Florida Sentinel Bulletin

INDIANAPOLIS  — The NCAA slammed Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal Monday with an unprecedented series of penalties, including a $60 million fine and the loss of all the school’s victories from 1998-2011, knocking Joe Paterno from his spot as major college football’s winningest coach.

Other sanctions include a four-year ban on postseason games that will prevent Penn State from playing for the Big Ten title, the loss of 20 scholarships per year over four years and five years’ probation. The NCAA also said that any current or incoming football players are free to immediately transfer and compete at another school.

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the staggering sanctions at a news conference in Indianapolis.

Penn State Takes Down Famed Joe Paterno Statue

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The famed statue of Joe Paterno was taken down from outside the Penn State football stadium Sunday, eliminating a key piece of the iconography surrounding the once-sainted football coach accused of burying child sex abuse allegations against a retired assistant.

Workers lifted the 7-foot-tall statue off its base and used a forklift to move it into Beaver Stadium as the 100 to 150 students watching chanted, “We are Penn State.”

The university announced earlier Sunday that it was taking down the monument in the wake of an investigative report that found the late coach and three other top Penn State administrators concealed sex abuse claims against retired assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

ASHBURN, Va.  — Robert Griffin, III and the Washington Redskins ended their contract impasse Wednesday when the rookie quarterback signed a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $21.1 million. It also includes a club option for a fifth year.

Griffin’s agent, Ben Dogra, said that the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback agreed to terms and will be in Redskins rookie camp on Wednesday.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was charged Wednesday with driving under the influence by the district attorney’s office in Alameda County, Calif.

Teresa Drenick, director of communications for the Alameda County DA, said in an email that the decision was made to charge the Seahawks’ star running back. Lynch has a court date on Aug. 14.

But Lynch’s attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press later Wednesday that he feels the case could get thrown out or reduced because of discrepancies in blood-alcohol tests.

The Denver Broncos want to sign All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady to a long-term deal before the start of training camp, and toward that end, they offered Clady a five-year, $50 million extension, the Denver Post reported.

About $28 million of the salary would be guaranteed, according to the report, and the average annual salary of $10 million would represent a sizable raise from the $3.5 million he is scheduled to earn in 2012 in the final year of his current contract.

The $50 million deal also would make Clady one of the five highest paid offensive linemen in the NFL, based on annual salary.

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has finally met his estranged father after 42 years of separation.

Philander Rodman, Jr, who has acknowledged fathering 29 children by 16 mothers, attended his son’s exhibition game in the Philippines last week. He said he was happy and surprised that his son agreed to meet him late Wednesday.

He tried to meet the basketball ‘Hall of Famer’ during another game in Manila in 2006. “It was great,” he said of the first time he held his son’s hands since they last met in December 1969. “I’ve been trying to meet him for years.

During a break, with se-conds left to the end of the game, Dennis Rodman grabbed a microphone, acknowledged his father’s presence and pointed to him in the arena. The crowd applauded as the elder Rodman stood up wearing a red baseball cap that said “Yes, Dennis Rodman is my son.”

DALLAS  — With training camp just two weeks away, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is in trouble again.

The talented wide receiver was arrested Monday after being accused of attacking his mother during an argument, hitting her arms and face. He faces a charge of family violence, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

The Cowboys had no comment on the latest stumble by Bryant since the Cowboys drafted him out of Oklahoma State in 2010.

Bryant had spent this offseason watching film, working on his conditioning and staying out of trouble off the field. Others noticed he was in better shape and more focused.

The 23-year-old Bryant surrendered Monday after police in DeSoto, south of Dallas, issued a warrant. Police said Angela Bryant called 911 Saturday to complain her son was assaulting her. Police arrived to find her with a swollen wrist and thumb and bruising on her upper arms, police Capt. Ron Smith said. She told police she had grabbed Dez Bryan’s shirt and he forcefully knocked her arms away, Smith said. Police say he hit her on the face with a ball cap and pushed her in the chest.

Los Angeles Lakers officials continue to speak with the Orlando Magic about a possible Dwight Howard trade.

A deal did not appear imminent, but conversations between the Lakers and Magic have become more frequent in recent days, sources said. A number of obstacles need to be resolved, including the Lakers’ desire for Howard to commit to a long-term extension with them. Howard has warmed to the possibility of joining the Lakers after spending his offseason in Los Angeles, sources said, but remains apprehensive about following in the footsteps of Shaquille O’Neal, who left the Magic for Los Angeles 16 years ago.

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets signed veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse to a one-year, $1.4 million deal on Monday.

Stackhouse provided the terms after general manager Billy King announced the deal.

Stackhouse appeared in 30 games with the Hawks last season, averaging 3.6 points and 9.1 minutes. The 17-year NBA veteran did not appear in any of Atlanta’s six playoff games.

NEW ORLEANS  — Jonathan Vilma’s hearing as he attempts to delay or overturn his season-long suspension has been moved up a week to July 26.

A U.S. District Court judge in Louisiana granted Vilma’s motion Tuesday, although Vilma sought a hearing for Thursday. The Saints open training camp next Tuesday.

On Monday, Vilma’s attorneys asked Judge Helen G. Berrigan to hear their request for a temporary restraining order before the Saints’ training camp opens.

Vilma was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell for his role in the team’s bounty program. He also has sued Goodell for defamation.

Earlier Tuesday, the league filed a claim that the New Orleans linebacker did not “exhaust the dispute resolution procedures” in the collective bargaining agreement.

Vilma and the other three players suspended – Saints defensive end Will Smith, current Packers DE Anthony Hargrove and current Browns LB Scott Fujita – did not defend themselves at their appeals hearing before Goodell last month. Goodell then upheld the suspensions.