NFL suspends Ravens' Rice two games

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received a two-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday following his offseason arrest for domestic violence.

Rice will miss the season opener against AFC North champion Cincinnati on Sept. 7 and the Sept. 11 game on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The six-year veteran was arrested following a Feb. 15 altercation in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in which he allegedly struck then-fiancee Janay Palmer. The 27-year-old Rice has been accepted into a diversion program, which upon completion could lead to the charges being expunged.

Rice met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last month after joining the diversion program. Goodell ultimately decided to suspend the running back for two games without pay and fine him an additional game check "for conduct detrimental to the NFL in violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy."

Despite the court's decision not to impose criminal punishment, "the commissioner determined, as he advised Rice, that the conduct was incompatible with NFL policies and warranted disciplinary action."

Two Longhorn players cited

in alleged dorm-room rape

AUSTIN, Texas -- Two University of Texas football players were arrested and charged Thursday with felony sexual assault after a female student said she was raped in a campus dorm room last month.

Wide receivers Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander were later released on personal-recognizance bonds. According to an arrest affidavit, Sanders and Meander texted each other during earlier interviews with police to "get their story straight" and Sanders also faces a charge of improper photography tied to the alleged assault on June 21.

The arrests created the first program crisis for first-year Longhorn coach Charlie Strong, who will welcome his team to preseason training camp in two weeks.

Strong, who enjoyed a warm reception at the Big 12 media days earlier this week and spent several weeks last spring touring the state to build fan support, immediately suspended both players.

The sexual-assault charges carry prison terms of two to 20 years.

Blue Grass winner

Dance With Fate dies

DEL MAR, Calif. -- Blue Grass Stakes winner Dance With Fate has been euthanized after the colt severely injured his leg in a training accident.

A veterinarian at the seaside track said Thursday that Dance With Fate ruptured two of the three large patella ligaments in his right rear leg earlier in the morning.

Dr. Helmuth Von Bluecher says the injury was complicated by possible infection and further injuries in the area, which meant the colt would not be able to bear weight.

Dance With Fate was galloping at 5:30 a.m. when he bolted to the outside fence near the far turn, crashed into the fence and fell, dumping exercise rider Joe Durant, who was hospitalized with unknown injuries. Dance With Fate was taken by horse ambulance to trainer Peter Eurton's barn, where the colt was put down about 5 1/2 hours later.

Sports on 07/25/2014

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