An offseason of being on the wrong side of the headlines continues for Iowa football.

Amidst allegations that he directly contributed to “racial disparities in the Iowa football program,” Chris Doyle and Iowa parted ways earlier this month.  Monday, former Iowa running back Akrum Wadley added to the negativity surrounding the football program with a lengthy statement that made the rounds on Facebook.

In the social-media missive, Wadley, who played for the Hawkeyes from 2014-17, described his time as an Iowa football player as “a living nightmare.” He went on to state that “I wish I never played for the Iowa Hawkeyes.”

Wadley also accused offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, of directing racially-charged remarks at him.

During the winter, the Iowa coaches handed out black wool NIKE hats to all the players. When we finished practice while leaving the field I liked to put my hat on immediately because it was cold and when sweating I didn’t want to get sick. One time when I was jogging to the facility, Coach Brian Ferentz says, ‘Hey Akrum, are you going to rob a gas station?’ I was so upset, but ignored him and kept going. This happened a couple more times in the same situation. The only difference is he said, ‘Akrum are you going to rob a liquor store?’ Those other times I just looked back at him and shook my head because I knew responding to him would result in some type of unfair punishment.

Wadley further claimed that Kirk Ferentz threatened to take away his meal card, alleging that he was forced to call his mother in New Jersey to order Dominos Pizza after the card was declined.  He also alleged that he “would have to go to a fan’s house earlier at night to eat.” Additionally, Wadley claimed he started drinking in college to help cope with the issues.

“My time at Iowa has done things to me that I am not going to discuss because knowing how these people treated me and other black athletes. I am done giving them power over me,” Wadley wrote. “My hope is my story and those of my teammates save others from the experiences, truths and mistake of playing under and for a coaching staff at Iowa that did and said nothing to stop the bullying and racism from happening to us under Chris Doyle, Brian Ferentz and Kirk Ferentz.”

As of yet, no one connected to the Iowa football program has publicly responded to Wadley’s allegations.

Joe Judge was an unknown commodity when the Giants hired him, and still is in some ways. He had never been a head coach before, so how did he convince Giants ownership to pick him as Pat Shurmur’s replacement?

Talk to anyone who knows Judge — friends, coaches, players — and their answer starts with the same point.

The key phrases: Attention to detail. Detail-oriented. Over-prepared.

That’s Joe, they said.

So, for anyone wondering why Judge and the Giants haven’t decided what to do with their two players arrested recently, start there.

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Cornerback DeAndre Baker was arrested last month in Florida and charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Kicker Aldrick Rosas was arrested in California earlier this week and was booked for a misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license.

Both remain on the roster.

Will they still be here when training camp starts at the end of July? Or for the season-opener against the Steelers on Sept. 14?

That’s a decision that won’t be coming just yet. Judge and the Giants still have work to do before any decisions are made. That’s what he’s doing — finding out all of the details before deciding what to do with these two players, both projected to be starters this season.

“The only thing I’m going to say about DeAndre at this point is he’s currently on our roster and I’m not gonna comment on any ongoing legal investigation or legal situation,” Judge told NJ Advance Media’s Matt Lombardo on Monday, before Rosas’ arrest came to light. “That’s going to be my standard answer for anyone in a similar situation.”

The details in the collision report from the scene of Rosas’ alleged hit-and-run don’t paint a pretty picture. Per the California Highway Patrol report, Rosas was driving erratically at 100 miles per hour when he sailed through a red light and T-boned a pickup truck. He attempted to flee the scene, per the report, when his car broke down, then he left on foot. Responding officers found him barefoot and bloody on his hands, leg and feet.

Alcohol impairment, per the report, was believed to be a “factor” in the incident.

The Giants have been in contact with authorities about Rosas’ alleged incident and are gathering all available information before making any decision, a person familiar with the team’s thinking told NJ Advance Media.

Rosas, 25, was arrested for a DUI in California in 2016, though that was before his NFL career had started. He’s due to make north of $3 million this season and the Giants wouldn’t lose any money by releasing him.

With the 22-year-old Baker, in the days after the troubling affidavit for his arrest was announced on May 14 — which involved him allegedly robbing multiple people at gunpoint of thousands of dollars and multiple expensive watches — other information came to light that cast doubt on some aspects of the case. Lawyers for both Baker and Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, also charged, presented signed affidavits from alleged witnesses to the bail hearing judge. It worked, as Baker was released on a $200,000 bond.

Since, his legal team has publicly (and repeatedly) defended his innocence.

