In brief

Enlarge Image

Jonathan Vilma (CP)

Sworn testimony on NFL bounty

NEW YORK -- The NFL presented Jonathan Vilma and his attorney with a sworn statement from former Saints defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams saying the linebacker placed a $10,000 bounty on Brett Favre.

Vilma met with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday in New York about his suspension, which has been temporarily lifted. Attorney Peter Ginsberg said they were given an affidavit at the meeting.

"What Gregg Williams said in his most recent affidavit is the same falsity he has previously provided," Ginsberg said.

"I don't know what Gregg Williams' motives are, but I do know that any suggestion by Williams that Jonathan put up $10,000 as an incentive for his teammates to injure another player is absolutely false."

Vilma tweeted on Monday night that Williams was "bullied to sign the affidavit," saying Williams signed it on Friday.

Williams is now with St. Louis, though he has been suspended indefinitely.

White on drunken rampage

NASHVILLE -- Two-time Olympic gold medallist snowboarder Shaun White faces charges of public intoxication and vandalism, accused of drunkenly destroying a phone at a Nashville hotel and ending up in the hospital after he hit his head.

Officers responded to the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel at 2 a.m. Sunday after a drunken man identified as the 26-year-old White pulled a fire alarm, forcing the hotel to evacuate all guests. An employee also reported seeing White destroy a hotel phone.

White tried to leave the hotel in a cab before being stopped by a hotel guest who told the driver police had been called. According to police, White kicked at the man before running away. The man chased him and they collided when White turned around. White, who is also one of the world's top skateboarders, fell back and hit his head against a fence, police said.

Escobar reportedly wore slur

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays say they're looking into reports that shortstop Yunel Escobar played Saturday's game against Boston with a homophobic slur written in Spanish under his eyes.

Several pictures posted online show Escobar with the message written in his eye-black, a type of sticker players wear under their eyes to reduce the sun's glare.

The words under the 29-year-old Cuban's eyes were "TU ERE MARICON" which can be translated as "You are a faggot."

The Blue Jays said Escobar, general manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager John Farrell and coach Luis Rivera would speak with media in New York on Tuesday.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney also confirmed the commissioner's office is looking into the reports.

Sandusky sentencing Oct. 9

BELLEFONTE, Pa. -- A judge announced Monday he will sentence Jerry Sandusky on Oct. 9, nearly four months after the retired assistant football coach was convicted in the child molestation scandal that brought shame to Penn State.

Sandusky was convicted in June of 45 counts of sex abuse involving 10 boys. Prosecutors said some of the assaults took place on the Penn State campus.

Given his age and the serious nature of the crimes of which he was convicted, Sandusky is likely to receive a sentence that will keep the 68-year-old in prison for life.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 18, 2012 C4