Need An Excuse? Take It From The Pros

[12]Agent for Charlotte Hornets power forward Anthony Mason, maintaining his client's innocence on statutory rape charges after an alleged night of sex with two teenage girls, one 14 and the other 15. Mason denies that the encounter took place.

[13] San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice after police found him in a massage parlor they suspect was used for prostitution.

[14] New England Patriots running back Dave Meggett's reaction, according to his lawyer, after being arrested on charges of sexual assault and robbery of a 33-year-old Toronto woman, who said Meggett continued to have sex with her after his condom broke and then "took back" some cash he had given her "as a gift."

[15]Meggett at the time of his arrest. He denies the assault and robbery charges.

[16] U.S. Olympic hockey player Jeremy Roenick, on the chairs that were damaged as part of the ransacking of three rooms by U.S. players at the Olympic Village in Nagano.

[17]More reasons Vaughn failed the sobriety tests, according to his lawyer. ( Vaughn was acquitted of the drunken driving charge.)

[18]John Spano, prospective New York Islanders buyer, reacting to charges from team owners that he did not have sufficient capital to acquire the team. Spano would later plead guilty in federal court to four counts of fraud for using phony documents to inflate his net worth.

[19]Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight, after engaging in a long shouting match with and then being ejected by Big Ten referee Ted Valentine, who has worked three of the last four Final Fours.

[20] Golden State Warriors guard Latrell Sprewell after choking his coach, P.J. Carlesimo, leaving the gym and then returning 20 minutes later and threatening to kill him.

[21]Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson on suspicions that he murdered his wife.