League suspends Winston for 3 games

The Buccaneers will open the season without QB Jameis Winston, who has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The discipline stems from a league investigation of an accusation that Winston groped a female Uber driver during a ride he took in March 2016. The driver didn’t file a criminal or civil complaint but reported the incident to Uber. The NFL learned of the allegation when it was reported publicly in November. Winston said in a statement that “in the past 2½ years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn,” and that he has eliminated alcohol from his life. The league said Winston is also required to have a clinical evaluation and cooperate in any recommended program of therapeutic intervention.

■ The NFL fined former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson $2.75 million following its investigation into misconduct in the workplace. The league said Thursday the investigation conducted by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White substantiated allegations against Richardson, that the improper conduct was limited to him and that the team and its ownership failed to report the allegations or any resolution agreements to the league. Richardson put the team up for sale after a report in December that he made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an employee. The report also stated that the settlements came with non-disclosure requirements forbidding the parties from discussing details.