Well, good thing he didn’t play for the Colts, I guess.

Rob Konrad, a 38-year-old former fullback for the Miami Dolphins, swam nine miles to safety after falling off his fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

Brian Bahr /Allsport

A football-playing Dolphin must swim all night, unfortunately; WPTV reports friends noticed Konrad had not returned that evening.

After 4 a.m., Konrad called the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office when he had made it back to shore.

It is unclear if this is an actual picture of Rob Konrad mid-swim.

bbourdages/bbourdages

View Entire List ›

The United States Olympic Committee nominated the city during a meeting in Denver today.

On Thursday, the U.S. Olympic Committee decided Boston will serve as the United States' bid for a host city for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Eric Gaillard / Reuters

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

It is an exceptional honor for Boston to be chosen as the U.S.representative in the running for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This selection is in recognition of our city's talent, diversity and global leadership. Our goal is to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games that are innovative, walkable and hospitable to all. Boston hopes to welcome the world's greatest athletes to one of the world's great cities.

Via cityofboston.gov

View Entire List ›

Brandon Austin was suspended from the Providence College basketball team amid a sex assault allegation, but after being recruited to the University of Oregon, he was accused of gang rape.

A student who charges that she was gang raped at the University of Oregon has sued the school and basketball coach Dana Altman for recruiting one of the alleged perpetrators, Brandon Austin, even though he’d previously been accused of sex assault.

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

According to Oregon Live, the lawsuit was filed on Thursday in Eugene, Oregon, and claims that the University of Oregon demonstrated "'deliberate indifference' to the safety of its students by recruiting a player with a history [of sexual violence]."

The suit claims that Altman and the University of Oregon violated the student's rights under Title IX by bringing in a known alleged sexual assailant.

Title IX states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of gender, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

In 2013, Brandon Austin was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student in November of his freshman year at Providence College in Rhode Island. Prosecutors declined to press charges, but Austin and another basketball player were suspended for the duration of the season. Austin then transferred to the University of Oregon.

By March, Austin had been accused of campus sexual assault again. This time, the allegation was that Austin, along with teammates Dominic Artis and Damyean Dotson, had gang raped a female student, who filed the current lawsuit.

After the allegations were made public, the men were banned from the school for up to 10 years. Prior to that, the three athletes remained on the basketball team's active roster.

The lawsuit claims the men were given a deal from the university that allowed them to quietly leave the school without being formally expelled, and without "any reference to "sexual misconduct," per Oregon Live.

Austin now has a basketball scholarship at Northwest Florida State College. When recruited, the college released statements citing Austin's need to get "back on track" but never explicitly divulged his history of sexual assault. Basketball coach Steve DeMeo said:

"The college has decided to give this young man an opportunity to continue his education. We have the experience, support and resources to help Brandon get back on track towards graduating and help him be a successful student athlete on and off the court."

The lawsuit's plaintiff is still a student at University of Oregon.

The university would prefer not to be in litigation with any student. We have been as respectful and supportive as possible of the student, including immediately implementing support services and appropriately honoring her choice of process, once hearing of her experience.

The university disagrees with the allegations against it and believes that it acted in accordance with the law, including Title IX. This litigation in no way undermines the university's on-going commitment to support the student inside and outside of the classroom.

[...]

To be clear, UO's review of transfer applications for all students includes an evaluation of academic credentials and potential campus fit. Enrollment decisions are made based on the information made available to us by applicants and our colleagues nationally.

One of us! One of us!

On Monday, the San Antonio Spurs took a trip to the White House to celebrate their victory as the 2014 NBA Champions. The President, of course, was full of dad jokes.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP / Getty Images

The President opened his speech by simultaneously praising and dunking on his beloved Chicago Bulls.

"Look, I'll admit it: I'm a Bulls fan. It's never easy celebrating a non-Bulls team in the White House. That's all I've been able to do."

youtube.com

...and then he called the Spurs old. Sick burn, Mr. President.

youtube.com

The Spurs are hard to dislike. First of all, they are old. And for an old guy, it makes me feel good to see, you know — where is Tim? You know, Tim's got some gray. There's a few others, you know, with little sprinkles around here. There's a reason why the uniform is black and silver. So it makes me feel good to see that folks in advancing years can succeed in a young man's sport.

View Entire List ›

The Ducks are taking on the Bucks. Follow along here and at BuzzFeed Sports for live updates.

View Entire List ›

Owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s representatives told BuzzFeed News that, despite reports, “nothing was imminent” when it came to unloading the NBA franchise.

Bloomberg reports that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokorhov will sell the Brooklyn Nets. He's owned the team since 2010.

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

According to the report, the $1 billion Barclays Center — the Nets' Brooklyn home — will not be for sale.

STAN HONDA/AFP / Getty Images

As we have said for many months, ownership is always open to listening to offers – that's just good business. There is nothing imminent in terms of a sale of any stake in the team.

The Clippers, which the league demanded be sold following the release of racist remarks by then-owner Donald Sterling, went for $2 billion. Previous team sales were far less lucrative: the Milwaukee Bucks went for $550 million; Sacramento Kings for $534 million; Memphis Grizzlies for $350 million. Like the Clippers, the Nets are the team of lesser dominance in a large market.

Bloomberg reports an early estimate for the team is around $1.3 billion. He bought the team for $223 million.

Rumors of Prokhorov's interest in selling the team surfaced in late 2014.

View Entire List ›

The U.S. women’s soccer star and Olympic gold medalist had her case dropped amid accusations that witnesses against her were being uncooperative.

Hope Solo.

Greg Bartram / USA Today Sports

The U.S. Women's National Team goalie and Olympic gold medalist was arrested in June for allegedly assaulting her sister and her nephew at her home in Kirkland, Seattle.

Kirkland Police Lt. Mike Murray told BuzzFeed News at the time that officers had received a call reporting an assault and a noise disturbance.

But when they arrived, "there was a big party going on" at Solo's house.

"It was an out-of-control situation," Murray said.

Hope Solo appearing in Kirkland Municipal Court.

Mike Siegel / Seattle Times / MCT

Solo contended that she "used lawful force" in defending herself during the fight from her nephew, who is 6-foot-9 and 280 pounds, Sports Illustrated reported.

She pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic violence in late June.

But her attorneys claimed that witnesses failed to show up at meetings and changed their stories over the course of multiple interviews — a claim prosecutors denied.

On Tuesday, Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael Lambo agreed to grant Solo's request to dismiss the case based on those points, KING 5 News reported.

Solo was at a training camp and did not attend the hearing.

View Entire List ›

In a 15-page survey, jurors were asked about everything from their racial biases to their NFL affiliation.

Jury selection for the trial to determine Aaron Hernandez's involvement in the murder of Odin Lloyd began last week. In the first round of selection, potential jurors were given a 15-page questionnaire to narrow down the final jury selection.

Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

In the survey, potential jurors were asked a standard gamut of questions about their emotional and physical ability to serve on the jury, and if they had any relationship with any of the involved parties. Because of the high-profile nature of the case, potential jurors were also extensively asked about their prior knowledge of Hernandez and where that information may have came from.

Twenty-nine questions into the survey, potential jurors were asked about a range of potential biases that are very specific to the Hernandez case:

It's true that Hernandez is heavily tattooed, and while the question may seem a bit trivial, Hernandez's defense team believes it is important that all realms of potential bias are explored in the process of jury selection.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

View Entire List ›

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Josh McNary was charged with rape, criminal confinement, and battery on Wednesday.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker and special teams player Josh McNary was charged for a rape that allegedly took place on Dec. 1.

Joe Robbins / Getty Images

According to the police report, released Wednesday, McNary and the alleged victim met at a bar, but McNary grew aggressive and violent once they arrived at his apartment.

The report said the victim "turned away from [McNary] when he attempted to kiss her, and as a result, they engaged in a physical fight in which she scratched his 'neck, face, back, and shoulder.'"

According to the report, McNary then called the victim a "bitch, slut," and to "look what the fuck you did to me." The victim said in the report she tried to leave, but she was unable to, and McNary then allegedly vaginally raped her.

McNary's alleged refusal to let the victim leave his apartment falls under felony criminal confinement, which can carry a prison sentence in Indiana. The victim reported to the police that she told McNary "no" and that "she strongly believed the sexual intercourse was '100%' against her will."

Once the victim left the apartment, she called friends and contacted the police. She realized she left a few items of clothing at McNary's apartment, which police later recovered during an investigation at his home.

After securing a search warrant, a detective contacted McNary, who said, "I know why you're here." McNary had left his bedding unwashed, telling the detective he "preserved it for [him] because [he] knew he would be coming." McNary underwent a physical examination at a hospital that day.

We are aware that there has been a report about Josh McNary, but unfortunately that's the limit of our knowledge. At this time, we are very concerned and trying to find out what the relevant facts are, but we have insufficient information to venture any opinion. As we learn more, we will make appropriate updates.

The Commissioner's Exempt List is the newly reinstated purgatory for NFL players charged with a crime.

It is the same limbo in which Adrian Peterson stood until his legal issues were resolved, and where the Panthers' Greg Hardy will remain until his domestic abuse trial concludes.

While on the list, the player is neither suspended nor active for games, and collects his full salary. Under the NFL's new Personal Conduct Policy, it's the initial landing spot for players who have been charged with crimes.

The NFL can choose to suspend a player and collect game checks, as they did in the case of Adrian Peterson (he paid back six weeks of his 2014-2015 salary). Under the new policy, the NFL will allow the police investigation and any resulting trials to play out before determining discipline.

View Entire List ›

Sophomore Cardale Jones, who started the year as Ohio State’s third-string QB, will not enter the 2015 NFL Draft, despite analysts’ predictions.

Ohio State University sophomore Cardale Jones will return to school for his junior year, he announced Thursday.

Sarah Glenn / Getty Images

In the championship game, Jones squared off against Heisman winner Marcus Mariota and came out on top. With the help of breakout star running back Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State silenced the Ducks with a 42-20 win.

Most analysts assumed Jones would enter the 2015 NFL Draft. In his news conference, he told media he humorously announced, "I don't know why you guys made this such a big deal."

Jones will have the opportunity to develop his skills further under renowned coach Urban Meyer.

During the press conference, he said he did consider entering the NFL Draft, but felt it was important to think long-term about his potential career in the NFL.

A lawsuit claiming the NCAA acted beyond its authority was settled on Friday. With 111 wins restored in his name, Joe Paterno is once again the winningest college football coach in history.

On Friday, Pennsylvania State Sen. Jake Corman announced that a lawsuit against the NCAA had been settled, restoring 112 Penn State football wins, 111 of them under longtime head coach Joe Paterno, immediately.

In 2012, Penn State and the NCAA agreed on a set of sanctions under a consent decree. That decree has now been rendered invalidated and the new deal with the parties will include the following:

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

• Penn State agrees to commit a total of $60 million to activities and programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the treatment of victims of child sexual abuse.

• Penn State acknowledges the NCAA's legitimate and good faith interest and concern regarding the Jerry Sandusky matter.

• Penn State and the NCAA will enter into a new Athletics Integrity Agreement that (with concurrence of the Big Ten) includes best practices with which the university is committed to comply and that provides for the university to continue to retain the services of Sen. George Mitchell and his firm to support the university's activities under the Athletics Integrity Agreement and in the areas of compliance, ethics and integrity.

The NCAA has said that in 2012, at the time when sanctions against Penn State were being weighed by the Division I, the school was told that they could accept the fine, vacated wins, and loss of bowl eligibility for four (later reduced to two) seasons, or face the "death penalty." The NCAA death penalty is the league's harshest sanction, in which a school is disallowed entirely from running a program for the offending sport.

As a result of the alleged threat of the death penalty, Penn State accepted the lesser sanctions. A consent decree of the findings and agreed upon sanctions was published, but Corman and McCord called into question the validity of that decree.

Now, under this settlement, Penn State's 112 wins under Joe Paterno will be restored, making him once again the winningest college football coach in history. Paterno passed away in 2012.

The lawsuit was set to go to trial next month. With this early resolution, the $60 million that will go to programs to help prevent and support child sexual abuse will not be tied up during litigation.

The former Mizzou defensive end proposed to his longtime boyfriend at the Vatican.

Michael Sam announced his engagement to longtime boyfriend Vito Cammisano, which he says took place in early January while they were vacationing in Italy.

instagram.com

Rumors of their engagement had swirled earlier this month, but this is the first public confirmation of their impending marriage. When contacted earlier this month by BuzzFeed News, Sam's father, Sam Sr., said his son hadn't delivered the news.

instagram.com

View Entire List ›

It’s all in a day’s work for Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

Help the New England Patriots go to the Super Bowl? Rescue a woman from a car crash? It’s all in a day’s work for Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

Jim Rogash / Via Getty Images

According to a police news release, officers responded to the scene of a rollover crash involving a 2015 Jeep Wrangler early Monday, and were surprised to find the football star was already at the scene.

The driver of the Jeep, 38-year-old Mary Ellen Brooks, was trapped inside, according to police.

A trooper was able to hold the door of the Jeep open, and Wilfork reached in and pulled the woman out with one hand.

Brooks was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

The police said Wilfork left after making sure he could not offer any more help.

Massachusetts State Police / Via mspnews.org

Just an average weekend!

http://SBNation.com / Via assets.sbnation.com

View Entire List ›

Woods’ tooth got knocked out in a freak camera accident, his agent said.

Tiger Woods travelled to Italy on Monday to watch his girlfriend, skier Lindsey Vonn, win her record-setting 63rd World Cup Title.

Elvis Piazzi / Via AP

But everyone quickly noticed Woods had a rather strange getup going on.

Yep, that’s a skeleton mask.

Stringer / Via Reuters

However, it was only after Woods took the mask off that something truly scary was revealed.....

WHERE IS HIS FRONT TOOTH?

Armando Trovati / Via AP

Ummmmm.....

Armando Trovati / Via AP

View Entire List ›

Shanice Clark, a senior at California University of Pennsylvania, died early Sunday morning.

A college basketball player who was found dead in her Pennsylvania apartment over the weekend apparently choked on gum while she was sleeping, The Observer-Reporter reported Tuesday.

Shanice Clark, a senior at California University of Pennsylvania, died early Sunday morning.

California University of Pennsylvania / Via calvulcans.com

California Borough police told The Observer-Reporter that a preliminary report on Clarke’s death indicated she had choked to death on gum in her sleep.

They said it appeared her death was accidental.

The Washington County Coroner’s Office said the coroner needs to complete an autopsy before determining Clarke’s cause of death, according to the newspaper.

Neither agency returned requests for comment from BuzzFeed News.

California University of Pennsylvania / Via calvulcans.com

The university said in a statement that the school and its athletic department were “deeply saddened” by Clarke’s death.

“Shanice was a bright student and talented player. Her smile and personality will be missed,” the statement said.

Clarke was a redshirt forward who transferred to the school after playing two years at Sante Fe College in Florida.

The 21-year-old was originally from Toronto, Ontario, and was majoring in communication studies.

California University of Pennsylvania / Via calvulcans.com

An investigation has found the New England Patriots used 11 underinflated footballs in their AFC Championship victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (52) and New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

AP Photo / Matt Slocum

The letter, which was shared with the Boston Globe on Tuesday, said the League had found 11 footballs were underinflated during the game against the Indianapolis Colts, who were beaten 45-7. The balls were each under-inflated by 2 pounds per square inch of air, according to ESPN.

The NFL's Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Aiello told ESPN.com that they are not commenting at this time.

Official game balls for the NFL football Super Bowl XLIX sit in a bin before being laced and inflated in Ada, Ohio, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015.

AP Photo / Rick Osentoski

Newsday reported the under-inflated balls were likely noticed after an interception by Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson late in the second quarter of Sunday's game.

Jackson then reportedly told the team's equipment staff that he suspected the ball was underinflated.

The general manager of the Colts, Ryan Grigson, was told about the ball, who contacted Mike Kensil, NFL's director of football operations, who then told game officials during halftime.

The NFL's rules state that a football must be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces because an underinflated could be easier to grip and catch, according to ESPN.

During bad weather, like Sunday's rainy game, the ball may also be easier for a quarterback to grip, the Boston Globe reported.

If the weight of the football is knowingly underinflated, the NFL's operations manual states that the team or person responsible will be subject to punishment, including, but not limited to, a $25,000 fine.

View Entire List ›

Everyone knows you can’t be that good without cheating. Except for the Yankees. And MJ. And the Spurs. And Kobe. And Joe Montana. And the Montreal Canadiens. And Michael Phelps.

They pretended Julian Edelman was a wide receiver for 6 seasons.

I'm sorry, but it's pretty deceptive to act like he was a wide receiver for that long just so that you could win a playoff game. He's clearly the second best QB in the AFC East.

Via youtube.com

Brady's first playoff game was in a blizzard.

Um, you think Bill Belichick didn't plan that? Yeah right. It's so much harder for another team to play in a blizzard and he knew that.

Via http://giphy.com

Somehow Rob Gronkowski is their tight end.

By "Rob Gronkowski" I mean "an illegal football robot" and by "somehow" I mean "they created in a lab." It's so obvious.

Via http://giphy.com

They beat Peyton Manning so much that he can't play football anymore.

So Brady's biggest rival lost miserably in his playoff game because his "body is falling apart" and his "neck is pieced back together?" I don't buy it. That has Belichick written all over it.

Via giphy.com

View Entire List ›

The former NFL star is charged with the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. The trial begins Thursday.

Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

Lloyd's body was found in an industrial park in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, on June 13, 2013. Hernandez was arrested on June 26 and was immediately cut from the Patriots. He has has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Pool / Reuters

Odin Lloyd:

• 27 years old at his time of death
• Was dating Aaron Hernandez's girlfriend's sister
• Played semipro football with the Boston Bandits

Aaron Hernandez:

• NFL tight end with the New England Patriots at the time of arrest
• Age 23 at time of his arrest; age 25 at start of his trial.
• Lived in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, with his girlfriend and daughter
• Facing upcoming trial for charges that he was involved in a double homicide — unrelated to the Odin case — that took place in Boston in 2012. (Jurors in the Lloyd trial will not hear information related to the double homicide.)

Shayanna Jenkins:

• Aaron Hernandez's girlfriend at the time of Lloyd's murder; now his fianceé
• Still lives in Hernandez's mansion in North Attleborough with their 2-year-old daughter
• Sister of Shaneah Jenkins, Lloyd's girlfriend
• Charged with perjury for lying during questioning, which prosecutors might drop as part of an immunity deal if she testifies against Hernandez; the deal has been offered, but Jenkins has yet to accept
• Allegedly disposed of the .45-caliber Glock used to kill Odin Lloyd; prosecutors have presented a coded text message from Hernandez to Jenkins

Shaneah Jenkins:

• Sister of Shayanna Jenkins
• Was in a long-distance relationship with Odin Lloyd at his time of death

Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace:

• Were seen with Hernandez at his home, at Lloyd's home, and near the entrance to the scene of the crime the night of Lloyd's murder
• Also arrested and indicted for involvement in the homicide

View Entire List ›

One former tennis star says discussing menstruation is “the last taboo in women’s sports.”

British tennis star Heather Watson is being praised for discussing how her period impacted her Australian Open performance, with one former tennis player calling it “the last taboo in women’s sports.”

Clive Brunskill / Via Getty Images

Watson, 22, later said that she was suffering from side effects of her period, and she was going to consult with a doctor to prevent this from affecting her play in the future.

"I think it's just one of these things that I have, girl things," she told the BBC. "It just happens."

Watson's remarks drew immediate praise from some in the women's tennis community, who said the effect of periods on a female athlete's performance is a common problem that is rarely discussed.

Annabel Croft, a former British tennis champion, called the topic the "last taboo in female sports."

"Women dealing with these issues at any time is hard enough, but actually trying to go out there and play high-level sport... it's just really unlucky," Croft told the BBC's Radio 5.

Tara Moore, another British tennis player, told The Telegraph that she also struggles with balancing her menstrual cycle and her professional career, saying she mostly just hopes her tournaments don't line up with it.

Moore said she has nightmares about bleeding through her uniform during Wimbledon, where all players must wear white.

"If something like that happens it's mortifying — it's a nightmare," she said.

BuzzFeed News has reached out to the United States Tennis Association for comment on this issue.

Brandon Browner hilariously defended his team’s monstrous, controversial win over the Colts.

Teams provide 12 footballs bearing their logo that are tested two hours prior to kickoff. The first underinflated ball was noticed when Patriots QB Tom Brady threw a pass that was intercepted by a Colts defender, who then told an official that the ball felt underinflated.

Getty Images / Jim Rogash

View Entire List ›