Goodell told to testify in Rice appeal

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been told to testify in Ray Rice’s appeal of his indefinite suspension, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press.

Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, the neutral arbiter selected to hear the appeal, informed the parties of her decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details haven’t been made public.

It’s uncertain whether Goodell will testify. He said this month he would leave the decision to Judge Jones.

NFL lawyers have argued that Goodell shouldn’t have to testify, and instead were offering testimony from Jeff Pash, the NFL’s general counsel, and Adolpho Birch, the NFL’s vice president for labor policy. Pash and Birch were with Goodell when he met with Rice’s side in June to talk about what happened when the former Pro Bowl running back hit his then-fiancee in an elevator.

The hearing will be held Nov. 5 and 6, two people familiar with the case told the AP on Tuesday.

Rice was suspended indefinitely Sept. 8 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after a video of the former Pro Bowl running back hitting the woman was released publicly. Goodell originally had suspended the running back for two games. Once the video became public, the Baltimore Ravens cut Rice, and the league banned him indefinitely. The players’ union appealed Rice’s suspension, saying he should not be punished twice.

Academic scandal envelopes UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — A scandal involving bogus classes and inflated grades at the University of North Carolina was bigger than previously reported, encompassing about 1,500 athletes who got easy A’s and B’s over a span of nearly two decades, according to an investigation.

At least nine university employees were fired or under disciplinary review, and the question now becomes what, if anything, the NCAA will do next. Penalties could range from fewer scholarships to vacated wins.

Most of the athletes were football players or members of the school’s basketball program that won three of its five national titles during the scandal (1993, 2005, 2009).

In all, about 3,100 students enrolled in classes they didn’t have to show up for in what was deemed a “shadow curriculum” within the former African and Afro-American Studies (AFAM) department from 1993 to 2011, the report by former U.S. Justice Department official Kenneth Wainstein found.

Georgia to request Gurley reinstatement

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia was expected to file a request with the NCAA for tailback Todd Gurley’s eligibility to be reinstated.

Gurley, the Southeastern Conference’s leading rusher, has been suspended for the last two games while Georgia investigated allegations he broke NCAA rules by receiving improper benefits.

Georgia said in the statement that it “hopes for and expects” a prompt ruling by the NCAA.

Sens, Leafs postpone game due to shooting

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The NHL postponed the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game in Ottawa because of the shootings in the capital. A Canadian soldier standing guard at a war memorial was shot to death, and gunfire then erupted inside Parliament.