp, Belgium by beating Pablo Cuevas 6-4, 6-3.
The former No. 1 is now 7-7 on tour since returning to action after having hip surgery in January. Murray will next face Romanian qualifier Marius Copil, who upset third-seeded Diego Schwartzman of Argentine 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7). Top-seeded Gael Monfils lost 6-3, 6-2 to 18-year-old wild-card entry Jannik Sinner of Italy, while No. 2 David Goffin was ousted 6-3, 6-1 by Ugo Humbert.