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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 7, 2002
Police investigate Bettis in sexual misconduct case
PITTSBURGH -- Police are investigating Steelers running back Jerome Bettis after a woman accused him of sexual misconduct.
The woman, who was not identified, told police Bettis attacked her in his car on Aug. 21, after she'd met him at a bar to have a football autographed.
Bettis' lawyer, Bob Del Greco, confirmed Friday that police in Greensburg, Pa. -- about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh -- contacted the player about the woman's claim. Del Greco said Bettis is cooperating with the investigation.
Bettis, who denies the assault, passed a voice stress analysis, similar to a polygraph, and gave police permission to search his car, Del Greco said.
Bettis made a short statement before the team's practice Friday, the last full workout before Monday's season opener: "Unfortunately, due to the situation, I can't speak about the issues at hand. But I do want to let everyone know, the people of Pittsburgh know, that today I have a heavy heart because of the situation."
Greensburg Police Chief Richard Baric said Bettis consented to a search of his vehicle Friday. Baric added he would not know what the search yielded until Monday, because any potential evidence must be processed by Westmoreland County detectives. Police have recovered the football and other physical evidence, but Baric didn't go into specifics. Asked if Bettis submitted a blood sample so police could perform a DNA or other test to support the woman's allegations, Baric said, "He has cooperated fully with all requests we have made of him."
Bettis is scheduled to play in the Steelers' season opener Monday night against New England.
The Saints gave quarterback Aaron Brooks a six-year, $36-million contract extension Friday. The deal, reported by ESPN.com, includes a $5-million signing bonus.
Brooks, who was the Saints' quarterback during the team's first playoff victory, is entering his second season as the starter. The Saints had been talking about a $30-million deal, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady signed a four-year, $30-million contract to raise the stakes.
Included in the Brooks' deal is a $5.75-million option bonus in 2003.
Brooks, 26, went to the Saints for a third-round draft pick from the Packers two years ago.
BROWNS SAFETY INJURED: Cleveland safety Chris Akins was hospitalized after a one-car accident in Brook Park, Ohio. Police Lt. Jim Foster said Akins was taken to Southwest General Hospital in nearby Middleburg Heights, but a hospital spokeswoman declined to comment on his condition. Foster said Akins, a standout on special teams, was traveling southbound on I-71 in his sport utility vehicle when the accident happened about 6 p.m.
JETS: With the clock winding down toward a deadline that would have halted negotiations, the team agreed to terms with center Kevin Mawae on a six-year contract that will pay him a $9.5-million signing bonus, the New York Times reported. Mawae, a three-time Pro Bowl starter entering his ninth year, would have been a free agent at the end of the season. Instead he will be the highest paid interior offensive lineman in the league for at least the next three years. The total value of his deal is similar to the six-year, $23-million deal received by Bears center Olin Kreutz last offseason, but is heavily front-loaded. Mawae's agent, Mark Bartelstein, declined to reveal terms of the contract.
RAVENS: Baltimore and linebacker Peter Boulware have agreed on a contract extension that will keep last season's AFC sacks leader with the team through 2008. Boulware agreed to a seven-year deal, according to Baltimore's Sun. The newspaper reported that the $42-million contract includes a $13.5-million signing bonus. The outside linebacker was to enter the final year of his contract before the agreement was reached."It feels good to be a part of their long-term plans," Boulware said. "I've always wanted to be here. I think we can build something good here." The Ravens in July signed inside linebacker Ray Lewis to a seven-year, $49.5-million contract that included a $19-million signing bonus. "We have played together for long time. Now, we know we'll play together even longer," Boulware said. The 27-year-old Boulware, who played for Florida State, is the Ravens' career sacks leader, recording 52 over his 80-game career. He had a career-high 15 last year.