Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable isn't talking about reports he punched defensive assistant Randy Hanson in the jaw and caused injuries that required treatment at a hospital earlier this month.
However, multiple sources have told NFL Network that it was Cable who threw the punch. A report on Fanhouse.com also named Cable as the assailant, citing two NFL sources.
When asked about the alleged incident following Monday's practice, Cable declined to discuss his involvement. "It's an internal issue that we're dealing with, and that's all I'm going to say," Cable said.
The NFL on Tuesday told NFL Network's Jason La Canfora that it is investigating the issue.
Cable spoke for fewer than 60 seconds on Monday regarding the incident. He answered four questions before reporters were cut off by a member of the Raiders' public relations department.
Randy Hanson,Defensive assistant
Oakland Raiders
Age: 41
Experience: Vikings, 2003-05; Rams, 2006; Raiders, 2007-present
Many players said they were unaware of any altercation, but at the beginning of Monday's practice when they were stretching, several broke out into a chant of "Cable, bumaye, Cable, bumaye" in reference to the crowd chants heard by former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali during his 1974 fight against George Foreman.
"I don't even know what they were saying," cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha joked. "I think there's still some guys who don't even know. I found out as I was coming out on the field. Guys were finding out here and there. It wasn't like a big announcement, so the reaction wasn't like a collective reaction. People were like, 'What's going on?' trying to find out, but no one really knew."
Hanson was treated in a Napa hospital emergency room on Aug. 5, telling police he was struck by a member of the staff during a meeting earlier that day, sources told NFL Network's Jason La Canfora.
Napa police Lt. Brian McGovern confirmed to La Canfora that a member of the Raiders staff claimed to police that he was injured by another staff member, but McGovern would not name the victim and would not release the report itself, citing confidentiality.
However, according to a police source and another source with knowledge of the situation, La Canfora reports Hanson was the Raiders staffer treated in the emergency room at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, Calif., near the Raiders' training camp site, on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
A police report was filed from the hospital early the following morning, around 1 a.m. PT on Aug. 6, when police arrived, but no charges have been filed as of this time, McGovern said.
Numerous attempts to reach Hanson were unsuccessful. Raiders senior executive John Herrera, when asked about the police report, said, "It's an internal matter and will be handled as such."
Hanson told police he was struck by a member of the staff during a meeting at the team's hotel in Napa and that he decided to seek medical attention when pain in his jaw was too severe for him to sleep. Law enforcement officials were dispatched to Queen of the Valley Medical Center by hospital personnel, and not Hanson himself, McGovern said, as is mandated in cases where assault is suspected. The extent of any injuries is not detailed on the report, as X-Rays had not yet been read to determine whether or not the victim had suffered a broken jaw, McGovern confirmed.
According to police, the victim in such a case has up to six months to report a misdemeanor assault. If his jaw was broken, that would constitute a felony, and the victim would have up to a year to press charges.
Hanson, 41, is in his third year with the Raiders. He also spent one year with St. Louis and three years with Minnesota.
Hanson was suspended last season by Kiffin after Hanson was critical of the team's effort in a season-opening loss to Denver.
Raiders owner Al Davis intervened on Hanson's behalf and later fired Kiffin.
Hanson was working with the defensive backs, but hasn't been seen at the team's training camp facilities since shortly after the fight supposedly took place.
"I know he's been around here but we really haven't seen him that much," safety Hiram Eugene said. "They keep him in the offices."
Asked if Hanson was still employed by the team, Cable again declined comment.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.
