Friday's NFL: Panthers owner David Tepper scrutinized in criminal probe

Columbia, S.C. — Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his real estate company are the focus of a criminal investigation to see if they misused any public money in their failed effort to build a practice facility for the NFL team in South Carolina.

The York County Sheriff's Office said state agents and local prosecutors are aiding its investigation, and that the probe does not mean that any crime happened.

“An investigation is simply an inquiry and should not create any inference that wrongdoing has been committed by any party,” York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson and Solicitor Kevin Brackett said in a joint statement Thursday night that named Tepper and GT Real Estate, the company created to oversee the construction project.

Tepper's company denied any criminal wrongdoing and suggested the timing of the announcement might be meant to disrupt a settlement the team reached with York County to repay more than $21 million, an amount roughly equivalent to the sales tax money the project received to improve roads around the facility.

“This is a straightforward commercial matter that is being fully resolved. The underlying disputes arise under contracts that were jointly negotiated by the parties and are publicly available. The funds paid by the county were handled consistent with the terms of those contracts,” the statement from Tepper's GT Real Estate said.

Tepper, a hedge fund manager who is one of the NFL's wealthiest owners, and the Panthers announced plans for an $800 million practice facility, team offices, sports medicine complex, hotels and entertainment near Rock Hill in 2019.

Both local and South Carolina leaders cheered the investment offering incentives and relishing getting a piece of the NFL team away from North Carolina and Charlotte, where the team plays its games about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away.

But after less than two years, Tepper's company abruptly stopped work on the facility before its steel superstructure was finished, and declared bankruptcy. Work continues on an interstate interchange promised by the state, and Tepper’s company is trying to sell the land in the busy, growing region.

Tepper’s company blamed Rock Hill for failing to issue bonds and said the city and other governments failed to come through with funding and other promises.

York County and Rock Hill have denied those claims and what Tepper's company is responsible for is being contested in federal bankruptcy court.

York County announced shortly after the bankruptcy that Tepper's company took $21 million of sales tax money that was supposed to be spent on roads and spent it on a “failed vanity project.”

“Rather than cover the ballooning project budget themselves, the Tepper Defendants took money from York County and its taxpayers,” the county said in a lawsuit.

The criminal investigation was announced only days after the Panthers and York County announced they settled that lawsuit. As of Friday morning, the settlement had not been filed in court or approved by a judge.

Lamar Jackson apologizes for vulgar tweet toward fan

Owings Mills, Md. — Lamar Jackson apologized for his vulgar tweet following Baltimore's loss last weekend, saying Friday that he was angry and reacted.

Jackson hadn't been made available since the situation since Sunday.

“I was just reacting at the time. I was mad. I wasn’t thinking about actions," he said. "It was like, bitter. I was bitter. I feel like you should be bitter after a loss though. No smiles. In fact, the fans should be mad we lost too, but not mad at us. We tried.

"But it happened. I apologize, if I hurt feelings out there.”

After the Ravens lost 28-27 to Jacksonville on Sunday, a fan suggested Baltimore should let Jackson leave via free agency. Jackson responded in a tweet that was later deleted, saying the person “never smelt a football field” and using vulgar language that members of the LBGTQ community said was offensive.

Jackson said he was upset after the game, and the fan's tweet was the first thing he saw on social media.

“I just busted my behind — my whole team did, coaches did — and that’s what I seen, and I just reacted to it," he said. “My bad.”

Jackson said his girlfriend recommended he delete the tweet.

When asked what he learned from this episode, Jackson said: "There's kids watching. I don't need the kids saying that. Just watch what you say. Try to stay off Twitter if something like that happens again. Hopefully we're not losing no more.”

Earlier this week, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he tells players to avoid Twitter so soon after a game — especially a loss.

Personnel dept.

... Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields appears ready to start Sunday against the rival Green Bay Packers after missing a game because of an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

Fields was a full participant in practice Friday for the second straight day and was listed without a designation on the team's final injury report. He missed last week’s 31-10 loss at the New York Jets, but it looks as though he will play when the Bears host the Packers.

Fields separated his left shoulder and suffered some ligament damage in the AC joint when he was tackled on a designed run late in Chicago’s loss at Atlanta two weeks ago. 

... Browns tight end David Njoku will miss Sunday's game against Houston with a knee injury, keeping one of Cleveland's top offensive targets off the field for quarterback Deshaun Watson's return.

Njoku was officially ruled out following Friday's practice after being held out all week. It's not known when he sustained the injury. Njoku, who has 41 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns, recently missed two games with a high ankle sprain.

... Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris expects to play Sunday when the Steelers travel to Atlanta after practicing on Friday for the first time since injuring his abdomen late in the first half of a 24-17 victory over Indianapolis on Monday night.

Harris said he “felt good” and sees no reason why he won't be in the lineup as Pittsburgh (4-7) tries to win consecutive games for the first time this season. Harris walked off the field against the Colts grimacing in pain, though he's not sure exactly when he was injured.