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NFL

Raiders LB Smith cooperating in police probe

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Aldon Smith, who missed the 2016 season as part of an NFL-mandated suspension, was mentioned in a report taken by the San Francisco Police Department for an incident that occurred over the weekend, police confirmed Monday.

Exact details of the report were not made public.

“He is cooperating with SFPD and the reporting party,” Officer Grace Gatpandan told ESPN.com. “The report was taken over the weekend and he was mentioned in the report.”

No arrests have been made.

TMZ Sports reported it was a domestic-related investigation earlier in the day.

The Raiders declined to comment to ESPN.com, though the team is forbidden from having any contact with Smith under the rules of the player’s suspension, which was handed down in November 2015 after several incidents that included arrests and a substance abuse infraction.

Raiders owner Mark Davis has taken a strong stance against cases of domestic violence, saying the team has a “zero-tolerance” policy.

“It’s just something we can’t tolerate,” Davis told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2015. “I don’t know how to fix it in society but I know we can’t have it on our team.”

Raiders Hall of Fame receiver Fred Biletnikoff lost his daughter Tracey in 1999 when an ex-boyfriend killed her, and the Raiders have been supporters of Biletnikoff’s mission to provide a home for women in need. Davis presented Biletnikoff with a check for $50,000 in 2015.

Smith applied for reinstatement this fall but the league tabled discussion to this offseason. The NFL Network reported Smith could be reinstated in March, so long as he stays out of trouble.

“I’m back,” Smith said last week on Instagram Live. “And there’s nobody who can stop me.”

Answering questions from viewers, Smith said, “You already know it. Raider Nation, we got this (stuff).”

Should Aldon Smith gain reinstatement, he could join the Raiders and reigning NFL defensive player of the year Khalil Mack for the start of their offseason program in April. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Should Smith gain reinstatement, he would be able to join the Raiders and reigning NFL defensive player of the year Khalil Mack for the start of their offseason program, which is scheduled to begin on April 17. Rookie minicamp is scheduled for May 5-7 with OTAs on May 23-25, May 30-June 1 and June 5-June 8. Mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 13-15.

Smith, the No. 7 overall pick of the 2011 draft by the San Francisco 49ers, has 47.5 sacks in 59 career games. He was released by the Niners in August of 2015 after his .

The 49ers released Smith, the No. 7 overall pick of the 2011 draft, in August 2015 after an arrest — his fifth since 2011 with his third involving DUI — and he signed with the Raiders. This latest suspension was handed down after nine games of the 2015 season.

A video of a man purportedly holding a blunt on a Periscope video account belonging to Smith showed up last offseason, though Smith initially denied it was him.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said he was “a little disappointed” late this past season after the league declined to reinstate Smith.

“Obviously, it’s not my job to make a rule, but from everything I’ve gathered, he’s done his duty to take care of all the things he needs to take care of,” Del Rio said.

“I see some of the guys that have been allowed back. My question is what’s the difference? It’s always a question mark. If a guy has a chance, he should have a chance to make a living.

“I don’t really agree with what’s gone down, but it’s not my job. We’ll move on as a team. That’s what we have to do, but I’m a little disappointed.”

Soccer

Which Round of 16 matchup should you be most excited about?

Champions League knockout-phase action kicks off Tuesday, and with it, a slew of matchups that could go either way courtesy of the ever-looming influence of form.

Top-flight heavyweights accustomed to straightforward progression to the next stage are mired by uncharacteristic displays of late which is likely to result in an exciting eight-pack of clashes.

Here’s a look at the first round of knockout matches ranked by their potential for all things appealing:

Manchester City vs. Monaco

What to look for: Goal-friendly Monaco has bagged three or more tallies in five of its last eight in all comps and lead Europe’s top five leagues with 100+ goals courtesy of a dynamic young attack and a reborn Radamel Falcao. Manchester City also boasts a healthy front four led by Kevin De Bruyne, wingers Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, and nifty newcomer Gabriel Jesus, though there are concerns at the back with a stiff backline and a worrisome Claudio Bravo.

Excitement factor: 10 (out of 10)

Prediction: Monaco (5-4) on aggregate

Real Madrid vs. Napoli

What to look for: Fans of nil-nil draws, turn away. Those not in tune with Serie A this season may give a massive advantage to Real Madrid in its clash with Napoli. That would be a daft assumption considering the form of league-leading scorer Dries Mertens, and his front-three mates Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne and supportive midfielder Marek Hamsik. Kalidou Koulibaly has also helped secure a once-porous backline.

Excitement factor: 9

Prediction: Napoli (5-4)

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal

What to look for: A matchup as familiar as any, both Bayern Munich and Arsenal enter this last-16 tilt shadows of their potential, making the impulsive selection of the Bavarian giant a hesitant one. Cup specialist coach Claudio Ancelotti is no stranger to continental success, having won the Champions League on three occasions with two clubs, though Bayern’s league efforts have been nothing short of troubling. That said, Arsenal is Arsenal.

