LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[July 24, 2017] (The Sports Xchange) - Convicted felon O.J. Simpson, who was granted parole by the Nevada Board of Prisons this week and is eligible for release Oct. 1, will remain on the invitation list to attend the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies.

Asked whether Simpson will be welcome after he is released from prison, Hall of Fame officials told ESPN's Jeff Legwold: "All Hall of Famers are invited to attend the annual enshrinement."

Simpson, 70, was unanimously granted parole on Thursday in Lovelock, Nev., after serving almost nine years of a 33-year sentence for his 2008 conviction on armed robbery charges.

Simpson is a Hall of Fame running back who was enshrined in 1985. He would be eligible to attend the annual enshrinement weekend once any parole restrictions related to travel are lifted.

The Hall of Fame's bylaws stipulate that only a player's on-field achievements in football are considered as the criteria for enshrinement, thus Simpson's bust remains on display in Canton, Ohio. Simpson has not attended a Hall of Fame ceremony since his enshrinement in 1985.

- - -

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will not play in the Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 3.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby also may not play in the game.

[to top of second column]

"I doubt Karlos plays," Arians told reporters. "We'll see."

In addition, Arians said linebacker Jarvis Jones has a vessel injury in his quad and is listed as day-to-day.

- - -

Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey will have his left hip examined next week and hopes to be cleared to join his teammates for the start of training camp.

Pouncey, the anchor to the Miami Dolphins offensive line since 2011, has not practiced since November, missing all but five games last season due to the hip injury.

Pouncey will get the hip examined one more time before the start of camp when the first practice begins July 27.

The 27-year-old Pouncey has suffered no setbacks with his hip rehabilitation since going on injured reserve in December and both the player and the team are "confident" the exam will yield positive findings, those familiar with the situation told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

Back to top