Goodell officially set to hear appeal

NEW YORK — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made it official: He will hear Tom Brady’s appeal of his four-game suspension.

The league suspended the Patriots quarterback for his role in the use of deflated footballs by New England in its AFC championship game victory over Indianapolis in January. The players’ union said Goodell should recuse himself from hearing the appeal because he can’t be impartial and could be called as a witness.

But Goodell cited the “integrity of the game” and his “responsibility” under the labor agreement to “serve as hearing officer in any appeal involving conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.”

Goodell wrote to Brady, saying “My mind is open.” The appeal will be heard June 23.

Peterson returns to Vikings practice

MINNEAPOLIS — Adrian Peterson donned his familiar purple No. 28 jersey and jogged on to the practice field.

It was the start of a gradual process of putting behind the chaos and confusion that engulfed him and the Minnesota Vikings over the past nine months.

Making a return to practice for the first time since September, Peterson said he has “learned a lot from my mistake” that resulted in child abuse charges against him.

Carolina’s Newton gets $103.8 million

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman believes Cam Newton can lead the Panthers to “the Promised Land” so he made the fifth-year quarterback the highest-paid player in franchise history.

Gettleman made a huge commitment to the former No. 1 overall draft pick.

Newton signed a franchise record $103.8 million, five-year contract extension to cap 11 days of negotiations. He will earn $67.6 million over the first three years, the most money ever paid to an NFL player during the first three years of a contract.

American Pharoah ready for Belmont

NEW YORK — American Pharoah arrived in New York to begin final preparations for this weekend’s Belmont Stakes, in which the colt will try to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

After a flight from Louisville and a van ride from Long Island, American Pharoah was quickly guided into Barn 1 at Belmont Park.