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Kaepernick fined for inappropriate language

By WTOP Staff

JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick said Wednesday he has been fined more than $11,000 by the NFL and he will appeal the penalty for what an official called “inappropriate language” by the 49ers quarterback following a fourth-quarter interception in Sunday’s 28-20 loss to the Bears.

Kaepernick reiterated that he did nothing wrong when he and Chicago defensive end Lamarr Houston went at it — and Kaepernick points to Houston’s comments that the quarterback didn’t say anything offensive or out of line. Kaepernick shoved Houston.

“It will be appealed,” Kaepernick said. “I didn’t say anything. Lamarr Houston said I didn’t say anything. We’re going to leave it at that.”

Side judge Laird Hayes threw the flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Houston told the Chicago Tribune after the game that he hadn’t heard anything from Kaepernick and that he had said something to the quarterback after the first of two late interceptions by rookie Kyle Fuller that helped rally the Bears.

“I said, ‘Nice pass,'” Houston said.

Because of Houston’s comments, Kaepernick believes he has a case for an appeal.

“The player that I supposedly said something to has been quoted saying that I didn’t say anything, and I don’t know him, so it’s not like he would have a reason to just randomly stick up for me,” Kaepernick said.

In the letter from the league informing him of the fine, Kaepernick said there was no explanation as to what Hayes claims the quarterback said.

Coach Jim Harbaugh sought his own explanation and has heard from the NFL that there won’t be a change to the call.

“Colin says he didn’t say anything, this person says what they say and somebody else heard something else,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t have a stance. You can only imagine. I don’t have a stance because I don’t know, I didn’t hear it. Colin’s always been truthful 100 percent of the time.”

Now, everybody is trying to move forward and focus on a key division game for the 49ers (1-1) at NFC West-leading Arizona (2-0) on Sunday.

Kaepernick has plenty on his mind following one of his worst performances as a pro. He threw three interceptions — two in the final period — and lost a fumble. In just his second full season as a starter, he expects more from himself, especially after signing a $126 million, six-year contract extension in early June.

Kaepernick’s 57.0 passer rating was his fourth-lowest as a starter. He had three last season that were lower, including a career-worst 20.1 rating in a Week 2 loss at Seattle last September.

“It’s a new week,” Kaepernick said. “We have to play better.”

His leadership in meetings and at practice hasn’t wavered if you ask his teammates.

“He’s a competitor,” said rookie wide receiver Bruce Ellington, whose cousin is Cardinals running back Andre Ellington. “He’ll come out to prove everybody who’s shooting him down that he can come out and get a win.”

Kaepernick was 21 for 34 for 248 yards and a touchdown and was also sacked four times.

Last season, he led two wins against the Cardinals, including a wild 23-20 road victory to end the regular season that gave the 49ers a six-game winning streak to take into the playoffs.

“We all understand we’re in the bouncing back business. That’s part of our job description,” Harbaugh said. “Nobody does it better than our team. Tough loss, fortunately we’re a tough team.”

Harbaugh was asked again about keeping defensive lineman Ray McDonald on the field while he is being investigated for domestic violence.

“We’re following a process and our position is well-stated,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not in contact with the NFL on this matter.”

Notes: TE Vernon Davis hobbled to the weight room on crutches as he nurses an injured ankle. Davis’ status is unclear, but Harbaugh offered “feel like we dodged a bullet with Vernon,” on the injury not being serious. … RT Anthony Davis, who has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, worked out on a side field.

___

AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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