College Football
LOS ANGELES – A Southern California community college football player was suspended for five years on Monday after knocking out a referee during a game, but his school said the punch was accidental and the penalty will be appealed.
However, the 19-year-old man said in a telephone interview that he takes full responsibility for his actions and accepts whatever punishment he ultimately will receive.
The commissioner of the Southern California Football Association suspended Schirmer for what was termed a “Level 1 Decorum Infraction,” which carries a minimum 60-month suspension.
Schirmer was arrested on suspicion of battery after the incident, booked at Ventura County’s jail and released on bail. The district attorney’s office will decide whether to file criminal charges.
MINNEAPOLIS – Minneapolis police are trying to determine whether four Minnesota football players who were suspended from last weekend’s game against Indiana State were involved in an alleged sexual assault.
The assault allegedly occurred early on Sept. 3, hours after the Golden Gophers opened the season with a victory over Oregon State. Coach Tracy Claeys suspended cornerbacks KiAnte Hardin and Ray Buford, safety Dior Johnson and defensive end Tamarion Johnson for the Indiana State game on Saturday for violating unspecified team rules.
Police on Monday confirmed that the names of those four players have come up in their investigation.
HOCKEY
WASHINGTON – Two hard-fought exhibition games against Canada showed the United States exactly what it needs to work on before the World Cup of Hockey begins this weekend.
For coach John Tortorella, it wasn’t about the post-whistle pushing and shoving or the intensity that made the tune-up games feel more like the real thing. It’s more that the U.S. has to be sharper, especially in the tournament showdown against Canada on Sept. 20.
The U.S. has one exhibition game left, on Tuesday against Finland, before traveling to Toronto for the World Cup. Its opening game is Saturday against Team Europe.
NFL
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid once again kneeled during the national anthem before the San Francisco 49ers’ season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
No other Niners players joined in the protest Monday night, although Rams defensive lineman Robert Quinn and receiver Kenny Britt held fists up during the anthem.
Kaepernick has refused to stand for the anthem all season in protest of police brutality and racial oppression in the United States. Reid joined him during the final exhibition game when the two decided to kneel, instead of sit, in a move meant to show more respect to veterans.
Olympics
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Ryan Lochte will not receive separate punishment from the International Olympic Committee for lying about being robbed at gunpoint during the Rio de Janeiro Games.
The IOC says it is “adequate” that United States team officials have already banned the swimmer for 10 months and required him to forfeit $100,000 in bonuses. Lochte will miss the 2017 world championships.
Associated Press
