Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers gave in to the NFLs ultimatum that they cooperate with the leagues investigation into their alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs for one reason:We werent willing to fall on the knife for something we didnt do, Matthews told reporters in Kansas City following the Green Bay Packers preseason game Thursday night against the Chiefs, a 17-7 loss.Both maintained their innocence from the start when they were linked to PEDs by an Al-Jazeera America report in December, but they (along with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison) werent cleared until Wednesday?-- a week after they finally agreed to sit down with league investigators.They agreed to talk after the NFL said the players could face a suspension if they didnt cooperate by Aug. 25.Peppers said he wouldve liked the situation to have been resolved sooner.I feel like we all couldve handled the situation a little differently to get better results, [but] Im pleased with how it turned out, Peppers said. Thats pretty much it.Matthews said he was never worried about being suspended until the league gave them a deadline to talk, but he is still bothered that he had to answer to what he called ridiculous allegations.Whos to say that somebody can just come out and say anything and next thing you know youre sitting down for something thats absolutely ridiculous, as it was in this case, Matthews said. Like I said, I maintained my innocence. I really had nothing to worry about until those ultimatums were put in place, and at that point, we sat down for the interviews and were ultimately cleared.When asked whether he made the decision to be interviewed by the league on his own or if the NFL Players Association told him to do it, Peppers said: It was a process.There was a lot of back-and-forth for months, Peppers said. We communicated with the PA back and forth about how to best handle it, so I think last week we came to a decision that we needed to just go ahead and do it and hopefully get it resolved, and thats what happened. Rowland Office Jersey . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. David Justice Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. http://www.custombravesjersey.com/custom-biff-pocoroba-jersey-large-607z.html . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. Custom Bob Uecker Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Custom Dale Murphy Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Greater Western Sydney have lost one of their most experienced players, with veteran defender Joel Patfull announcing his retirement from the AFL on Wednesday.To fulfil a required player payment and for the club to adhere to the total player payment (TPP) obligations, Patfull has been delisted by the Giants, but will be selected by the club at next months rookie draft.He will be rookie-listed on the Giants roster for 2017, as approved by the AFL.Patfull, 31, played 220 games, 182 of them in nine seasons for Brisbane, where he won best-and-fairest awards in 2012 and 2013.He contributed valuable experience to a youthful Giants backline over the past two seasons, adding 38 appearances to his career tally,I feel like the ttime is right to retire and I leave the game with no regrets, Patfull said.dddddddddddd.I never imagined playing over 200 games was possible.I leave the Giants knowing the club is heading in the right direction and I hope to see this driven group achieve the ultimate success in the near future.Giants general manger football Wayne Campbell described Patfull as a no-fuss player who had an enormous impact on the club.His maturity and ability to play on both tall and small forwards added great value to our young list, Campbell said.Joel helped shape the careers of a number of our young players. ' ' '