Tag: investigation

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Death of ex-WR Mike Williams investigated for ‘unprescribed narcotics’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The death of former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams is being investigated after police received word that he might have been given unprescribed drugs.

In an email to multiple news outlets Tuesday, the Tampa Police Department said it’s looking into the possibility Williams received “unprescribed narcotics by an outside party” while he was hospitalized after a construction accident.

“We take all allegations of criminal activity seriously, and detectives are working tirelessly on this active investigation,” the police email said.

The Hillsborough County (Fla.) Medical Examiner’s office is also investigating Williams’ death.

Williams died on Sept. 12 at age 36. He suffered injuries in a construction accident that reportedly left him partially paralyzed, and he spent more than two weeks in the hospital before his death.

Williams was a Buffalo, N.Y., native who played nearby at Syracuse University. He burst onto the scene in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. His receiving TD total set the single-season club mark at the time for any player, and he wound up second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Williams finished his career with 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games (52 starts) across four years with Tampa Bay and one with the Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Aug 11, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) looks on against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

NFL won’t punish Tyreek Hill for marina incident

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The NFL said Thursday it will not take action against Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill over an alleged assault at a Miami marina back in June.

News reports at the time of the incident said Hill allegedly struck a marina employee during a disagreement on June 18. Police investigated but no charges were filed. Attorneys for both sides released a joint statement in July announcing that the situation had been resolved.

Hill told reporters earlier this summer that he was not concerned about a potential punishment or suspension from the league. He said his only focus was on the upcoming season.

“When I’m able to come here and play ball, man, I get a chance to get away from all that at the end of the day,” Hill said. “So that’s the great thing about football. God has blessed me to be able to perform and do what I do, and I’m blessed and grateful for that, and I just can’t make bonehead mistakes like that.”

Hill, 29, is entering his second campaign with the Dolphins after playing his first six years with the Kansas City Chiefs. He posted career highs in receptions (119) and yards (1,710) and scored seven touchdowns in 17 games last season.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro, Hill has career totals of 598 catches for 8,340 yards and 63 touchdowns in 108 games (90 starts).

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern to have 2 external reviews after Pat Fitzgerald firing

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Northwestern will launch two separate, external reviews into its athletic department in the aftermath of investigations that led the university to fire football coach Pat Fitzgerald and baseball coach Jim Foster, it announced Tuesday.

Northwestern president Michael Schill said in a letter to the university community that the reviews were a matter of accountability, and the results of both will be made public.

One review will focus on the university’s “ability to detect threats to the welfare of student-athletes,” while the other will center on the culture of the athletic department as a whole.

“I write to you today to give you my commitment that I will continue to do whatever is necessary to address this situation and ensure that our athletic program remains one you can be proud of and one that is fully aligned with and reflects our values,” Schill wrote in part. “Equally important, I give you my commitment that we will redouble our efforts to safeguard the welfare of each and every student-athlete at Northwestern.”

At least one lawsuit has been filed against the university, Schill, Fitzgerald and other Northwestern trustees alleging they were negligent in letting a culture of hazing fester in the football program.

A growing group of 12 former players have retained attorney Ben Crump to pursue legal action. According to ESPN, news conferences with Crump and other attorneys working the case are scheduled for Wednesday morning in Chicago.

Fitzgerald’s attorney, Dan Webb, released a statement Tuesday evening addressing the ex-coach being named in a John Doe complaint.

“Instead of making actual detailed factual allegations about Coach Fitzgerald’s conduct, the complaint makes a variety of broad-based and sweeping allegations ‘upon information and belief,’ without citing any specific facts or evidence,” Webb wrote in part.

“Nothing in the John Doe complaint comes close to contradicting the conclusions of the months-long investigation led by Attorney Maggie Hickey — that Coach Fitzgerald had no knowledge whatsoever of any form of hazing within the Northwestern Football Program.”

Fitzgerald was fired for cause July 10 after initially being suspended for two weeks without pay. Fitzgerald is also mulling legal action against the school for breach of contract.

In announcing Fitzgerald’s termination, Schill said players were exposed to “forced participation, nudity and sexualized acts of a degrading nature, in clear violation of Northwestern policies and values.”

–Field Level Media

A Ryan Field renovation project at Northwestern with an estimated cost of $800 million is a new target of university faculty. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern faculty call for release of investigation findings

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Northwestern faculty formally requested the university make public the findings of the hazing investigation that led to the dismissal of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

In a letter to the university president and other school officials, a group of six faculty at the private university and residents of Evanston, Ill., called for the delay of a planned $800 million renovation to Ryan Field, the Wildcats’ football stadium.

