In the Pot Sports

NFL NEWS MONDAY, JULY 2

Congratulations to Jocelyn Moore for being named as the new NFL Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. Moore will be the voice to help control the current climate surrounding the NFL’s national anthem policy. As a Georgia native and two-time graduate of the University of Florida, Jocelyn has a political background and worked for two U.S. Senators. The EVP position was formerly held by Joe Lockhart, who is now retired and spending time with his family.

Buccaneers’ QB Jameis Winston has been suspended without pay for the Buccaneers’ first three regular-season games for a violation of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

In November 2017, the NFL learned of an incident involving Winston and a shared-ride service driver that had taken place in March 2016 in Scottsdale, AZ.  The incident, which had been immediately reported by the driver to her employer and which resulted in Winston’s removal from the ride-sharing platform, was also publicly reported last November.

As part of the discipline, Winston is also required to obtain a clinical evaluation and fully cooperate in any recommended program of therapeutic intervention.  A failure either to obtain the evaluation or to cooperate with treatment will result in further discipline.  In addition, a future violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will result in more substantial discipline, including a potential ban from the NFL.

The suspension will take effect on September 1 and Winston will be eligible for a return on September 25. Participation in all of the club’s preseason activities and games is allowed.

Former Carolina Panthers owner, Jerry Richardson (shown right), is fined $2.75 million after an investigation conducted by former U.S. Attorney and SEC Chairman Mary Jo White, concluded substantial evidence into the allegations of workplace misconduct by Richardson. Commissioner Roger Goodell recently announced this decision and imposed a $2.75M fine that will be used to support the work of organizations dedicated to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.

Initial commitments have been made to the following organizations: Beauty for Ashes Ministry, Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina, Black Women’s Blueprint based in Brooklyn, New York, and Women of Color Network, Inc. based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. League staff will recommend other organizations in the coming months.

New Carolina Panthers owner, David Tepper (shown left in picture), secured his rights to takeover the franchise with a $2.2 Billion deal.