UNDATED (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is not going to issue a report on its 10-month investigation into allegations the Washington Football Team engaged in harassment and abuse.
Goodell said the league would not make the investigation public because of its promise to protect the identities of those who testified. The commissioner spoke after the first day of meetings for the league’s 32 owners. He said the league wanted to protect the roughly 150 former employees who spoke to lawyer Beth Wilkinson, who conducted the NFL investigation. He noted the NFL released a summary of the investigation and that Washington owner Daniel Snyder has been “held accountable.”
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair has apologized for referring to the novel coronavirus as the “China virus” during the team’s charity golf tournament in May. The phrase was used frequently by former president Donald Trump. It was considered by many to be insensitive to Asians because it placed blame on China for the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, McNair said he made “an inappropriate choice of words.” He said he apologized at the time and is apologizing again.
— The New York Jets placed linebackers Jamien Sherwood and Blake Cashman on injured reserve. The moves Tuesday are the latest hits to an already depleted unit. Both Sherwood and Cashman were hurt last Sunday during New York’s 54-13 loss at New England.
— Dustin Hopkins was signed as the Los Angeles Chargers kicker on Tuesday after the team waived Tristan Vizcaino. Hopkins was released by Washington on Oct. 20 after seven seasons. He was 12 of 14 on field goals and 10 of 12 on extra points through six games. Hopkins has made 84% of his field-goal attempts during his career.
— Former New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung has been charged with assault and battery on a family or household member. Prosecutors allege the 34-year-old Chung pushed a woman to the ground and slapped her outside her home. Chung’s lawyer said her client looked forward to being “fully exonerated.”
— Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says he considers it a “joke” that his name has been linked to open college jobs at USC and LSU. Tomlin says he has one of the best jobs in professional sports and has no interest in leaving.
— The Baltimore Ravens have designated defensive end Derek Wolfe for return, allowing him to resume practicing. Wolfe has been on injured reserve since Oct. 2 because of back problems. Wolfe was a regular starter for eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, then started eight of the 14 games he appeared in last season for the Ravens. He hasn’t played yet this season.
— Mike Lucci, a Pro Bowl linebacker who played nine seasons with the Detroit Lions, has died. He was 81 years old. Lucci died in Florida after an extended illness. Lucci played on Cleveland’s 1964 NFL championship team. But he spent most of his 12-year career with the Lions, from 1965-73. After his NFL career, Lucci was a radio and TV broadcaster and businessman.
