Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A subdued Steve Smith apologized to his Carolina Panthers teammates, coaches and fans three days after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at practice, leaving the starting cornerback with a broken nose that will require surgery.
Smith, who was suspended without pay for the first two regular season games, spoke to reporters for approximately four minutes after his first practice with the team since the incident. He did not answer questions.
"I'm not going to get into who's right, who's wrong. I'm completely wrong," Smith said. "It was an asinine decision. And I'll move forward better than I probably have ever had to. It's the first time in my life that I really haven't forgiven myself."
Lucas also returned to the team yesterday with a black left eye and swelling around his nose. The cornerback said he accepted Smith's apology and that he'll probably be sidelined two to three weeks.
"Depending on the surgery," Lucas said. "We're still waiting on the doctors to give us the timetable on when we're going to have this procedure done." . . .
Kansas City Chiefs rookie defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey should miss about a week after spraining his left knee in practice over the weekend. The team said an MRI exam showed no additional damage. . . .
Offensive lineman John Welbourn, who started every game at right guard last season for Kansas City, signed with the New England Patriots. . . .
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chris Gray retired before his 16th season because of a lower back and spine injury that threatened his ability to walk. Gray, 38, said three team doctors told him Saturday he risked paralysis if he continued playing. . . .
Buffalo Bills linebacker Alvin Bowen is scheduled for surgery next week on a torn right knee ligament, likely ending his rookie season before it starts. . . .
Philadelphia Eagles guard Shawn Andrews says he is battling depression and might end his training camp holdout this week.
Andrews told the Philadelphia Daily News that he has decided to get professional help and is on medication. The two-time Pro Bowl selection says the depression began more than a year ago and has worsened.
· COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Women's coach Pat Summitt will donate $600,000 to the University of Tennessee to be shared by the Knoxville and Martin campuses.
The donation will be given over several years to support the women's basketball programs at both campuses and includes a $100,000 endowed scholarship for a Lady Vols basketball graduate assistant in honor of Summitt's parents, Richard and Hazel Head.
· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Cornerback Mike Brown is no longer a member of Virginia's football team.
The school announced the move Sunday in a two-paragraph release that included no comments from Coach Al Groh.
Brown hadn't participated in team activities since March, when police charged him with three felonies, including grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell and altering serial numbers. A grand jury will hear his case this month.
· PRO BASKETBALL: The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent center Kwame Brown, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.
Joe Dumars, the team's president for basketball operations, told the Associated Press last week that Brown will be paid $4 million next season. Brown has an option for a second season for another $4 million. . . .
Police detained the Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce in handcuffs during a weekend traffic stop on the Las Vegas Strip, but released him without issuing a summons. . . .
The 76ers re-signed guard Louis Williams, keeping a key member of Philadelphia's first playoff team in three years.
The deal was reportedly worth more than $25 million over five years. . . .
The Cleveland Cavaliers, looking to add back-court depth, signed former Memphis Grizzlies guard Tarence Kinsey.
Kinsey split last season between Memphis and a Turkish league team. . . .
Point guard Carlos Arroyo, who spent the last two seasons with the Orlando Magic, signed with Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv.
· HOCKEY: The Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings added Brad McCrimmon to their coaching staff and re-signed assistant Paul MacLean.
-- From News Services
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