NFL
The National Football League - arguably the most popular sport in the US. It is the highest level a football player can reach in professional sports, 32 teams compete in 16 games to reach the playoffs and ultimately the super bowl.
Around the league overnight
The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with tight end Jake O'Connell, one of the team's three seventh-round draft picks.
O'Connell played 41 games at Miami of Ohio, catching 46 passes for 453 yards and four touchdowns, including 25 catches for 258 yards last season.
O'Connell, the 237th overall pick, is the third of Kansas City's eight draft picks to sign, joining kicker Ryan Succop and offensive tackle Colin Brown.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has started his review of the Plaxico Burress shooting incident under the league's personal conduct policy.
The league confirmed Friday that Goodell was examining the incident in which Burress shot himself in the thigh in late November in a New York City nightclub. The commissioner could suspend him if he finds that the receiver violated the NFL policy on personal conduct.
Burress was notified of the commissioner's review on Friday by Adolpho Birch, the NFL's vice president of labor and law policy.
Burress still faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon. He would face up to 3½ years in prison if convicted.
His case was recently adjourned until September. Defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman and prosecutors have yet to agree on a plea deal.
While Burress is free to sign with any team, the unresolved legal matter seemingly has made teams reluctant to add the talented wide receiver. And even if Burress avoids jail time, Goodell has the power to suspend him under the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Defendant Willie Clark, center, is lead into Courtroom 1 at the City and County Building for a hearing Friday.
A suspect in the slaying of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams has appeared in court in a separate homicide case.
Willie Clark is charged in the 2006 shooting death of Kalonniann Clark of Denver. He was supposed to enter a plea Friday, but his arraignment was postponed until Oct. 2.
Willie Clark also is charged with first degree murder in the drive-by shooting death of Williams on New Year's Day 2007. He faces 39 counts in that case. The trial is set to begin Oct. 13.
Also charged in Kalonniann Clarks' death are Brian Hicks and Shun Birch. The homicide is unrelated to Williams' slaying, but police say Hicks owned an SUV that was used during Williams' slaying.
Prosecutors say Kalonniann Clark was going to testify against Hicks in a drug case and that Hicks told Willie Clark to kill her.
Also Friday, a man considered a witness in the Williams case was arrested when he was spotted in the courtroom. Marquise Harris had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear at a previous hearing on Williams.
Harris told Judge Christina M. Habas that he feared for himself and his family, and he gave a letter to the judge. A court clerk said the letter was sealed to the public.
Habas released Harris, but warned him he would be arrested again if he failed to appear for future court dates.
The three defendants appeared in red jail jumpsuits Friday. They were handcuffed and chained around the waist and feet. Security was tight on the courthouse floor and everyone on the floor was prohibited from using cell phones.
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