“This criminal case is going to eventually be dismissed,” Patrick Patel, a Jersey City-based attorney and Baker’s attorney on NFL matters, said last month.

That seems less likely the more time that passes, as it’s been more than 30 days since Baker was released from jail on May 17.

Baker’s lawyers had a motion approved to allow him to return to New Jersey for work-related purposes. That includes training camp, scheduled for the end of July.

After the arrest, the Giants told Baker to stay away from the team’s virtual meetings on Zoom — he had reportedly missed some meetings prior to the arrest — to focus on his legal situation.

The Giants finished team meetings for non-rookies last week.

In the meantime, Baker has been working out most mornings with a trainer in Miami.

“He’s handling it outstanding,” Patel told NJ Advance Media in May. “He wants to be Ray Lewis, not Ray Rice. That’s the key to this kid’s future. Asking for forgiveness and asking for an opportunity to prove himself. This is the first time he’s ever really done anything. He’s never been in trouble before, he has no history of anything like this.

“This kid is not the typical troubled person,” Patel continued. “I’ve seen a complete change in his attitude, facial expressions, exposure. The kid is scared straight as far as I’m concerned.”

Baker was drafted in the first round last year out of Georgia — before Judge was hired — and came into the league with questions about his maturity. Various reports, including from NJ Advance Media, about his first year indicated he struggled to pay attention in team meetings, and at one point even publicly admitted to his struggle for grasping the team’s playbook.

That ultimately might not factor into Judge’s decision.

When he arrived, Judge emphasized that everybody on the roster was starting with a clean slate. That includes Baker, though his arrest is a separate issue.

Judge spoke about discipline at his introductory press conference in January.

“I would say when we spoke about discipline on the team, that’s something very important to me,” Judge said. “I think you need to have the fundamental foundation of discipline on your team, that you hold players accountable …

“It’s a family business for our ownership and it’s a family business for myself. My children have all been born in this business. Knowing that your passion is football, that your desire to win is what you truly love and that benefits your family and you’re representing something bigger than yourself.‘’

How will the Giants hold Baker and Rosas accountable for their (alleged) actions?

That remains to be seen, especially as the legal process plays out for both players. Rosas’ court date is scheduled for early September. Baker’s situation is still being considered by Broward County (Fla.) prosecutors.

This ultimately will be the first time Judge will have to … be the judge. It’s an important decision for the culture he’s trying to establish, and one he’s not taking lightly.

“He’s kind of a no-nonsense person when he handles players,” Ellis Johnson, one of Judge’s coaching mentors, told NJ Advance Media in January. “He ain’t going to put up with a bunch of bull crap.”

Looking at how the Patriots did things in Judge’s eight years on Bill Belichick’s staff, perhaps that can provide a clue as to how he’ll approach this Giants situation. In that time, seven players were arrested, the first being Aaron Hernandez in 2013.

Of the other six players, three were released shortly after their arrests: Brandon Spikes (hit-and-run), J.J. Worton (assault) and Montee Ball (domestic violence).

The three others stuck around: Alfonzo Dennard (DUI, charge dropped), Duron Harmon (drugs) and Patrick Chung, who was indicted for a felony cocaine possession last year.

At minimum, both Baker and Rosas could be subjected to punishment by the NFL for violating of the league’s code of conduct policy.

Whether that will occur with either player still on the Giants roster remains to be seen, as Judge is takes his time to, well, judge.

“It’s important,” Judge said in January, “to have good people in your locker room.”

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Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zrosenblatt@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

SuperSport United striker Thamsanqa Gabuza could face a salary deduction for not obeying lockdown rules after he was arrested for alleged speeding.

The former Orlando Pirates is understood to be the professional soccer player police arrested over the weekend for clocking 213km/h on the N1 highway near Sandton.

READ: SuperSport star out on bail after arrest

Gabuza will appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in July to face charges of speeding and reckless driving.

SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews says the club is dealing with the matter internally.

“I can’t comment on this for now other than to say we are dealing with the matter internally and the player faces a disciplinary process post 1 June at Level 3 lockdown,” Matthews tells KickOff.com.

“We regard this alleged violation in a very serious light. All our players were guaranteed their salaries on two priority conditions; that they obey the lockdown restrictions, and that they post their daily fitness, football or social media uploads as requested.

NEWS: Date and venues proposed for PSL return

“The player will be given an opportunity to present his case and the merits of the case will guide the process. Please understand our position. This is a serious matter and I cannot comment further to you or anyone else. Trust you understand.”

