So, here is where we once again get to watch the National Football League dance around its own reprehensible image.
According to multiple reports, the entire investigation into a incident involving Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott may in fact prove that the league itself might have been trying to frame the 22-year-old star.
At least, that's what the NFL Players Association is saying.
"During the course of the past 13 months and culminating in the last three days of the appeal process, we have witnessed some of the most egregious violations of legal due process in connection with the NFL's investigation of Mr. Elliott. Not only did the underlying facts not support the false allegations made against Mr. Elliott, but the process in which they were gathered and adjudicated were fundamentally unfair. Mr. Elliott looks forward to being completely vindicated and will continue to explore all other legal options to redress the reputational and monetary harm that he has suffered."
This quote is part of a court filing submitted by the NFLPA in an effort to block any suspension against Elliott.
Then of course, there's this little bombshell.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, NFL lead investigator Kia Roberts testified this week that she recommended that Elliott not be suspended at all.
Not only did Roberts play a key role in the Elliott case, but she was the only NFL employee who spoke to Elliott's accuser, Tiffany Thompson, during the 13-month investigation.
Now back to the NFLPA request for an injunction...
The restraining order would, if allowed, potentially let Elliott play while the case works its way through the courts and the appeals process.
Here's where it gets sticky... if the league can't prove the allegations against Elliott are true, then it appears the league set out on a witch hunt. If the league suspends Elliott, he's labeled as a domestic batterer for the rest of eternity.
If that sounds like hyperbole, let's be honest here.... We don't label Ray Rice as a former Baltimore Ravens running back, we don't think of Josh Brown as a former New York Giants kicker or Greg Hardy as all-pro defensive player, they're domestic abusers, they've assaulted women, they are the scourge of the earth.
Not exactly the look anyone in the league is going for.
Oh yeah, one more thing. If the original 6-game suspension handed to Elliott a couple weeks back does somehow get reduced or tossed out altogether, then the world of public opinion gets to label the NFL - falsely or otherwise - as being soft on domestic violence or assaulting a woman.
All of this adds up to a giant mess for the league and trusty commissioner Roger Goodell.
Good luck with that.
The college football season (officially) kicked off last night with a pair of Top 10 teams scoring big wins.
After a sluggish first half, the Ohio State Buckeyes poured it on in the second half on their way to a 49-21 win over the Indiana Hoosiers. Meantime, 10th ranked Oklahoma State rolled over Tulsa 59-24. Tonight, 8th ranked Washington faces Rutgers while 9th ranked Wisconsin faces Utah State.
We've got a pair of college football games on FOX AM1340/93.9FM this weekend.
Saturday at 9pm (ET), it's BYU facing LSU.
Sunday night at 7pm (ET), it's UCLA hosting Texas A&M.
You're welcome.
I don't even know where to begin with this latest nonsense.
LaVar Ball, father of Los Angeles Laker rookie Lonzo Ball, is back in the news, with his youngest son, LaMelo.
The youngest Ball brother, a 16-year-old high school junior, now has his own signature shoe. His father told ESPN that he isn't concerned whether it will affect his son's college eligibility.
"We'll worry about it when we get there," Ball told ESPN. "Who cares? If he can't play, then he can't play. It doesn't mean he'll stop working out and getting better."
LaMelo's shoe - the MB1 - was available this week online for $395. Lonzo introduced his signature shoe this summer for $495.
Naturally, this will get the NCAA involved, because of the appearance of impropriety in regards to a student-athlete receiving benefits.
That will, in turn, get under the skin of those who believe that players should be remunerated in some way considering the massive amounts of revenue they bring into schools, conferences and through lucrative television deals.
And the circus just goes merrily along.
All of this and more is on the table this morning on the Friday edition of FIRST SPORTS.
Listen online and on the radio dial, weekdays at 9am (ET) through the I Heart Radio app at foxsports1340.com or locally on AM1340/93.9FM.