By The Associated Press

Published: Thursday, July 12, 2012, 7:50 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, July 12, 2012

Steelers linebacker Larry Foote claims he is the victim of a scheme to defraud him out of more than $400,000.

In a lawsuit Foote's lawyer said was filed Thursday in Wayne County (Mich.) Circuit Court, Foote claims he was duped when he invested money with two defendants associated with a Dearborn Heights valet service. Foote was born in Detroit, went to Michigan and played for the Detroit Lions in 2009.

The suit claims Foote was approached in 2010 by one of the defendants, who indicated he had recently acquired major valet contracts and needed an investor to provide capital.

Seau's family donates brain tissue to research

Junior Seau's family donated some of his brain tissue for research amid questions about whether damage from his football career contributed to his suicide, officials said.

The San Diego County medical examiner's office released preserved brain tissue to the National Institutes of Health, coroner's spokeswoman Sarah Gordon said.

“We have no information about the type of study that will be done,” she said.

The tissue was released at the request of Seau's family. Gordon declined to disclose whether Seau's entire brain was released.

The 43-year-old former linebacker shot himself in the chest at his Oceanside home in May, less than 21⁄2 years after ending his Pro Bowl career.

NFL files grievance over Vilma lawsuit

The NFL filed a grievance with the players' union asking Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma to drop his defamation lawsuit against commissioner Roger Goodell.

The league claims Vilma's suit violates the collective bargaining agreement reached in August to end the lockout. A clause in the CBA, which the NFL says the union agreed to, bars NFL Players Association members from suing the league or any clubs.

Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season by Goodell for his role in the Saints' bounties program that the NFL says was conducted for three years. Vilma also is seeking an injunction to stop that suspension from taking effect.

In its grievance, the NFL says “imposition of discipline against Vilma” is covered by Article 46 of the CBA. “Clearly, league discipline, and the commissioner's responsibility for upholding that policy, is conduct permitted by the CBA and under the NFL's constitution and bylaws.”

Vilma's defamation suit accuses Goodell of making “very public and unfortunately erroneous allegations against Jonathan,” said Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg.

Collusion arguments to be heard in Sept.

U.S. District Judge David Doty agreed to listen to arguments in the NFL Players Association's collusion lawsuit against the league.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed that the hearing in Doty's federal courtroom in Minneapolis is set for Sept. 6.

The NFLPA filed a petition May 23 to reopen the Reggie White settlement, overseen by Doty since 1993 until last year's lockout. The union claimed the owners imposed a secret $123 million salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost the players at least $1 billion in lost wages.

Washington, Dallas, Oakland and New Orleans were punished by the NFL for overspending in 2010. The league has denied the accusation, arguing the 2011 CBA contained clauses precluding further court claims.

Around the league

Cleveland took former Baylor receiver Josh Gordon in the second round of the supplemental draft. He was the only player selected; the Browns must forfeit their second-round pick in 2013. ... Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams failed a second performance-enhancing drug test after he failed his first test, according to reports filed in his lawsuit against the NFL. Williams is facing a six-game suspension, but he contends the league violated protocol in collecting urine samples.

1. Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
2. Steelers reach agreement with sixth-round pick Williams
3. Steelers rookie moves on after PSU scandal
4. Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013
5. Ex-Steelers QB Batch learns new form of 2-minute drill
6. Robinson: Steelers’ draft grades well ... for now
7. Undrafted lineman Embernate hopes he can stick with Steelers
8. Starks prepared to part ways with Steelers
9. Robinson: The good, bad of speaking out in NFL
10. Steelers’ Clark: Polamalu third-best safety in NFL
11. Steelers ink fourth-round pick Thomas to 4-year deal

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