NEW YORK — The NFL is weighing possible disciplinary action against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who met with league commissioner Roger Goodell one day after learning he won’t be charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.
Roethlisberger described the Tuesday afternoon meeting as “very productive,” but gave no hint whether he expects to be suspended or fined for several off-field incidents that damaged his reputation.
While Roethlisberger faces no criminal charges after being accused of assaulting the 20-year-old student in a nightclub bathroom, in a separate case he also is being sued in civil court by a former Nevada hotel employee for an alleged sexual assault in 2008. No criminal charges were filed in that case.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league will review the facts and will follow up with Roethlisberger and the Steelers. He gave no timeline.
The quarterback has relatively few endorsement contracts for such a high-profile player, but he lost one Tuesday as a Pittsburgh- area food products company announced he would no longer endorse its line of beef jerky.
• Citing a desire to play but a battered body that won’t let him, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney announced his retirement.
• The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of cornerback Samari Rolle, who missed the entire 2009 season with a neck injury.
Clemson hires Brownell
CLEMSON, S.C. — Brad Brownell of Wright State was hired as the men’s basketball coach at Clemson. Brownell, who went 84-45 in four years with the Raiders, succeeds Oliver Purnell, who left for DePaul.
• Central Michigan and coach Ernie Zeigler agreed to a four-year contract through the 2013-14 season.
• Hartford coach Dan Leibovitz resigned after going 44-82 over four seasons.
• Baylor forward Ekpe Udoh and New Mexico guard Darington Hobson announced plans to forgo their college eligibility to enter the NBA draft.
Footnotes.
Seattle Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee (abdomen) sailed through a bullpen session and is expected to make his season debut May 1 or 2.
• The Tampa Bay Rays placed catcher Kelly Shoppach on the 15-day disabled list with a knee sprain and recalled catcher John Jaso from their Triple-A affiliate.
• NCAA investigators met with West Virginia officials regarding possible rules violations within the football program under former coach Rich Rodriguez.
• The Chicago Bulls are investigating a physical altercation between executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and coach Vinny Del Negro that took place when Del Negro exceeded a medically imposed minutes limit on Joakim Noah, who has battled plantar fasciitis.
• Tiger Woods has taken the first step toward playing the U.S. Open by sending in his entry form for the June 17-20 tournament at Pebble Beach.
• Kasey Kahne completed a deal to drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 but still needs to iron out his plans for next season.
Denver Post wire services
