NFL: Cowboys sign LSU star
The Dallas Cowboys signed La'el Collins on Thursday, bringing in the former LSU offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week's NFL draft until his name came up in a police investigation.
The Dallas Cowboys signed La'el Collins on Thursday, bringing in the former LSU offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week's NFL draft until his name came up in a police investigation.
Collins, a 2014 all-Southeastern Conference lineman, has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of 29-year-old Brittney Mills. Police acknowledged days before the draft that they wanted to talk to Collins because he knew the victim, who was eight months pregnant when she was gunned down at her home in late April.
After he went undrafted, Collins met with police, who say he has answered all of their questions. Collins also submitted to a paternity test that proved he is not the father of Mills' infant son, who was born alive after the shooting but died days later.
Brady undaunted
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday night the scandal surrounding his use of deflated footballs during the NFL playoffs last season hasn't detracted in any way from his Super Bowl title.
"Absolutely not," Brady told a friendly crowd at a university in Salem, Mass., in his first public appearance since an NFL report said Brady likely knew Patriots employees were cheating.
Brady declined to discuss his thoughts about the 243-page report that said that he was at least aware two team employees were breaking rules by deflating footballs for him.
The report by investigator Ted Wells found some of his claims were implausible in explaining why balls were underinflated during the playoffs.
The superstar quarterback spoke at a Q&A session moderated by sportscaster Jim Gray during a previously scheduled, sold-out event at Salem State University. He arrived by helicopter for the talk on leadership, avoiding a long line of fans outside and media waiting for him to enter.
Ravens' Reed retires
Ed Reed came into the NFL as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, and now he's leaving as one.
The nine-time Pro Bowl safety formally announced his retirement after signing one final contract with the team that drafted him 24th overall in the 2002 draft.
"This is where it started," Reed said. "I knew this is where it was going to end, because I never intended to leave this organization once I came here."