Roethlisberger OK'd to return
Ben Roethlisberger was cleared by the NFL yesterday to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers beginning next week, although no decision has been made on the length of his suspension.
Ben Roethlisberger
was cleared by the NFL yesterday to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers beginning next week, although no decision has been made on the length of his suspension.
The quarterback was suspended without pay for six games last month by commissioner Roger Goodell after a 20-year-old college student accused him of sexual assault in Milledgeville, Ga. No charges were filed.
Roethlisberger underwent a behavioral evaluation as part of the suspension, which could be reduced to four games by Goodell, who will review the case again before the regular season.
In other NFL news:
* New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey was taken by ambulance to a hospital after suffering what was later diagnosed as a seizure. Shockey said he was "OK'' in a message posted on his Twitter account.
* Miami defensive end Phillip Merling has been arrested on a charge of aggravated battery against a pregnant woman.
Colleges
* A University of Connecticut official told the Associated Press that two assistant coaches have left the men's basketball program a day before the school plans to hold a news conference to update an NCAA investigation of potential recruiting violations.
* The late Pat Tillman and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard are among the 14 newly elected members of the College Football Hall of Fame. The newly elected coaches are Barry Alvarez and Gene Stallings.
Horse Racing
* The likely field for the Belmont Stakes on June 5 has increased to 11 with the addition to Dave in Dixie.
Philly File
* Drexel sophomore goalkeeper Mark Manos was named a third-team All-America by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Manos is the first player from Drexel since 1971 to earn third-team status.
* Temple coach Bonnie Rosen will be inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame on Oct. 30.