■ Cowboys: A woman says in a lawsuit filed only days before the Super Bowl that Michael Irvin, a former Dallas star, sexually assaulted her at a South Florida hotel, an allegation labeled a false attempt at "civil extortion" yesterday by Irvin's attorney.
The woman, identified only as "Jane Doe," filed the lawsuit on Thursday in Broward County Circuit Court seeking unspecified damages for the assault that allegedly occurred July 4 or 5, 2007, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood.
The incident was reported to Seminole tribal police on July 20, 2007, but the woman later signed a waiver of prosecution, Seminole tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said.
Irvin, 43, is a member of the pro football Hall of Fame who starred at wide receiver for the Cowboys from 1988 to 1999.
■ Bears: Chicago, unable to find outside help, has promoted Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator to complete its coaching staff.
Marinelli, who retained his assistant head-coach title, coached the Bears' defensive line this season after spending three years as the Detroit Lions' head coach.
He essentially replaces Coach Lovie Smith, who called plays last season even though linebackers coach Bob Babich still held the defensive-coordinator title. The Bears also promoted Eric Washington from assistant defensive-line coach to defensive-line coach and hired Shane Day as quarterbacks coach yesterday.
Andrew Hayes-Stoker (offense) and Mikal Smith (defense) were added as assistants.
■ Browns: Cleveland is holding the line on season-ticket prices.
The team said yesterday that it will not raise the price of season tickets — already among the league's lowest — for next season. The Browns have kept their prices unchanged five times in the past seven years and said the cost of some seats for next season will be lower than in 2009.
The Browns, who finished 5-11 in their first year under Coach Eric Mangini, will host Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, New England, the New York Jets, and AFC North rivals Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati.
■ Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson said he thinks he has played his last game as a San Diego Charger.
Tomlinson, a running back, told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that he has thought for a while he would be let go by the Chargers.
Tomlinson, the NFL's most valuable player in 2006, has two years remaining on his contract. He is due a $2 million roster bonus March 5 and would be paid $5 million in total salary in 2010.
Tomlinson has become one of the most beloved athletes in San Diego history during a nine-year career but his production and speed have been decreasing.
Tomlinson had 730 yards on 223 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry this past season, all career lows.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement