Ray Rice’s NFL assault case highlights American sport’s shameful record on domestic violence

Ray Rice’s NFL assault case highlights American sport’s shameful record on domestic violence. EARLIER today, the US was rocked by footage showing NFL star Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee, now-wife Janay Palmer in an elevator.

Rice’s team, the Baltimore Ravens, sacked him. The NFL itself suspended him indefinitely. He will probably never play again.

Good. That punishment is long overdue, because over in the land of the free, sport stars have long been free to behave like ruthless thugs without any serious consequences.

This issue is bigger than football. Everyone from Seth Rogen to President Barack Obama has an opinion on Price’s case.

Rio's Olympic venues surrounded by human waste

Rio's Olympic venues surrounded by human waste. Rio de Janeiro’s endless beaches and lush tropical forest will be a photographer’s dream during the 2016 Olympics. But zoom in on the likes of once-pristine Guanabara Bay, and the picture is of household trash and raw sewage.

In the neon green waters around the site of the future Olympic Park, the average fecal pollution rate is 78 times that of the Brazilian government’s “satisfactory” limit — and 195 times the level considered safe in the U.S. Nearly 70 percent of Rio’s sewage goes untreated, meaning runoff from its many slums and poor neighborhoods drain into waters soon to host some of the world’s best athletes.

Don Jones fined for homophobic tweet

Don Jones fined for homophobic tweet. Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones was fined an undisclosed amount Sunday and will undergo educational training after sending a negative tweet about Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be selected in the NFL draft.

Shortly after the St. Louis Rams took Sam in the seventh round Saturday, Jones tweeted "OMG" and "Horrible." The tweets were taken down a short time later.

Michael Sam kiss: Michael Sam shares emotional kiss with boyfriend after he's picked by St. Louis Rams in NFL draft

Saturday’s selection made Sam the first openly gay player to be drafted into the league and prompted celebrations at gay bars stretching from Los Angeles to Queens.

Michael Sam’s history-making night was sealed with a kiss.

The St. Louis Rams selected Sam in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday — making him the first openly gay player to be drafted into the league.

Cameras were rolling as Sam, after learning the news, broke down in tears and planted one on the mouth of his boyfriend.

Report predicts at least 4000 migrant workers will die in preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Report predicts at least 4000 migrant workers will die in preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. We have that debate every four years, but it’s usually about money. When it comes to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the cost will not only be in dollar terms ... it will be in lives.

The International Trade Union Confederation recently released an extensive report on the working and living conditions of migrant workers in Qatar. It’s staggering.

There are about 1.4 million of those workers living in the Middle Eastern nation right now. A huge proportion of them are building stadiums and infrastructure for the World Cup. And if labour conditions in Qatar don’t improve, “at least 4000” migrant workers could die before the tournament kicks off in eight years.

Darren Sharper fired by NFL Network

Darren Sharper fired by NFL Network. NFL Network fired Darren Sharper following his arrest for rape, according to the New York Daily News. The former All-Pro safety had been working as an analyst for the league-owned network.

Sharper turned himself in to police in Los Angeles on Friday, hours after an arrest warrant was issued in New Orleans.

He is accused of raping nine women and drugging 11 in five states.

Sharper was charged with seven felonies in Los Angeles earlier this month related to cases in which he is accused of drugging and raping two women he met at nightclubs. He pleaded not guilty.

Cleveland Plain Dealer Chief Wahoo

Cleveland Plain Dealer Chief Wahoo.  For the first time it its history, Cleveland's leading newspaper is calling on the hometown Indians to dump their controversial Chief Wahoo logo.

"One day, the Indians will say goodbye to Wahoo," The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes in an editorial. "It's inevitable. And it's a little unsettling that it hasn't happened by now. Why cling to Wahoo when it so clearly offends?"

Like the Washington Redskins' name, the Chief Wahoo logo has been the source of controversy because it is, at best, racially insensitive. The Indians have used the logo in various capacities since 1947, but it really came into prominence when it was added to the team's hats in 1986.

Darren Sharper rape charges

Darren Sharper rape charges. Retired football star Darren Sharper has pleaded not guilty to allegations he drugged and then raped two women in Los Angeles as part of an ongoing investigation.

The 38-year-old former Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints star has been charged with seven rape and drug counts involving four women he allegedly met at a West Hollywood nightclub.

Court documents filed last week (ends14Feb14) revealed additional allegations from women in Las Vegas, New Orleans and Tempe, Arizona.