Fitzgerald, head coach at Northwestern since 2006, was fired on Monday with $42 million remaining on his contract. That decision came three days after the original discipline for Fitzgerald was a two-week suspension without pay, all stemming from an independent investigation that found hazing allegations were “largely supported by evidence.”

A player came forward to the student newspaper, the Daily Northwestern, and revealed that the investigation was not just into allegations of hazing, but alleged coerced sexual acts.

Fitzgerald was also accused of presiding over a “culture of enabling racism.”

There have also been calls for support for Fitzgerald from some former players and alumni.

University president Michael Schill wrote a letter to the Northwestern community Saturday night admitting that the school “may have erred” in the severity of its discipline. Schill then confirmed reports of Fitzgerald’s firing with another letter Monday evening.

“This afternoon, I informed Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald that he was being relieved of his duties effective immediately,” Schill wrote Monday. “The decision comes after a difficult and complex evaluation of my original discipline decision imposed last week on Coach Fitzgerald for his failure to know and prevent significant hazing in the football program.”

Schill said he spent “a great deal of time” discussing the matter with the board of trustees, faculty, students, alumni “and Coach Fitzgerald himself.”

Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg, a former NCAA executive and AD at Tulsa and Eastern Michigan University, was in contact with Schill while on a scheduled overseas vacation, which he reportedly returned from Tuesday. He is reportedly scheduled to meet with the team later Tuesday.

Gragg took over in June 2021 after the resignation of Mike Polisky, previously deputy AD at Northwestern, just days into the job. Polisky stepped down in May 2021 after being named in a sexual harassment lawsuit by former Wildcats cheerleaders.

–Field Level Media

Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Indianapolis Colts helmet logo at midfield at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colts player subject of NFL investigation into betting activity

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The NFL is investigating an unnamed player for the Indianapolis Colts due to his betting activity, the team confirmed Monday.

“We are aware of the NFL’s investigation, and we will have no further comment at this time,” the Colts said in a statement to multiple outlets.

SportsHandle.com reported that a Colts player was the subject of an investigation for placing “hundreds” of bets, a “considerable” number coming from inside the team’s practice facility. The player placed some bets on his own team, according to the report.

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, then of the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games while he was away from the team. He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last fall and reinstated by the league last March.

In April, the NFL suspended five more players for violating its gambling policy. Detroit Lions receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were handed indefinite bans for betting on NFL games, while Detroit receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were given six-game suspensions for betting on non-NFL events from inside an NFL facility.

Detroit has since released Cephus, Moore and Berryhill.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2022; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Commanders co-owner Dan Snyder speaks as co-owner Tanya Snyder (L) listens during a press conference revealing the Commanders as the new name for the formerly named Washington Football Team at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Dan Snyder wants NFL to block release of investigation findings

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Before Dan Snyder will sign off on a deal to sell the Washington Commanders, he wants assurances that a full investigative report into his activities will not be made public, ESPN reported Friday.

Attorney Mary Jo White’s upcoming report following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties remains a sticking point between Snyder and the NFL, per the report.

ESPN said a Commanders spokesperson called the network’s story “completely false and a blatant fabrication by someone with no actual knowledge of this matter.” An NFL spokesman declined to answer questions.

A group led by Josh Harris has submitted a $6 billion bid to purchase the team from the embattled Snyder. Harris is a hedge fund manager who is majority owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and co-owner of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

Sources told ESPN that it was doubtful that Snyder would be able to stall the sale because of the report.

“His odds of burying the report are the same as his odds of trading for Patrick Mahomes,” a source close to Snyder told ESPN. “He can try to not sell the team, but that isn’t a real option.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell has said in public that he expects the contents of the White report to be made public.

This is the second recent major investigation into Snyder. Only limited portions of the investigative report overseen by attorney Beth Wilkerson were released in July 2021, at which time Snyder was fined $10 million and forced to cede day-to-day control of the team to his wife, Tanya.

White is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against Snyder that date back as far as 2009. Federal prosecutors reportedly are looking into allegations of financial improprieties as well.

–Field Level Media

Apr 13, 2023; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. walks into his introduction press conference at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. a suspect in assault

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Newly signed Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been named as a suspect in an assault investigation in Los Angeles, TMZ Sports reported Friday.

