a statement posted on twitter last night, saying in part, "my words and demeanor on wednesday did not show how seriously i take relationship violence. i sincerely apologize. i understand my lack of more action in the situation has raised concerns about this commitment. let me say here and now what i should have said on wednesday, i sincerely apologize to courtney smith and her children for what they have gone through." buckeyes will open their season without meyer a week from today. college football season actually kicks off later on tonight. all right, pro bowl tight end julius thomas says he's retiring from football to pursue a ph.d in psychology, specifically to study degenerative brain disease cte, telling "the player's tribune" he will focus on investigating the effects of contact sports on brain trauma and neurobehavioral performance. now, thomas will also participate in research to identify early warning signs of brain disease.