Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco recently announced his plans to “tweet” during games this year, but the NFL was quick to issue a reminder that such an activity would be against league rules because it prohibits the use of cell phones or other handheld devices in the bench area during games.

Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

Chad’s Twitter (of course) response was:

“Damn NFL and these rules, I am going by my own set of rules, I ain’t hurting nobody or getting in trouble, I am putting my foot down!!”

Chad is forgetting who he’s dealing with. I don’t see the NFL lightening up on this one. The LPGA actually encourages their players to tweet during a competitive round of golf but it isn’t going to happen in the NFL. Nevertheless, Chad might be able to find a loophole in the verbiage. We’ll see what his next move is.

Source: Twitter.com/OGOchoCinco

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams will be available for the first four games of the 2009 regular season. Today, Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson blocked the NFL’s plan to suspend Pat and Kevin for the first four games and granted the players’ request for a temporary restraining order, which keeps the NFL from suspending them until the case is decided. It also prohibits the league from subjecting them to extra drug testing.

Kevin and Pat Williams, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

So, until this case has been decided (and believe it or not, I don’t see a resolution until 2010), the Vikings will have their impressive defensive line intact. If Brett Favre needed another reason to play for the Vikings in 2009 (he really doesn’t), this news will certainly not hurt his chances of “unretiring” and wearing purple.

Source: NFL.com

Nashville Police officially announced a murder-suicide today as former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot and killed by his 20-year-old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, four days ago. Investigators believe Steve was sleeping on the sofa in the couple’s downtown Nashville condo when Ms. Kazemi shot him in the right temple, twice in the chest and then in the left temple from inches away. Then, Ms. Kazemi shot herself in the right temple and died.

Steve McNair / Image: Zuma Press

This is just an incredibly sad and gruesome account of a situation gone terribly wrong. Interviews with friends revealed that a distraught Ms. Kazemi was making payments on two cars, her rent was doubling and she suspected Steve was having a second affair with another young woman. Nashville police chief Ronal Serpas said Ms. Kazemi was “spinning out of control” leading up to the incident:

“We do know that she was clearly sending a message during the last five to seven days of her life that things were going bad quickly.”

Source: NFL.com

As you are probably aware, Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens has his own reality series. Here’s the show summary and extended trailer for The T.O. Show, which debuts June 20 on VH1. I’m sure I’ll start watching it but it seems ridiculous. I don’t know if I’ll make it past the first episode:

From VH1.com — Terrell Owens is one of the most talented and exciting players in the history of football. As the controversial “T.O.” he seems to have it all –catching passes and grabbing headlines. But life is far from perfect for Terrell Owens, the man. As the show opens he’s just been cut from the Dallas Cowboys. To help him get over the shock, his best friends (and publicists), Mo and Kita try to convince Terrell (and his friend/ bodyguard Pablo) to move to LA to work on his love life and explore some post football career options. The next day Terrell gives Mo, Kita and Pablo the good news: he’s just signed with the Buffalo Bills! As the friends celebrate, Terrell agrees to move to LA. But where the thoughtful, soft spoken Terrell goes, the wildman “T.O.” is sure to follow. Now the girls have their hands full as Terrell “gets his L.A. on” with a sexy real estate agent and a crazy house party that quickly flies off the hook! Terrell also pays a visit to his former fiancée, Felisha. But while Terrell still has feelings for her, nobody’s sure what the future will hold.

Source: VH1.com

I think it’s great that athletes are now using Twitter to release information to the media (and whoever else cares). Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett had an announcement to make today and he chose Twitter to get the word out.

Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals / Image: Zuma Press

Earlier today, a “ddockett” tweet said:

“Dockett fans, CARDINAL FANs, AND ALL SPORTS WRITERS AND ALL BLOGGER and any one else who wanna know I WILL MAKE AN ANNOUCMENT 2day @ 8:15.”

(I think Twitter needs a built-in spell checker, but based on the tweets I’ve seen from some NFL players, I’m not sure it would matter.) Anyway, that 8:15 p.m. announcement happened around 8:40 and said:

“I am happy to announce that after meeting with the team recently, I have full faith and confidence in the Cardinals organization and I am looking forward to a great season. From the first day of training camp and on, I will not let my contract issues distract me or my team from reaching our goals. I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC championship title and I appreciate the support I’ve received from all my fans this offseason - WE WILL WIN THE NFC WEST. FYI to all, No this was not a DREW ROSENHAUSE call or idea, THIS is how I feel and I’m sticking to it. Thanks agan to all the DDOCKETT FANS.”

