Football (not soccer)

Paul Tagliabue to hear appeals

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed predecessor Paul Tagliabue to hear the appeals of four players
suspended in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal.

Goodell said Friday he notified Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove, as well as
the players' union, that Tagliabue would be the hearing officer to "decide the appeals and bring the matter
to a prompt and fair conclusion."

The union and the four players had asked Goodell to recuse himself, contending he could not fairly rule. Their
second set of appeals will be heard Oct. 30.

"The commissioner's decision today makes it clear to us that he's finally been convinced there is no way he
could ever have been a fair and neutral arbitrator," Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, told ESPN's Ed Werder.
"Having said that, we need time to evaluate whether Commissioner Tagliabue -- as much as we respect the
work he did for the NFL -- is an appropriate replacement given fact Mr. Tagliabue works for the same law
firm representing Mr. Goodell in both the challenge to the discipline, as well as Mr. Vilma's defamation lawsuit
against Mr Goodell. We are also concerned the commissioner failed to follow CBA procedures regarding consulting
with the union before making an appointment of this sort.''


Vilma was suspended for the 2012 season and Smith was banned four games for his role in the bounties program.
Fujita, now with the Browns, was barred three games, since reduced to one. Hargrove is a free agent whose
suspension was reduced from eight games to seven.

"I have held two hearings to date and have modified the discipline in several respects based on my recent meetings
with the players," Goodell said. "I will have no role in the upcoming hearings or in Mr. Tagliabue's decisions."

"Paul Tagliabue is a genuine football authority whose tenure as commissioner was marked by his thorough and
judicious approach to all matters," he added. "He has many years of experience in NFL collective bargaining matters
and an impeccable reputation for integrity."

Tagliabue was NFL commissioner from 1989-2006 and is a lawyer. For part of that time, Goodell was the league's
general counsel.

An interesting development but can someone who works for the same law firm as Goodell have the kind of detached neutrality this case/cases so rightly deserves?

Chiefs Player kills Woman, Commits Suicide

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 25-year-old Kansas City Chiefs player shot his girlfriend early Saturday,
then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and turned the gun on himself as two team officials were
confronting him, police said.

Kansas City police Supervisor Andrea Khan would not release the name of the player involved.

Police spokesman Darin Snapp said authorities received a call Saturday morning from a woman
who said her daughter had been shot multiple times at a residence about five miles away from
the Arrowhead complex. Snapp said a call was then received from the Chiefs' practice facility.

Upon arriving, Snapp said that police witnessed a black male in a car with a handgun to his
head talking to two Chiefs officials. That's when police heard a gunshot.

Arrowhead Stadium has been locked down since about 8 a.m.

"We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning," the Chiefs said
in a statement. "We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation."

Members of the Chiefs organization told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that some players noticed
Belcher was troubled in his car, and went in the facility and told someone, before coach Romeo Crennel
and general manager Scott Pioli called police and went outside to talk to him. Belcher then killed
himself in front of them.

Before turning the gun on himself, Belcher thanked Pioli and Crennel for all they had done for him,
police spokesman Darin Snapp said.

'zona to fire head coach + GM.

I don't recall in other seasons such a blood-letting?