NFL
Congressmen write league about domestic violence
WASHINGTON – Two members of Congress have asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to clarify whether teams can lose draft picks if they do not properly address domestic violence.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Goodell, Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, and Rep. Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California, write: “We urge you to create accountability at all levels of the NFL, particularly among team owners, who have the most direct financial incentives to avoid long-term suspensions and quickly get players back on the field.”
Browns roll out ‘new’ logo with slightly modified colors
BEREA, Ohio – The Browns have unveiled a new primary logo, and it’s not much different than the old one.
The only NFL team without a logo decal on its helmet, Cleveland’s main logo remains its iconic helmet though with a brighter orange and a brown facemask. The team wanted to recognize its strong tradition with the updated logo and a secondary “Dawg Pound” image, which honors the Browns’ passionate fan base.
Browns president Alec Scheiner said Tuesday the team will unveil its new uniforms on April 14. The only hint Scheiner would provide about the new Nike-designed uniforms is they “will move farther ahead” than the logo.
Skiing
Japan’s ‘King of Skiing’ returns to competition
KATASHINA, Japan — Kenji Ogiwara, who won gold medals in the Nordic combined team events at the 1992 Albertville and 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, recently made a return to competition.
The 45-year-old Ogiwara, who was dubbed “The King of Skiing,” was eighth in the adult men’s B category at the National Athletic Meet in Katashina, Gunma Prefecture, on Sunday, moving up in the cross-country portion after ending 11th in the ski-jumping segment.
Former world champion Marion Rolland retires
PARIS – France’s former downhill world champion Marion Rolland is retiring after sustaining serious knee injuries over the past two years.
Having won gold in 2013, Rolland did not defend her world title earlier this month at Beaver Creek after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during a World Cup super-G in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The 32-year-old Frenchwoman had treatment on the same knee two years ago, and missed the Olympic Games in Sochi last year.
Rolland, who will undergo surgery on her injured knee, said “it’s time for me to think about the future. I couldn’t have stopped last year without trying to defend my title, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. Now I’m serene.”
Soccer
FIFA recommends winter date for Qatar World Cup
DOHA, Qatar – A FIFA task force has recommended playing the 2022 World Cup in November-December to avoid the summer heat in Qatar.
FIFA says the task force chose the option over other proposals to play in January or May. FIFA also says the tournament should be shorter than the current 32-day schedule.
The plan must be approved by the FIFA executive committee, chaired by President Sepp Blatter, at a March 19-20 meeting in Zurich.
Blatter has long favored November-December to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics, scheduled for February 2022.
European clubs and leagues oppose FIFA’s proposal, which shuts them down for several weeks in midseason.
FIFA chose Qatar as host in December 2010, when the gas-rich emirate had bid to host the tournament in the traditional June-July slot.
Associated Press
