Associated Press
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A person with knowledge of the punishment tells The Associated Press that two Broncos defenders have been fined a total of $42,540 — but not suspended — for helmet-to-helmet hits on Cam Newton.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL hasn’t announced the fines, said linebacker Brandon Marshall was fined $24,309 and safety Darian Stewart $18,231.
Stewart was fined for roughing the QB in the final minute of Denver’s 21-20 win. It left Newton motionless on the ground, but he wasn’t checked for a concussion until after the game.
Marshall wasn’t flagged for his hit, which the NFL deemed an “impermissible use of the helmet (including illegal launching),” according to its 2016 schedule of fines.
“My job is to win football games, not lobby for my health,” Newton said Wednesday, adding he feels “great” and he didn’t want to “dwell on” the previous game and the hits.
“Usually hits you pop back up. That was a big hit.
“I was asked on the sideline about awareness and my ability to keep going from the referee, as well as the training staff. There is no doubt that everything will work out in itself. There is no question that I took a couple of hits to the head, but I don’t think I showed any signs of being concussed. It was no wooziness … I understand I was kind of hurt, but that comes with football and it being a contact sport.”
NFL pledging $100M to research
NEW YORK — The NFL says it will spend an additional $100 million to develop new technology and support more medical research into the growing problem of head injuries.
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the “Play Smart. Play Safe” initiative in an open letter Wednesday.
He writes: “When it comes to addressing head injuries in our game, I’m not satisfied, and neither are the owners of the NFL’s 32 clubs. We can and will do better.”
Under the initiative, $60 million will be devoted toward developing technology such as improved helmets and $40 million will be allotted for medical research.
The NFL and its partners already are spending $100 million on research and new technology. Despite that, the league has been heavily criticized in its handling of head trauma over the decades. It reached a settlement that will pay about $1 billion over 65 years to more than 20,000 retired players.
Cowboys worth $4.2 billion
NEW YORK — Not only are the Dallas Cowboys the most valuable team in the NFL, they are worth more than any franchise in sports.
Forbes’ NFL valuations show the Cowboys worth $4.2 billion, easily topping the league for the 10th straight year. Next closest are the New England Patriots at $3.4 billion.
Earlier this year, Forbes cited Jerry Jones’ team as the world’s most valuable franchise.
Dallas has $700 million in revenues and $300 million in operating income.
The average NFL team is worth $2.34 billion, a 19 percent increase over last year.
That increase is primarily due to more rights fees for Thursday night games, the Rams’ relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles, the Vikings moving into their new stadium in Minneapolis and the Atlanta Falcons nearing completion of their new stadium.
Stan Kroenke’s Rams made the biggest change in value, up 100 percent.
Team values are determined by equity plus net debt and based on each team’s current stadium (with adjustments for pending new stadiums and renovations). Revenue and operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) are for the 2015 season, including any net of stadium debt service. Revenue from non-NFL events such as concerts and stadium tours, is included when such revenue goes to the team owner or owners.
The New York Giants ($3.1 billion), San Francisco 49ers ($3.0 billion) and Washington Redskins ($2.95 billion) round out Forbes’ top five.
Buffalo has the lowest team worth at $1.5 billion.
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