According to the report, a woman told police that Beckham put his hand around her neck at local hotspot Delilah several weeks ago and grabbed her throat with “light pressure.”

Beckham and the woman remained at the club the rest of the night without further incident, and the woman contacted police a few days later, per the report.

A representative for Beckham told TMZ Sports that they are unaware of any investigation and that the wideout vehemently denies doing anything wrong.

“We were contacted about an investigation and reviewed the videos, the claim is false,” John Terzian, owner of Delilah, told TMZ. “There is no evidence of this person even being in the area where she claims the incident occurred.”

The report comes less than two weeks after the three-time Pro Bowl wideout signed a $15 million deal with the Ravens for the 2023 season.

Beckham, 30, missed the 2022 season after tearing his left ACL during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win against the Cincinnati Bengals on Feb. 13, 2022.

Beckham has 531 catches for 7,367 yards and 56 touchdowns in 96 career games (91 starts) with the New York Giants (2014-18), Cleveland Browns (2019-21) and Rams. He exceeded 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan had proof former co-OC accessed others’ computer accounts

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In a termination letter to former co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, Michigan said it had evidence that he had “inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals” and was firing him with cause after he failed to respond to a request to meet with school officials.

Weiss was fired Jan. 20. The letter was released to multiple news organizations Monday via a public records request.

Michigan had placed Weiss on leave Jan. 17 and requested he meet with officials on Jan. 19 to discuss the alleged wrongdoing. Weiss did not show, according to the letter.

“Because you did not attend this meeting and offer any additional information, we are making our decision based on the evidence that we have,” executive associate athletic director Doug Gnodtke wrote in the letter. “Based on the evidence it appears that you have inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals in violation of SPG 601.07. As a result, your appointment has been terminated with cause.”

The code Gnodtke cited asks members of the campus community “to be good stewards of the university’s information resources and data, and use them in a safe, responsible, ethical, and legal manner.”

Further specifics about the alleged computer crimes were not yet known. The university did not release the evidence it said it had, citing exemptions under state law.

The university’s chief of police, Melissa Overton, told the Detroit News Monday that its investigation remained active.

The Detroit News and ESPN previously reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program on campus.

Weiss, 39, had just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, Weiss was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

“I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place,” Weiss tweeted following his firing. “I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan co-OC Matt Weiss on leave amid reported investigation

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Michigan placed co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss on leave, an athletic department spokesman told multiple outlets Tuesday, as the university’s police department investigates his potential involvement in computer-related crimes on campus.

The Detroit News and ESPN reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police have also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program.

“The University of Michigan Police Department is investigating a report of computer access crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall during December 21-23, 2022,” University of Michigan deputy chief of police Crystal James said in a statement, without naming Weiss. “Since this is an ongoing investigation there is no additional information to share.”

Further details about the nature of the crimes were not yet known.

Weiss, 39, just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, Weiss was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

Michigan is coming off a 13-1 season with a Big Ten title and a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Jim Harbaugh said Monday that he will be back in 2023, turning down reported interest from NFL teams. The program also received a notice of allegations from the NCAA this month for Level I and II violations.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is taken off the field after suffering a head injury following a sack by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou (not pictured) in the second quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: NFL, NFLPA interview Tua Tagovailoa on Tuesday

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is being interviewed Tuesday by representatives from the NFL and the NFL Players Association regarding his Week 3 concussion check, NFL Network and the Washington Post reported.

The league and union are conducting an investigation into the circumstances that led Tagovailoa to return to the field early in Week 3 after exhibiting concussion-like symptoms.

The NFLPA has already fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who cleared Tagovailoa to return to that game, per reports, for making “several mistakes” in the process of evaluating the third-year quarterback.

The investigation could be completed as soon as the end of this week, and the NFL has said its findings will be made public.

Tagovailoa was injured in the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25. He stumbled to the ground while beginning to leave the field.

But after the Dolphins initially announced he was being evaluated for a head injury, Tagovailoa passed the concussion protocol and returned in the third quarter. He said after the game he hurt his back, not his head.

Four days later, he was swung to the ground by a Cincinnati Bengals player and his head and upper back hit the turf hard. His hands displayed the “fencing response,” a sign of a concussion. He was stretchered off the field and was evaluated at a Cincinnati hospital. He was released later that evening, flying back home to Miami with his teammates.

Tagovailoa has already been ruled out for Miami’s Week 5 game against the New York Jets this Sunday as he recovers from the concussion.

–Field Level Media