With the 140 character limit, that took him five tweets to complete. But aside from the guarantee, that was rather anticlimactic as far as I’m concerned. At the very least, I was anticipating dollars and cents. Apparently, Darnell has been promised something and that works for him.

Source: Twitter.com/ddockett

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair (Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens) was found dead yesterday with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his head. Police said a pistol was discovered near the body of a woman, identified as as 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, who was also shot and killed in a downtown condominium. Steve was found on the sofa in the living room and Ms. Kazemi was very close to him on the floor.

Steve McNair, 1973-2009 / Image: Zuma Press

Titans owner Bud Adams released the following statement upon hearing the news:

“We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair’s passing today. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing.”

Police said an autopsy would be performed today that would begin to make sense of exactly what happened yesterday. But as disturbing and sad as the news is in itself, the details—which are still unclear—are beginning to take shape in various media reports. CNN claimed Kazemi was Steve’s girlfriend. The Nashville City Paper reported that Steve’s murder was preceded by a warning that he would be killed. And now The Tennessean is calling the incident an apparent murder-suicide.

Sources: NFL.com, TitansOnline.com

Current and former NFL coaches Jon Gruden, Tom Coughlin, Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher and John Harbaugh are currently on the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour. The group is traveling to meet and greet service members for several days in the Persian Gulf region.

Jon Gruden / Image: Zuma Press

Coach Gruden is describing the experience as “life-changing” for himself and his colleagues:

“You can read about what our troops are doing over here or you can watch reports on television, but none of that can compare to being here with them. It’s inspiring. I think sometimes people forget the role our military plays in keeping our country safe. There is the Air Force, the Navy and the Army all working together tirelessly, putting in long hours every day so far away from home. I’ll never think about military service the same way after seeing it up close this week. It’s been a life-changing experience for all of us.”

What better day than July 4 to remember our troops and thank them for protecting our freedoms.

Source: ESPN.com

As if we needed further evidence that Brett Favre will “unretire” for a second time and sign with the Minnesota Vikings within the next couple weeks, it appears he is now house hunting in Minnesota. The Star-Tribune is reporting that Brett is in the process of attempting to secure a residence in the Twin Cities—either a condo in Edina or a house along Bearpath Golf and Country Club in Eden Prairie (personally, I would enjoy the golf course surroundings).

Brett Favre / Image: Zuma Press

So, barring any unforeseen developments (e.g. Brett’s right arm falls off), all signs are pointing to Brett and the Vikings making a public announcement soon.

Source: Star-Tribune.com

The NFL suspended N.Y. Jets linebacker Calvin Pace four games without pay today for violating the league’s Policy on Performing Enhancing Substances. Calvin will miss the first four games of the 2009 regular season. So, he will see his first action October 12 against Miami.

Apparently Calvin took an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that he didn’t know violated the league’s policy. Which, of course, was a big mistake. As an NFL player, if you are considering taking any supplement, you should first clear it with your team’s head trainer. Let that qualified professional examine the product and give the o.k. There’s no excuse for violating the policy. It’s a no-brainer—literally.

Calvin Pace, N.Y. Jets / Image: Zuma Press

Calvin issued the following statement today:

“I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I should have paid closer attention to the league’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization, as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.”

Oh, I think it’s already a distraction. This is a big loss for the Jets. Calvin finished second on the team with a career-high seven sacks last season. He also had 80 tackles, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries and was expected to play a big role in new head coach Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defensive scheme this season. This gives LB Vernon Gholston a golden opportunity to finally prove his worth. But he’ll have to beat out undrafted rookie free agent OTA standout Jamaal Westerman first.

Source: NewYorkJets.com

On the final day of the National Football League’s annual Rookie Symposium today, former Minnesota Vikings receiver—and should be Hall of Famer—Cris Carter lectured players about the potential dangers of making poor life decisions. Hopefully, the they will take Cris’ words to heart.

Cris Carter / Photo: Newscom

Cris made poor decisions in his own life, dealing with alcoholism and addiction. But he managed to pull himself together to become one of the league’s best receivers of all-time. And now he can speak from experience—and from the heart—about what it takes to be a success in the NFL:

“I was here when Ryan Leaf was here. But also I was here when Michael Vick was here. And I sat up here and talked with Plaxico Burress. And Pacman was sitting right there, too. I seen all these kids come through the National Football League and every one of them—I tried to tell them the truth—and every one of them looked at me and said, ‘You know, Cris. It ain’t gonna be me. It ain’t gonna happen to me.’”

Source: NFL.com