Fallout continues after Russian Adelina Sotnikova wins skating gold over Korean Yuna Kim

Fallout continues after Russian Adelina Sotnikova wins skating gold over Korean Yuna Kim. A Russian figure skater has beaten a Korean skater to the gold medal in the women’s free skate despite clearly being the second best competitor on the ice.

And Korea, which hosts the 2018 Winter Olympics, is absolutely furious.

Word among figure skating experts is that you’re skating on very thin ice indeed to believe that Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova’s upset victory over reigning Olympic champion Yuna Kim of South Korea was richly deserved.

Pistorius settles in assault case

Pistorius settles in assault case. Oscar Pistorius reached a settlement with a woman over an alleged assault case from 2009 because his lawyers advised him he could not fight civil and criminal legal battles at the same time, the spokeswoman for the Olympic athlete said on Wednesday.

Double-amputee runner Pistorius, who goes on trial on a murder charge next month, was arrested and accused of causing an injury to a guest at a party at his house five years ago after allegedly slamming a door and then punching it.

A-Rod suing MLB

A-Rod suing MLB. Alex Rodriguez has sued Major League Baseball and its commissioner, saying they are trying to destroy his reputation and career.

The lawsuit filed by the New York Yankees third baseman in New York State Supreme Court was made public Friday. It seeks unspecified damages.

Aaron Hernandez Update: Tanya Singleton, cousin of former NFL star, pleads not guilty to contempt

Aaron Hernandez Update: Tanya Singleton, cousin of former NFL star, pleads not guilty to contempt. FALL RIVER, Mass. - Tanya Singleton, a cousin of former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez, has pleaded not guilty to a contempt charge for allegedly refusing to testify before the grand jury that indicted Hernandez in the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Singleton entered her plea Friday in a Fall River court. She was ordered held without bail and is due back in court Oct. 3. Singleton's attorney declined to comment following the hearing, saying only, "She's doing good," Boston.com reports.

Michael Vick 10 Million 2013

Michael Vick 10 Million 2013.  Scratch Michael Vick off the list of possible Jets quarterbacks next season. The injury-prone Vick restructured his contract with the Eagles into a one-year deal, eliminating him from contention as either a replacement or competition for Mark Sanchez.

Michael Beasley released

Michael Beasley released. Earlier today we reported that Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley had been arrested after a traffic stop found marijuana in his possession. This comes after he told Suns fans and media that he was through with the drug at a press conference following his signing with the team.

Michael Vick 130 Million 2005

Michael Vick 130 Million 2005. Contract: 10 years, $135 million, $37 million guaranteed

Detroit bankrupt chant heard from Cleveland Indians fans during loss to Tigers

Detroit bankrupt chant heard from Cleveland Indians fans during loss to Tigers. When the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy last month, the implications for the city’s economy were apparent. But what about for it’s baseball team? This week, the Detroit Tigers were on the road playing the Cleveland Indians when they got a message from the Cleveland fans that had to sting.

Notre Dame New Uniforms 2014

Notre Dame New Uniforms 2014, Notre Dame will be testing out some alternate uniforms this season when they take on Arizona State on Oct. 5, 2013 at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Coyotes sale approved

Coyotes sale approved, It has only taken four years but finally (FINALLY!) the Coyotes have a new owner signed, sealed and delivered.

On Monday the NHL announced that it has sold the Coyotes franchise to the IceArizona/Renaissance Sports and Entertainment group that negotiated a new arena lease with the city of Glendale, a prerequisuite to purchase the team.

Kramer Williamson Crash: Sprint Cup driver Kramer Williamson dies following crash

Kramer Williamson Crash: Sprint Cup driver Kramer Williamson dies following crash . Veteran Sprint Car driver Kramer Williamson died from injuries suffered during a qualifying race at Lincoln Speedway in central Pennsylvania, according to race organizers and the coroner’s office.

Williamson, 63, of Palmyra, was pronounced dead at York Hospital at about 1:15 p.m. Sunday, the York County coroner’s office said. He had suffered serious injuries in a crash that occurred Saturday night during the United Racing Company 358/360 Sprint Car Challenge.

Coach wrong church: Alabama state champion coach fired for being a member of the wrong church

Coach wrong church, One of the most successful coaches in the state of Alabama is suddenly out of a job after he was dismissed for what initially seems to be a remarkably trivial reason: He attends the wrong church.

As reported by the Montgomery Advertiser, Prattville (Ala.) East Memorial Christian Academy super coach Scott Phillips, who led the school’s football program to its first state playoff berth in years and coached the boys basketball team to the first state title in any sport, was dismissed because he refused to force his family to attend East Memorial Baptist Church.