Players Union Will Challenge Bengals’ ‘Loyalty Clause’

The NFL Players Assn. will have an opportunity next month to challenge the Cincinnati Bengals’ penalty clause in contracts that permit stripping a player of a signing bonus if he publicly criticizes the team.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch is to hear the association’s arguments Sept. 14 at a hearing in Cincinnati. The association filed a grievance July 31 over the so-called “loyalty clause.” Bengal owner Mike Brown believes the clause is appropriate because it promotes loyalty to the team.

Richard Berthelsen, lawyer for the players’ association, said he will ask the arbitrator to rule that the Bengals’ clause violates the players’ collective bargaining agreement with the NFL. Berthelsen contends the Bengals cannot compel repayment of signing bonuses.

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Steve Atwater walked away from football the way he wanted to--as a member of the Denver Broncos.

The 11-year veteran safety, who played with the New York Jets last season, signed a contract with the Broncos on Friday. Then, after closing practice with a two-hand touch tackle of running back Terrell Davis, Atwater announced his retirement from football.

“This is the way I wanted to go out,” said Atwater, who started all 155 games he played for the Broncos from 1989-98. “I bleed orange and will always bleed orange and blue.”

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Shocked by the $250,000 fine the NFL levied against him for obstructing justice in a murder case, Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said he plans to fight it. Lewis said he plans to appeal the fine, but declined to discuss it after the Ravens’ 24-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

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In other exhibition action, first-round draft pick Sebastian Janikowski made his Oakland debut with field goals of 38, 39 and 41 yards as the Raiders defeated visiting Detroit, 23-17. Detroit quarterback Mike Tomczak broke his right tibia in the second quarter. . . . Daunte Culpepper passed for 311 yards and two touchdowns to lead Minnesota over Arizona, 35-17, at Minneapolis, but seven players left the game with injuries. Cardinal receiver Rob Moore tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and cornerback Coby Rhinehart tore two ligaments in his left knee. . . . Ryan Leaf took a major step toward reclaiming his job as San Diego’s No. 1 quarterback, as he passed for 167 yards and a touchdown in the opening half of the Chargers’ 28-14 victory over the Falcons at Atlanta. . . . Ray Lucas threw for three touchdowns and Curtis Martin dominated on the ground as the Jets beat the Giants, 27-24, at East Rutherford, N.J. . . . David Akers kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Philadelphia Eagles over the visiting Tennessee Titans, 34-32. Eagle quarterback Donovan McNabb completed 15 of 23 passes for 163 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran for 43 yards.