WATSON, NFL INVESTIGATORS WILL MEET
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to meet this week with NFL representatives as part of the league’s investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct made against Watson, a person familiar with the situation confirmed Monday.
An NFL spokesman declined to comment on the planned meeting with Watson, saying in a statement that “the review is active and ongoing.”
Watson faces potential disciplinary measures by the league under its personal conduct policy. Under a process that was revised in the most recent collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association completed in 2020, the initial ruling on a prospective suspension or fine will be made by a disciplinary officer appointed by the NFL and the players’ union. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell still possesses the authority to resolve an appeal by either side of the initial ruling.
Two grand juries in Texas declined to charge Watson with a crime. He faces 22 active civil lawsuits by women accusing him of behaviors including making inappropriate comments, exposing himself and forcing his penis on women’s hands during massage therapy sessions. Watson and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, have denied the allegations.
The Browns completed a trade with the Houston Texans for Watson this offseason and signed him to a new contract worth a guaranteed $230 million over five seasons.
The league is expected to interview Watson “at great length” as part of its investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter, but has given no indication of a timetable for a resolution on potential disciplinary measures.
More NFL
A person familiar with the situation says Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, 25, agreed to terms on a four-year, $84 million contract
extension with a $30 million signing bonus.
Soccer
Arsenal no longer has Champions League qualification in its own hands. A 2-0 loss at Newcastle sees Arsenal relinquish the initiative in its fight with fierce north London rival Tottenham for a finish in the English Premier League’s top four and a return to Europe’s top competition. Heading into the final round on Sunday, Tottenham occupies fourth place and is two points above Arsenal in fifth.
England’s Jake Daniels announced he is gay in a trailblazing moment for the European men’s game. The 17-yearold forward made the announcement at the end of his first season as a professional player with second division club Blackpool.
Locally
Ginny Beneke of San Diego
scored a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ruth Young of El Cajon in first-round action in the 60 and over singles division of the USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
Joshua Chung and Andee Avery won their respective divisions of the San Diego County Junior Golf Association the Charley Hoffman Foundation tournament over the weekend at Twin Oaks Golf Course. Chung, 17, a junior from Torrey Pines High, posted a 7-under score of 137 (69-68) and a one-shot win over Daniel Ho and Connor Williams. In the girls division, Avery, 16, a junior from Carlsbad High, shot a 3-under 141 (71-70) to score a two-shot win over Jasmine Kahler.
The San Diego State men’s golf team struggled down the stretch on the first day of the NCAA Norman (Okla.) Regional, settling for a
2-over 290 on the par-72, 7,452yard Jimmy Austin OU Golf Club. The 2-over 290 has the Aztecs in seventh place in the 13-team regional. Puwit Anupansuebsai carded a 2-under 70 to pace the Aztecs and is in a seven-way tie for 11th out of 75 golfers.
For the third time this season and the second straight week, SDSU left-hander TJ Fondtain earned Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honors.
Tennis
The Queen’s and Eastbourne tournaments have been spared punishment from the ATP for banning Russian and Belarussian players. The ATP and WTA objected at the time.
But on Monday, the ATP says after extensive talks that “Queen’s and Eastbourne will proceed as normal, offering full ATP ranking points.”