DA: Charges won’t be filed against Pippen
DA: Charges won’t be filed against Pippen
LOS ANGELES — Scottie Pippen won’t face criminal charges for a fight with a man who authorities say was drunk when he demanded an autograph and photo with the former Chicago Bulls star, then faked seizures after claiming Pippen punched him in the face.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said Tuesday there was insufficient evidence to bring assault charges against Pippen for the altercation with Camran Shafighi at Nobu, a restaurant and celebrity hangout on the beach in Malibu.
Pippen was dining with his family June 24 when he was approached by Shafighi inside the restaurant. Pippen obliged to have a photo taken but not with Shafighi, and then Shafighi followed the retired NBA forward outside into the parking lot. He again asked for a photo and an autograph from Pippen, who said no.
Pippen told investigators Shafighi became irate, “grabbing at him, cursing him and then spit in his face,” according to a report by the district attorney’s office.
NFLPA files grievance on behalf of Hernandez
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance to help former New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez collect an $82,000 workout bonus.
Hernandez’s contract provided for him to receive that amount if he participated in 90 percent of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.
“On behalf of all players, it is our responsibility to protect the rights in the collective bargaining agreement,” the union said in a statement. “We are not tone-deaf to what the allegations are in this case, but for the benefit of all players, there are important precedents here we must protect.”
The Patriots cut Hernandez after he was arrested on June 26 and before he was charged with murder later that day. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd, a friend whose body was found June 17 near Hernandez’s house.
The union believes Hernandez earned the bonus before his arrest.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft indicated he disagreed.
“It’s simple,” he said Tuesday. “You can look at our history. We honor all our contracts and we expect the people who sign them to honor their part of the contract.”
Lions cut ‘Kickalicious’
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions released kicker Havard Rugland and four other players Tuesday.
A year ago, Rugland was working at a child protective services facility in Norway.
The 28-year-old Norwegian dubbed “Kickalicious” became an Internet sensation after producing a YouTube video highlighted by quirky trick shots.
He had tryouts with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Detroit, and the Lions were the only team to offer him a contract.
He was signed April 11 to give kicker David Akers some competition, and Rugland made each of his three field goals during the preseason.
Unchallenged goal overshadows match
YEOVIL, England — An English League Cup match featured a bizarre goal Tuesday, when a Birmingham player was allowed to score an equalizer unchallenged by the opposition.
The goal came in extra time of Birmingham’s match at Yeovil to help resolve a fair play dispute.
Birmingham, the 2011 League Cup winners, had been leading 2-1 in the 90th minute before Byron Webster scored in stoppage time to take the match into extra-time.
It all started when Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle kicked the ball out of play following an injury to a teammate. By convention, Yeovil would have sent the throw-in back to the visitors.
Yeovil broke that convention, and scored instead.
Yankees 2B Cano hit by pitch, leaves game
TORONTO — New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano sustained a bruised left hand when he was struck by a pitch Tuesday night in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Precautionary X-rays were negative, and the Yankees said he is day to day.
Cano was removed from the game shortly after he was hit, and he was diagnosed with a bruised left hand. He was hit near the wrist on the opposite side of the thumb by left-hander J.A. Happ.
By wire sources