Jerry Jones backs Ezekiel Elliott

July 24, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

OXFORD, CALIF.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reiterated his belief that star running back Ezekiel Elliott wasn’t guilty of domestic violence in a case the NFL has been investigating for a year.

Jones said Sunday on the eve of the opening of training camp that Elliott’s case was “not even an issue over he said-she said.” Elliott denied leaving bruises and abrasions on his ex-girlfriend last summer in Columbus, Ohio, where he was a standout for Ohio State. Prosecutors didn’t file charges.

While defending last year’s NFL rushing leader, Jones said he still didn’t want to speculate whether Elliott will get suspended after his involvement in a bar fight about a week before the team flew to California for camp.

Jones said Elliott’s situation and several other off-field issues have “absolutely no impact on the spirit, or the enthusiasm or the expectation,” going into camp for the defending NFC East champion.

Hall of Fame NBA coach dies at 101

MINNEAPOLIS

John Kundla, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships, died Sunday. He was 101.

Son Jim Kundla said his father died at an assisted living facility in Northeast Minneapolis that he has called home for years.

Kundla coached George Mikan and the Lakers in the 1940s and 1950s, helping them become the NBA’s first dynasty. He went 423-302 before retiring at the age of 42 and went on to coach his alma mater, the University of Minnesota.

Kundla was the oldest living Hall of Famer in any of the four major pro sports.

Kundla was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. A year later, he was named one of the league’s 10 greatest coaches as part of the league’s “NBA at 50” celebration.

Hight extends winning streak to 13 seasons

MORRISON, COLO.

Robert Hight beat Tommy Johnson Jr. on Sunday in the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway to extend his Funny Car victory streak to 13 seasons.

Hight topped Johnson with a 3.995-second pass at 317.57 mph in a Chevrolet Camaro SS for his 38th career victory.

“We definitely struggled through the first few rounds and we were lucky to get those round wins, but I have a great team who figured things out and helped get me to the winner’s circle,” Hight said. “It’s definitely a long-time coming and we hadn’t had much luck, but today we had some luck and we hope this continues throughout the Western Swing.”

Antron Brown won in Top Fuel, Drew Skillman in Pro Stock, and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Brown edged teammate and No. 1 qualifier Leah Pritchett with a 3.792 at 319.82. He has three victories this season to push his career total to 64.

Skillman raced to his second straight victory and the fifth of his career, beating points leader Bo Butner with a 6.916 run at 198.15 in a Camaro.

Krawiec topped Matt Smith with a 7.145 at 188.28. The Harley-Davidson rider has two victories this season and 38 overall.

Chelsea apologizes to China for player insult

LONDON

Chelsea apologized to China on Sunday for social media comments by Brazilian player Kenedy which it accepted “caused great offense and hurt the feelings” of the country during the Premier League champions’ pre-season tour.

The 21-year-old Kenedy has been “strongly reprimanded and disciplined” for the Instagram posts, Chelsea said. The since-deleted messages featured a profanity relating to China and a message mocking a security guard he photographed.

“Even though he quickly deleted the messages and apologized, and the club also apologized via our Chinese social media channels, the damage had already been done,” the London club said. “Chelsea Football Club once again solemnly and sincerely apologizes.

Staff/wire report