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News Nuggets, 10.19.06
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NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Koren Robinson suspended by NFL

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson has been suspended without pay for a minimum of one year for violating the NFL substance abuse policy, according to an announcement at www.packers.com.

Robinson, who played at N.C. State, is eligible to be reinstated no sooner than Sept. 18, 2007.

Robinson previously was suspended for four games in 2004 when he was with the Seattle Seahawks for violating the Substance Abuse Policy.

Miami broadcaster axed over brawl comments

Saturday's mid-game brawl between the football teams of Miami (FL) and Florida International has claimed its first off-the-field victim, as Lamar Thomas, a former Miami player who cheered the fight on from a broadcasting booth and threatened to join the melee, was fired from his announcing job, according to a Miami Herald report.

Comcast Sports Southeast dumped Thomas from his job as a color commentator on Hurricanes games and will edit his fiery on-air remarks from a replay of the telecast on Wednesday.

''We don't condone Lamar's statements,'' CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman said. ``He unfortunately got caught in the emotion of it. He blurred the line between what takes place as a participant and your role as a broadcaster.''

When the head-stomping, helmet-swinging brawl erupted during the third quarter, Thomas not only cheered UM on, but said he wanted to join in taking a shot at the FIU team.

''You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,'' Thomas told viewers. ``You don't come into the Orange Bowl playing that stuff. You're across the ocean over there. You're across the city over there. You can't come over to our place talking noise like that. You'll get your butt kicked. I was about to go down the elevator and get into that thing.''

He even seemed disappointed when the referees finally got control. ''Why don't they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more?'' he urged. ``You don't come into the Orange Bowl, baby — we've had a down couple of years — but you don't come in here talking trash. ...

``You come in here talking smack, it's time to get it on. We let you play in our stadium — they play well, I got to give it to FIU, they played well so far — but you cross the line at some point.''

In an interview with The Miami Herald an hour before he was fired, Thomas said no one from CSS suggested he tone it down during the telecast, and that he had not heard from the network since. But he clearly seemed to expect some disciplinary action.

''I'm very new to this whole media thing,'' Thomas said. ``I'm an ex-player. I love the school I was doing games for. I'm very passionate about the University of Miami. I love those kids just like my brothers. I played with my emotions on my sleeve, and I broadcast games just like that.

``Unfortunately, this thing blew up into a national event, and I was caught with my pants down. If I had to do it all over again, I would be a little more tactful.''

His threat to join the fight, Thomas added, was a joke.

''Everybody who knows anything about the Orange Bowl knows it's going to take at least 40 minutes to go down the elevator from the press box,'' he said. ``I'm 36 years old, man — what am I going to do down there? It was a joke, but people didn't take it that way. That's the way it goes.''

Dartmouth, Holy Cross row gets investigation

Disciplinary action and possibly arrests may follow a post-game brawl that erupted in the middle of Memorial Field this past Saturday between football players of host Dartmouth and Holy Cross, according to a report in the Manchester (NH) Union Leader.

After Mike DeSantis kicked an 18-yard field goal in overtime, lifting Holy Cross to a 24-21 comeback victory, his teammates reportedly danced and stomped on the Dartmouth 'D' painted in the middle of the field.

A fight broke out between rival players with several throwing punches as the teams met for the customary sportsmanship postgame handshakes. It was broken up by coaches from both teams plus campus security and local police.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from electronic services and other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:52 PM