In the last week alone, we have seen four NFL players arrested for various crimes – Deandre Baker and Quinton Dunbar wanted in an armed robbery, Ed Oliver was arrested for driving while intoxicated and carrying a weapon unlawfully, and Cody Lattimer was arrested on accusations of assault and illegal discharge of a firearm. You can now add a fifth player to that list.

On Tuesday, 2017 third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, Montravius Adams was arrested in Georgia for possession of marijuana, driving without insurance and driving with a suspended, cancelled or revoked registration. 

The 24-year old was released on $2,964 bond a couple hours after his arrest by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

Fortunately for Adams, he may not face significant discipline by the NFL for his marijuana possession, as the league changed its substance abuse policy a couple of months ago as a part of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA. 

The Packers issued a statement saying that they will not be making any comment on the incident. “The Packers are aware of the matter involving Montravius Adams,” the team said. “We will refrain from making any further comment as it is an ongoing legal matter.”

Thus far in his three seasons, Adams has appeared in 37 games, starting in three of them, and had 33 total tackles which includes 1.5 sacks.

AP PA Headlines 5/24/20

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State health officials say civil penalties totaling more than $93,000 have been assessed against nursing care facilities in Pennsylvania amid hundreds of complaint investigations during the coronavirus pandemic. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Saturday that nursing home surveyors have conducted more than 1,470 inspections of nursing homes since the beginning of February. Officials said more than 5,000 deaths in the commonwealth are now associated with the coronavirus. State health officials also reported that more than 700 more people testing positive for the coronavirus, bringing

YARDLEY, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say the deaths of two men at a luxury apartment complex in the Philadelphia area are believed to have been a murder-suicide. Police in Lower Makefield Township were called to The Edge at Yardley at about 12:30 p.m. Friday and found a man lying on the ground outside with multiple gunshot wounds. A witness told police that the shooter had entered a downstairs apartment, and police evacuated about 50 people and told others to shelter in place. Hours later, police said, Bucks County SWAT Team members entered and found the man dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Police say a man in a north Philadelphia hospital for drug detoxification barricaded himself in a room in the emergency department and set fire to bed sheets, but no one was injured. Police said the 30- to 40-year-old man was searched by security at Temple University Hospital’s Episcopal  Campus at about 2:40 p.m. Saturday and placed in a room. Police said he barricaded himself inside and turned on oxygen tanks, then lit the bed sheets on fire. Police said a maintenance man broke a window and the man climbed out and fought with security, but police arrived and arrested him.

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two men have been charged with firing nearly a dozen shots at three Pittsburgh-area police officers who were following them in February. Court documents indicate that 19-year-old Ezra Michael Grant of Greensburg and 18-year-old J’Lamar Jeremiah Washington of Pittsburgh face charges including attempted homicide and assault on a law enforcement officer in the Feb. 4 shooting. The Tribune-Review reports that no one was seriously hurt. Detectives said Grant denied shooting at the van. Court documents don’t list defense attorneys and listed numbers for them couldn’t be found Saturday.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

 

Features

(AP) —  Millions of Americans are set to emerge from coronavirus lockdowns and venture outdoors to celebrate Memorial Day weekend at beaches, cookouts and family outings. But public health officials have deep concerns that large gatherings could cause outbreaks to come roaring back. Medical experts warn the virus won’t take a holiday for the unofficial start of summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home, avoiding crowds and connecting with family by phone or video chat. Specialists advise those who celebrate to maintain social distancing, wear masks and avoid sharing food and drinks.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

 

Sports

(AP) —  Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are getting ready for another made-for-TV match, this time with friends from the NFL. Woods and Peyton Manning take on Mickelson and Tom Brady in what’s being billed as “The Match: Champions for Charity.” It will be the second straight Sunday live golf is on TV. The purpose is to raise $10 million for COVID-19 relief efforts and to provide entertainment. Another big appeal is seeing golf’s biggest star on TV again. Woods was last seen on Feb. 16 at Riviera when he shot weekend rounds of 76 and 77 and finished last at the Genesis Invitational.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Linebacker Anthony Chickillo has agreed to a contract with the New Orleans Saints after playing the last five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal was announced Saturday by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Chickillo is changing teams for the first time. He was drafted in the sixth round by Pittsburgh in 2015. He played in 11 games for the Steelers last season.

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July. It’s the clearest sign yet that the NBA believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Games would be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive campus on the Disney property near Orlando. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the conversations were still “exploratory,” and that the site would be used for practices and housing as well.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested in Southern California on Friday. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said the second player taken in the 1998 draft was taken into custody on a domestic battery charge in Palm Desert, about 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Leaf was being held on $5,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. Leaf finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1997 and led Washington State to the Rose Bowl. Drafted by the Chargers, he won just four of 18 games as a starter in three seasons with the team.

UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Nationals have changed their plans for a virtual World Series ring ceremony after players decided they would rather wait until they could reunite in person to receive their new jewelry. The Nationals previously announced they were going to give out the rings during a show broadcast on television and online. They still plan to unveil the design of the ring Sunday, the anniversary of the date they began their turnaround from a 19-31 record to World Series champs.

UNDATED (AP) — Canada’s NHL teams have offered season ticket-holders rebate or refund options in acknowledgment that no more 2019-20 regular-season games will be played in front of fans in their respective buildings. The Canadian Press says all seven teams contacted their season ticket bases last week with options and/or deadlines to make a decision. Leagues and teams around the world are either playing in empty stadiums or trying to figure out a way to just resume play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STERLING, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump played golf Saturday for the first time since he declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency more than two months ago. The golf outing came a day after Trump said houses of worship are “essential” and he demanded that governors allow them to reopen during the holiday weekend. Photographs that appeared on Twitter showed him swinging a golf club and driving alone in a cart on the course at his private Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

AP PA Headlines 5/24/20

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State health officials say civil penalties totaling more than $93,000 have been assessed against nursing care facilities in Pennsylvania amid hundreds of complaint investigations during the coronavirus pandemic. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Saturday that nursing home surveyors have conducted more than 1,470 inspections of nursing homes since the beginning of February. Officials said more than 5,000 deaths in the commonwealth are now associated with the coronavirus. State health officials also reported that more than 700 more people testing positive for the coronavirus, bringing

YARDLEY, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say the deaths of two men at a luxury apartment complex in the Philadelphia area are believed to have been a murder-suicide. Police in Lower Makefield Township were called to The Edge at Yardley at about 12:30 p.m. Friday and found a man lying on the ground outside with multiple gunshot wounds. A witness told police that the shooter had entered a downstairs apartment, and police evacuated about 50 people and told others to shelter in place. Hours later, police said, Bucks County SWAT Team members entered and found the man dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Police say a man in a north Philadelphia hospital for drug detoxification barricaded himself in a room in the emergency department and set fire to bed sheets, but no one was injured. Police said the 30- to 40-year-old man was searched by security at Temple University Hospital’s Episcopal  Campus at about 2:40 p.m. Saturday and placed in a room. Police said he barricaded himself inside and turned on oxygen tanks, then lit the bed sheets on fire. Police said a maintenance man broke a window and the man climbed out and fought with security, but police arrived and arrested him.

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two men have been charged with firing nearly a dozen shots at three Pittsburgh-area police officers who were following them in February. Court documents indicate that 19-year-old Ezra Michael Grant of Greensburg and 18-year-old J’Lamar Jeremiah Washington of Pittsburgh face charges including attempted homicide and assault on a law enforcement officer in the Feb. 4 shooting. The Tribune-Review reports that no one was seriously hurt. Detectives said Grant denied shooting at the van. Court documents don’t list defense attorneys and listed numbers for them couldn’t be found Saturday.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

 

Features

(AP) —  Millions of Americans are set to emerge from coronavirus lockdowns and venture outdoors to celebrate Memorial Day weekend at beaches, cookouts and family outings. But public health officials have deep concerns that large gatherings could cause outbreaks to come roaring back. Medical experts warn the virus won’t take a holiday for the unofficial start of summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home, avoiding crowds and connecting with family by phone or video chat. Specialists advise those who celebrate to maintain social distancing, wear masks and avoid sharing food and drinks.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

 

Sports

(AP) —  Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are getting ready for another made-for-TV match, this time with friends from the NFL. Woods and Peyton Manning take on Mickelson and Tom Brady in what’s being billed as “The Match: Champions for Charity.” It will be the second straight Sunday live golf is on TV. The purpose is to raise $10 million for COVID-19 relief efforts and to provide entertainment. Another big appeal is seeing golf’s biggest star on TV again. Woods was last seen on Feb. 16 at Riviera when he shot weekend rounds of 76 and 77 and finished last at the Genesis Invitational.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Linebacker Anthony Chickillo has agreed to a contract with the New Orleans Saints after playing the last five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal was announced Saturday by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Chickillo is changing teams for the first time. He was drafted in the sixth round by Pittsburgh in 2015. He played in 11 games for the Steelers last season.

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July. It’s the clearest sign yet that the NBA believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Games would be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive campus on the Disney property near Orlando. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the conversations were still “exploratory,” and that the site would be used for practices and housing as well.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested in Southern California on Friday. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said the second player taken in the 1998 draft was taken into custody on a domestic battery charge in Palm Desert, about 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Leaf was being held on $5,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. Leaf finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1997 and led Washington State to the Rose Bowl. Drafted by the Chargers, he won just four of 18 games as a starter in three seasons with the team.

UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Nationals have changed their plans for a virtual World Series ring ceremony after players decided they would rather wait until they could reunite in person to receive their new jewelry. The Nationals previously announced they were going to give out the rings during a show broadcast on television and online. They still plan to unveil the design of the ring Sunday, the anniversary of the date they began their turnaround from a 19-31 record to World Series champs.

UNDATED (AP) — Canada’s NHL teams have offered season ticket-holders rebate or refund options in acknowledgment that no more 2019-20 regular-season games will be played in front of fans in their respective buildings. The Canadian Press says all seven teams contacted their season ticket bases last week with options and/or deadlines to make a decision. Leagues and teams around the world are either playing in empty stadiums or trying to figure out a way to just resume play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STERLING, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump played golf Saturday for the first time since he declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency more than two months ago. The golf outing came a day after Trump said houses of worship are “essential” and he demanded that governors allow them to reopen during the holiday weekend. Photographs that appeared on Twitter showed him swinging a golf club and driving alone in a cart on the course at his private Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

A call about an erratic driver in Montgomery County ended up with the arrest of an NFL player over the weekend.

According to authorities in Montgomery County, they received a 911 call from a driver on Saturday night, who said a man driving a white Ford F-250 was driving recklessly while pulling a trailer with an ATV. 

The caller said it was in the area of Highway 242, near the Conroe area. The man was speeding and unable to stay in his own lane in a 45 mph construction zone. 

The truck and trailer were eventually stopped and, after failing field sobriety tests, the man was placed in custody  for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. 

Found inside the car was a small caliber pistol, which Texas State law says one cannot be in possession of when engaging in criminal activity. He was also charged with misdemeanor Unlawful carrying of a weapon. 

The man was identified as 22 year old Ed Oliver of Houston. Oliver currently plays for the Buffalo Bills, and was a first round pick in the 2019 draft. 

No further information was released. 

Jurgen Klopp has likened his Liverpool players to showing the excitement of “five and six-year-old boys” over a return to football.

The Reds last played competitively 55 days ago on March 11 and were merely six points away from clinching the Premier League title before the pandemic caused all fixtures to be suspended.

Since then, like the rest of the world, the squad have isolated at home and in order to keep fit and firing each player was handed an individual training programme, like they would during the offseason.

And now discussions are picking up as to when the Premier League can safely return, with a date in June widely reported for games, with training to resume later this month – first with individual sessions followed by team training.

Liverpool have been providing a glimpse into how the players are staying active over Zoom, whilst the squad themselves have been ever-present on social media, from Alisson’s novel throwing practice to Jordan Henderson training with a professional cyclist.

And the boss, who is equally “recharged,” can see the eagerness exuding from his team to return to the field of play, but insisted there is still work to be done before games resume.

“The boys have a lot of work to do, physical work because we all expect to go again,” Klopp told Fox Sports, via the Mirror.

“I don’t know exactly when but we have to prepare for that – that is what the boys do.

“When we come back together again, we have to make the best of the situation we have. We don’t know how long we will get to prepare for the games, so in that moment we will just try.

“When we give the boys a challenge to do in their gardens you can see in them they play really like five and six-year-old boys.

“And that is what we will try to transfer onto the pitch then as well.

“There will be busy times coming up – hopefully – but we are prepared for that.

“We are so recharged I can tell you – you can use my energy to light up different cities in my home area! So that’s 100 percent possible and that’s how it is at the moment.”

Liverpool’s time in lockdown extends beyond maintaining physical fitness as the Reds have also looked to keep mentally sharp through video analysis and the spirits high by showing highlights of recent triumphs.

It’s these “little things” which are keeping Liverpool focused on what lies ahead and what is also keeping them grounded, with the Premier League title next on the to-do list when it is possible to return.

“We have to make sure that we will be physically ready again. Then there is the technical thing and the tactical thing,” he added.

“It is the tactical thing we probably work most on at the moment with a lot of videos we send the boys – we send them videos of what we did well, what we didn’t do well and what we want to do in the future.

“We remind ourselves of things we have achieved in the past and want to achieve in the future.

“There are a lot of things we are really looking forward to do again. It is the little things, you appreciate the little things so much more in this moment, the little things you can do.”

Exclusive Details

7:23 AM PT — 4/28 — TMZ Sports has obtained the arrest report … and it’s shocking.

Cops say the arresting officer used a taser and a firearm to take Breeland into custody as the NFL player allegedly “attempted to flee the scene.”

Here’s the deal … a York County Sheriff’s deputy claims he saw Breeland and two other men smoking marijuana at a gas station at around 11 AM on Tuesday.