According to Sowetan and Isolezwe, Gabuza’s former teammate Ntsikelelo Nyauza as well as actor Sphamandla Dludlu and musician Queen Lolly were part of the travelling party.

“A case of reckless driving and speeding was opened by police against the football star and the rest were charged for contravening the lockdown rules,” Sowetan quotes provincial police spokesperson Capt Mavela Masondo as saying.

READ: Pirates legend diagnosed with dementia

LOS ANGELES • The first inquiry arrived at the National Basketball Association (NBA) Players Association just seconds after commissioner Adam Silver suspended the regular season on March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

One player, then another, and then a whole lot more, all wanted to know the same thing: How much was this going to cost them?

“Players aren’t stupid,” Michele Roberts, the union’s executive director, said in a phone interview. “Guys wanted a ballpark.”

The union was able to give a rough answer for its 450-plus members, based on how much they would lose per game.

But these days, there are more questions than answers.

The players want to know what-if this, what-if that. What if, they ask, Covid-19 wipes out the rest of the season, including the play-offs?

A “more than a significant” amount of the league’s annual revenue is generated during the postseason. A dip in revenue directly affects the players because it is how the salary cap – a team’s spending limit – is calculated.

The more money the NBA makes, the more its teams can spend on players.

But with the contagion coming on the heels of a tweet-related flap with China, which cost the league hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue as games were blacked out, it has been a double-whammy.

When it comes to basketball-related income, it has been “a season from hell”, according to Roberts.

The NBA does not have answers either, as it all depends on how long it takes for the virus threat to subside. As of yesterday, the United States had close to 27,000 Covid-19 cases and 348 deaths.

The league plans to pay full salaries to players as scheduled on April 1, but could begin cutting wages to recover money from cancelled games by April 15, ESPN reported on Saturday night.

Citing an NBA memo shared with franchises a day earlier, the sport network’s website said the league might soon begin recovering salary based on a “force majeure” clause in its collective bargaining agreement with players, but will inform teams about its plans before the April 15 payment date.

That is the day the league’s regular season was set to end before being derailed by the outbreak.

Under terms of the NBA-union deal, the league can withhold a percentage of a player’s salary for a catastrophic situation that forces games to be cancelled, including a pandemic.

That money could be held back under the disaster clause in the short term and be used to pay players later should the games eventually be contested.

NBA owners are preparing for major financial losses if the campaign does not resume and have reportedly been seeking arena dates into August in hopes of bringing the term to some sort of conclusion.

For their part, league officials are modelling a number of possibilities.

Among them, the doomsday scenario of an obliterated regular season and play-offs; staging the remaining regular-season and play-off games without fans; and a full rebound, with post-season games in front of a sell-out crowd.

“I’m realistic about the prospects of the regular season,” Roberts said. “But we should not lose all hope about having some modicum of play-offs.”

The league’s labour deal, however, means owners do not have to pay players for games nixed because of Covid-19.

“We’re anxiously awaiting the league’s estimates,” Roberts added. “The doomsday scenario is not a happy one.”

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BLOOMBERG

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Kameron Kelly has been kicked off of the Steelers team after allegedly threatening an employee, arguing with officers and resisting arrest.

Kelly is now facing charges after he was kicked out of a South Side bar.

According to court paperwork, the 23-year-old is facing two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and one count of resisting arrest for an incident that happened early Friday.

The criminal complaint says police were called to Mario’s South Side Saloon for a man, identified as Kelly, refusing to leave. He’s accused of also threatening an employee, saying he would “knock him the (expletive) out” because the jukebox didn’t play the song he requested.

Police say they tried to explain to Kelly that he wasn’t allowed back in, but he tried to go back inside anyways.

During all this, the officer on scene reported that the foot of a woman, identified by Kelly as “his girl,” was stepped on. Kelly then allegedly became aggressive and is accused of saying, “I promise to God, I’ll (expletive) you up, boy.”

Court papers say he threatened an officer and employee of Mario’s. He is facing charges of terroristic threats and resisting arrest.

— Chris Hoffman (@NewsmanChris) December 20, 2019

As Kelly allegedly continued resisting arrest, the criminal complaint says the situation was getting out of hand. In order to “gain control,” the officer punched Kelly in the face multiple times. Kelly was then arrested.

He was treated at the hospital, where officers say he continued to be disorderly, then taken to Allegheny County Jail.

Kelly has played several games this season, which is his first with the Steelers.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.