Excitement factor: 8.5

Prediction: Bayern Munich (3-3, with penalties at the Emirates)

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona

What to look for: Like Bayern, Barcelona hasn’t appeared its unbeatable self this season, though four victories and a draw in its last five by a 19-1 margin is reason enough to believe Luis Enrique and Co. can advance to the last eight for the 10th time on the trot. Likewise, Paris Saint-Germain has paired four wins and a draw over the same term, outscoring its opponents 13-4, and Edinson Cavani has been at his best with 25 goals in 23 matches. Hard to fathom La Blaugrana not taking this tilt, though a fit-again midfield pair of Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot could have something to say for it.

Excitement factor: 8

Prediction: Barcelona (4-3)

Sevilla vs. Leicester City

What to look for: Perennial Europa League giant Sevilla is looking to carve its place in the continent’s top-tier competition, and considering Leicester City’s league form, there’s no reason to think Jorge Sampaoli’s lot can’t notch a last-eight spot. As common as the other 14 sides in the knockout stage are, this clash pits two sides oblivious to this level. Sevilla will know that bouncing the Foxes will see it avoid a fellow La Liga side until at least the semis. Cinderella’s slippers may very well fit the Andalusians. That said, writing off Leicester has proved a calamitous task before.

Excitement factor: 7.5

Prediction: Sevilla (3-1)

Benfica vs. Borussia Dortmund

What to look for: Despite the widespread plaudits directed at Thomas Tuchel’s burgeoning Borussia Dortmund, the North Rhine-Westphalians have flirted with defeat and disaster all season. Champions League is rarely the platform for inexperienced players, and Benfica boasts a potent attack led by Kostas Mitroglou and Pizzi paired with a solid backline featuring highly coveted Swede Victor Lindelof.

Excitement factor: 7

Prediction: Benfica (3-2)

Porto vs. Juventus

What to look for: Should Max Allegri opt for cement-footed Stephan Lichtsteiner over not fully fit Dani Alves at right-back in the gaffer’s new 4-2-3-1 formation, Porto winger Yacine Brahimi could have a field day on the left flank with the stagnant Swiss international. The Portuguese giant is also one of the tournament’s most proficient dead-ball sides, though it’s hard to imagine Nuno Santo’s stingy defence denying the Old Lady’s three-headed monster of Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, and Mario Mandzukic over two legs.

Excitement factor: 6

Prediction: Juventus (3-1)

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid

What to look for: With both Diego Simeone and Antoine Griezmann eyeing their next gigs, Atletico Madrid is a fraction of the side that has lost in two of the last three Champions League finals. If Los Rojiblancos have been disappointing, Roger Schmidt’s Bayer Leverkusen has been drab. Considering these two sides have combined for a scant 57 goals scored 41 top-flight tilts, expect two low-scoring affairs where Atletico has the edge at the Vicente Calderon.

Excitement factor: 1

Prediction: Atletico (1-0)

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

NFL

Patriots' winning TD ball never missing, after all

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots running back James White said he forgot to keep the football that he scored the game-winning touchdown with in Super Bowl LI, but luckily for him, an equipment assistant scooped it up, according to a team spokesman.

The Patriots are now displaying the football at their Hall of Fame.

Now on display: The game winning ball from the #Patriots record breaking comeback to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. pic.twitter.com/6EVXfXoyli

— The Hall (@TheHall) February 13, 2017

On ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike show the day after Super Bowl LI, White said he forgot to keep the football. In a separate interview on “The Dan Patrick Show” the following day, White said he was hopeful that an equipment manager picked it up.

White’s remarks came in the wake of uncertainty over the whereabouts of quarterback Tom Brady’s game jersey, which led some to assume that perhaps the football was also missing.

“I wasn’t thinking in that moment,” White said. “I was too busy sprinting down the field.”

  • Just two days after winning Super Bowl LI for their fifth championship, the Patriots are looking ahead to next season by filing to trademark the phrase “Blitz for Six.”

But a team spokesman explained that an equipment assistant retrieved the football at the time of the touchdown, as would be normal protocol.

The football could ultimately be given to White as a keepsake, but for now it is being shared with the team’s fans.

Brady’s jersey still has yet to be found.

“It’s very sad to me that someone would do something like this,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Fox Business Network on Monday of Brady’s jersey. “It’s like taking a great Chagall or Picasso or something. You can never display it. And somehow, I feel there’ll be some news that’ll clear this up in the not-too-distant future.”

Soccer

Real Madrid gets Ronaldo injury scare ahead of Napoli clash

Agence France-Presse

10h ago

Reuters

Madrid – Cristiano Ronaldo trained apart from the team on Monday just two days ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 home leg against Napoli.

The Portuguese goal machine, with a record 96 Champions League strikes to his name, suffered a heavy tackle during a 3-1 win over Osasuna at the weekend.

And, as the rest of the Real Madrid squad trained on ball skills Monday, Real website reported that “Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao trained inside the facilities.”

Ronaldo suffered a knock to his right leg, according to press reports, adding that he was expected to shake off the injury in time to play Wednesday.

On a happier note for the 10-time European champions, Welsh forward Gareth Bale took full part in training Monday, looking fresh, sharp, and upbeat after three months out with a heel injury.

Bale will take no part in Wednesday’s game but could be back in the starting lineup for the Feb. 22 return leg in Naples.

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“If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven't worked a day in my life.”
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