The cop says the men tried to hide the weed when he arrived — with Breeland repeatedly attempting to leave the scene.

The officer says he initially pulled out a taser and began to issue commands to Breeland to stop resisting — but Breeland would not comply. So the officer, “drew his issued firearm and issued more lawful commands to Bashaud Breeland who was concealing his hand.”

The officer says citizens in the area were begging Breeland to “stop resisting” and ultimately the officer was able to put him in handcuffs.

When backup arrived, officers searched Breeland’s car and claim they found a “large marijuana blunt” along with 3.2 grams of weed in the driver door.

Cops say they also found open bottles of beer and tequila in the car.

There’s more … cops say Breeland gave deputies permission to look through his cell phone — and they allegedly found “several communications about drug transactions.”

“Bashaud Breeland had several messages to dealers placing orders of large quantities of marijuana in bags like what was found in his driver’s door.”

According to the arrest report, Breeland told cops he is a “marijuana enthusiast” who simply likes to smoke … the insinuation is that he denies being a drug dealer.

Cops also say Breeland “had a large amount of cash on him as well.”

Breeland was eventually transported to a nearby police station where he was booked for multiple charges including resisting arrest and possession of weed.

He was released late Tuesday night on $2,362 bond.

8:01 AM PT — Breeland shared his side of things in a since-deleted tweet late Tuesday night … claiming it was a set-up.

“I really was at a gas pump got approach by two guys police pulled up they throw something my car as police pulled up which the cop saw,” Breeland said.

“I was the one detained wit charges that really shouldn’t be charged.”

Kansas City Chiefs star Bashaud Breeland — who had an interception in Super Bowl LIV — was just busted for weed possession, open container and resisting arrest, officials confirm.

28-year-old Breeland — fresh off inking a new, $4.5 million deal to stay with the Chiefs this off-season — was booked around 1:30 PM on Tuesday in Charlotte, NC.

According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, Breeland is facing multiple charges — resisting arrest, open alcohol container in motor vehicle, alcohol in motor vehicle with seal broken, possession of 28g or less of marijuana, and driving without a license.

The South Carolina native was booked into York County Jail, where he remains in custody, according to records.

Breeland was a 4th-round pick to the Washington Redskins after 3 seasons with Clemson … playing 4 seasons in D.C. before a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers.

Breeland had a team-high 7 tackles and picked off Jimmy Garoppolo in the Super Bowl … helping Kansas City win its first Super Bowl since 1969.

We’ve reached out to the Chiefs for comment … so far, no word back.

Originally Published — 4/28 7:23 PM PT

Ben Melham has been charged with a list of betting offences while The Armchair Punter column has arrived for another week.

MELHAM CHARGED WITH BETTING OFFENCES

Top Melbourne jockey Ben Melham has been charged with placing thousands of dollars in bets on thoroughbred racing through a betting account operated by his partner. READ MORE

THE ARMCHAIR PUNTER COLUMN

Bookmakers are only obliged to bet to the Minimum Bet Limits after 9am on race mornings but is that about to change Armchair asking this week, while I’m also putting the kibosh on any thoughts a VRC St Leger winner could be a serious Melbourne Cup player. READ MORE

PURTON MAKES HK HISTORY

Australian jockey Zac Purton cemented his place as one of the Hong Kong riding greats with his win on Exultant in Sunday’s QE II Cup at Sha Tin. READ MORE

NERVOUS WAIT FOR OAKS FAVOURITE

Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan has a nervous wait ahead of him before he finds out whether pre-post favourite Affair To Remember will get a start in Saturday’s Group I Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville. READ MORE

AUSSIE HOOP ON FIRE IN JAPAN

Australian jockey Damian Lane continued his golden start to his latest Japanese stint with another winning treble in Toyko on Sunday. READ MORE

PFIEFFER EXCITED BY GROUP I CHANCE

Trainer David Pfieffer is confident Am Excited hasn’t taken a backward step this preparation as the classy mare looks to double her Group I haul in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. READ MORE

AETHERO TO AUSTRALIA?

Trainer John Moore has floated the idea of Aethero heading to Australia to continue his career after his bleeding attack in Sunday’s Group I Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. READ MORE.

RUSSIAN CAMELOT HOLDS FLEMINGTON NOM

 

Trainer Danny O’Brien has given himself the option of running South Australian Derby fancy Russian Camelot at Saturday’s Sandown meeting to make up for a missed run last week. READ MORE.

BAKER PONDERS QUEENSLAND CARNIVAL

 

Trainer Bjorn Baker hopes Hinchbeast can take the first steps towards Brisbane Winter Carnival tilt at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. READ MORE.