PITTSBURGH — At the same time Pittsburgh Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger was practicing for the first time this spring, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was telling a radio audience Monday that the quarterback violated the NFL’s personal- conduct policy with his “pattern of behavior” and “bad judgments.”
Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student in a Georgia nightclub last month, although he will not face criminal charges.
“The issue here is with respect to a pattern of behavior and bad judgments,” Goodell said on the Dan Patrick radio show. “You do not have to be convicted or even charged with a crime to be able to demonstrate that you’ve violated a personal-conduct policy.”
The Steelers are anticipating a suspension lasting as many as four games that could be announced next week.
• The Minnesota Vikings re-signed backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson as they wait for Brett Favre to decide if he will return for another season.
• The Washington Redskins signed former Broncos running back Ryan Torain.
Boxer Valero kills self in jail
CARACAS, Venezuela — Former boxing champion Edwin Valero, who had a spectacular career with 27 straight knockouts, hanged himself in his jail cell after being arrested for stabbing his wife to death, police said. The former lightweight champion used the sweat pants he was wearing to hang himself from a bar in the cell, according to his lawyer.
Singler to return to Blue Devils
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke’s Kyle Sing- ler, who averaged 17.7 points and seven rebounds while leading Duke to a 35-5 record and the school’s fourth national championship, announced he will return to school for his senior season.
Meanwhile, BYU guard Jimmer Fredette and Richmond guard Kevin Anderson are entering their names in the 2010 NBA draft but will keep their college eligibility by not hiring agents.
• Rutgers leading scorer Mike Rosario (16.7 ppg) is transferring to Florida, where he will not be eligible to play until the 2011-12 season.
• After nearly two weeks of negotiations, Fred Hill accepted a settlement and resigned as Rutgers coach.
• Washington coach Lorenzo Romar agreed to a 10-year contract through the 2019-20 season.
Footnotes.
Gravitational force overpowered out-of-control Nodar Kumaritashvili and left him unable to avoid the crash that claimed his life hours before the opening ceremony at the Vancouver Olympics, the International Luge Federation concluded in a report, but said the Georgian luger was “absolutely qualified” to be at the Games.
• The U.S. Department of Education is repealing a Bush-era policy in an effort to force schools and colleges to provide stronger evidence they offer equal opportunities for athletic participation under the federal Title IX gender equity law.
• Kyle Rote Jr., the North American Soccer League’s 1973 rookie of the year, was elected to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, beating out the late Rapids coach Glenn Myernick on the veteran ballot.
The Associated Press
