NFL officials will interview Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, and James Harrison next month when training camp opens in connection to an Al-Jazeera report report linking them to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to a letter from NFL executive Adolpho Birch, which was obtained Friday by the Associated Press. The letter also mentioned defensive lineman Mike Neal, a free agent who will be interviewed, but it did not mention the now-retired Peyton Manning, who also was cited in Al-Jazeera’s doping report in December. But USA Today, citing an unnamed source, reported an investigation into Manning’s possible involvement also is progressing.
Manziel seeking plea deal?
Bob Hinton, the lawyer for Johnny Manziel, accidentally seemed to divulge he was seeking a plea deal in his client’s domestic violence case and cast doubt about the troubled quarterback’s ability to stay clean, writing, “Heaven help us if one of the conditions is to pee in a bottle.’’ Hinton’s comments, meant for co-counsel Jim Darnell, were accidentally texted to the AP in response to a request for comment Monday night about a hit-and-run crash involving Manziel. Denise Michaels, Manziel’s spokeswoman, said in a statement to the AP that Hinton ‘‘has always only operated on the periphery of this case.’’ Michaels added, “Lead counsel Jim Darnell has told me from the beginning that he would never have Johnny plead guilty in this and that position has not changed.’’ . . . A Portland, Ore., homeowner shot an intruder Wednesday that turned out to be former Detroit Lions cornerback Stanley Wilson II, 33, who authorities said was naked when he was wounded and discovered in a backyard water fountain of the multmillion-dollar home.
Baseball
Mariners option OF AokiThe Seattle Mariners optioned starting outfielder Nori Aoki and relief pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen to Triple A Tacoma to clear space for pitching reinforcements. Louis. The Mariners also placed righthander Adrian Sampson on the 15-day disabled list and brought up lefthanders Wade LeBlanc and David Rollins and righthander Donn Roach from Tacoma. Seattle also transferred righthander Tony Zych to the 60-day DL . . . The Tampa Bay Rays addressed a need for outfield help by acquiring left-handed hitting Oswaldo Arcia from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for a player to be named or $45,000.
Olympics
Wizards’ Beal opts out of Rio
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, 22, declined an invitation to play for the United States men’s basketball team in the Rio Olympics, saying on Twitter he decided to dedicate his summer to getting into shape for next season . . . Ryan Lochte and his Swim MAC teammates were late arriving to the US Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha after they were forced to drive three hours in two rental vehicles when their flight Thursday from Charlotte, N.C., was diverted to Kansas City, Mo., because of an oxygen issue with the aircraft.
Golf
Rahm, Hurley share PGA lead
Jon Rahm and Billy Hurley III shared the Quicken Loans National lead at 11 under, three strokes ahead of Vijay Singh going into the weekend at Congressional in Bethesda, Md. . . . Japan’s Ayako Uehara matched the course record with a 9-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship at Rogers, Ark. . . . Gene Sauers rebounded from a bulging disk to share the first-round lead with Estaban Toledo in the Champions Tour’s American Family Insurance Championship at Madison, Wis.
Miscellany
FIFA to guide Argentina soccerFIFA took control of Argentina’s soccer federation and will pick an emergency panel to manage its affairs, announcing the move two days before the Lionel Messi-led Argentina team plays the Copa America Centenario final against Chile in East Rutherford, N.J. . . . Arizona defeated Oklahoma State, 9-3, and Coastal Carolina beat TCU, 4-1, to stay alive in the College World Series, each forcing a Saturday rematch, with the winner advancing to Monday’s best-of-three finals at Omaha. . . . Top-seeded NovakDjokovic and third-seeded Roger Federer, who have met in the last two Wimbledon finals, could meet in the semifinals after they were placed in the same half of the draw. Serena Williams was installed as the women’s top seed . . . Kristi Toliver scored 25 points to help the Los Angeles Sparks hand the Minnesota Lynx their first loss, 94-76, after a record 13-0 start . . . Breanna Stewart made five 3-pointers and tied a career high with 29 points to lead the host Seattle Storm over the Connecticut Sun, 98-81.
