NFL investigators have been interviewing massage therapists who have accused Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior, the Baltimore Banner reported Friday.

The news website cited three women who participated in the inquiry. The Banner has reported accusations from 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers.

The NFL previously said it would look into the matter.

Tucker said after the initial allegations emerged that he has never received any complaints from a massage therapist or been told he was not welcome at a spa or other place of business.

Jaguars hire Rams’ Gladstone as GM

The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Los Angeles Rams executive James Gladstone as their general manager Friday, reuniting him with new coach Liam Coen.

Gladstone, 34, held the position of director of scouting strategy in LA since 2019, working alongside Rams general manager Les Snead during the draft process. He’s been viewed as a key member of the scouting department since 2016.

Coen and Gladstone spent four years together with the Rams (2018-20, 2022), watching and learning from Snead and coach Sean McVay.

In Jacksonville, Gladstone will join a group of first-timers trying to revive a franchise that has lost 18 of its last 23 games.

Gophers

Men’s hockey bests

No. 8 Ohio State

The fourth-ranked Minnesota men’s hockey team disposed of No. 8 Ohio State 4-1 at Mariucci Arena.

The sides were tied 1-all after the opening period with Brody Lamb scoring the first of his two goals for the Gophers.

From there, it was all Minnesota, with goals by Ryan Chesley and Oliver Moore sandwiching Lamb’s second score of the night.

Goaltender Liam Souliere stopped 25 of 26 shots he faced for the victory.

Minnesota (21-7-4, 12-5-3 Big Ten) and Ohio State (20-8-2, 13-6-1) face each other again Saturday night at 5 p.m.

Women’s swim/dive earns three podiums

The Minnesota women’s swim and dive teams posted three podium finishes on day three of Big Ten Championships.

Ava Yablonski set a new school record in the 100 back with a 51.63 during prelims. She then broke her newly-set record during the 400 medley relay finals with a 51.61 lead off split. In the 100 back finals, Yablonski placed sixth with a 51.81.

The 400-medley relay team of Ava Yablonski, Ava Goodno, Claire Reinke, and Livi Wanner placed fifth with a NCAA ‘B’ cut of 3:32.84.

In the diving well, Vivi Del Angel tied for fifth on 3 meter with a 339.60.

Softball sweeps Day 1 of Mary Nutter Classic

The Gopher softball team topped both Fresno State and No. 22 Missouri in Day 1 of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.

The Gophers (3-7) topped the Bulldogs (6-4) 7-6 in eight innings with sophomore Cameron Grayson notching the win with an inning of scoreless relief of junior starter Sydney Schwartz.

In the second game, Minnesota bested the Tigers (8-7) by a 3-1 score as senior Taylor Krapf homered and drive in three runs. Junior Presley Hosick earned the win.

Baseball falls to Sooners in Round Rock Classic

The Minnesota baseball team (1-3, 0-0 Big Ten) fell to Oklahoma (4-0, 0-0 SEC) by a 3-2 score in the opening game of the Karbach Round Rock Classic in Round Rock, Tex.

Sophomore Cole Selvig (1-1) got the start and threw 4.2 innings, collecting seven strikeouts and taking the loss.

Redshirt senior Josh Fitzgerald hit his first home run of the season with a solo shot in the first inning to put the Gophers on the board. Mason Richter drove in Jake Larson with an RBI single for the other Minnesota tally.

St. thomas

Men’s hockey blanks Northern Michigan

The St. Thomas men’s hockey team blanked Northern Michigan 3-0 in Marquette, Mich.

Grant Docter and Matthew Gleason scored for the Tommies in the first period before Lucas Wahlins’ empty-netter late in the third finished off the Wildats. Goaltender Jake Sibell made 21 saves to earn the clean sheet in net.

St. Thomas (13-13-5, 10-9-4 CCHA) and Northern Michigan (5-25-1, 4-18-1) hit the ice again Saturday night.

Women’s Hockey falls at Minnesota State

The St. Thomas women’s hockey team dropped an 8-3 decision at Minnesota State.

The Tommies logged goals in each period, with Rylee Bartz netting one and Ella Boerger tallying two overall.

However, the Mavericks scored multiple goals in each frame to skate away with the five-goal win.

St. Thomas (9-22-2, 6-20-1 WCHA) and MSU (12-19-2, 6-19-2) move to Mendota Heights for their follow-up game, slated for 4 p.m. Saturday.

MLB

Yankees drop 49-year ban on beards

The New York Yankees have dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner announced the change before the team’s spring training opener.

As recently as Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day, which was ignored by closer Devin Williams.

Dodgers’ Sasaki reveals marriage

Japanese phenom pitcher Roki Sasaki has revealed that he is married. That even caught Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts by surprise.

When asked if he had gotten Sasaki a wedding gift, Roberts said he didn’t even know the 23-year-old pitcher had a girlfriend.

Sasaki revealed his marriage in an Instagram post. He didn’t name his wife or any specific details of their wedding.

— From news services