[img_r]http://media.jsonline.com/images/446*600/mjs-driversoftball-p835_-mj.jpg[/img_r]Grand Chute Players don't like distractions.
Not on their time off when they are participating in a good cause like the Donald Driver charity softball game Sunday.
And definitely not when they have the talent and the ambition to pursue a Super Bowl this season.
But with Johnny Jolly's codeine case expected to have its day in court soon and now the latest incident involving a teammate, it seems as if the Green Bay Packers are going to have to deal with distractions.
Police are investigating a Packers player in connection with an alleged sexual assault of two women in Lake Delton on Saturday morning following a charity golf outing hosted by Clay Matthews in Wisconsin Dells. Police have not revealed the identity of the player, but sources have identified him as cornerback Brandon Underwood.
Matthews was one of six Packers questioned by police and then cleared of wrongdoing. Four of those players - Matthews, Josh Sitton, Matt Flynn and Brad Jones - played in Driver's game Sunday despite questions surrounding the case. They all felt they wanted to be a part of Driver's cause.
"We're all doing this for the fans, for good causes," said Sitton. "Something like this (incident) shouldn't deter you from coming."
The Packers said they did not expect the Jolly trial and the Underwood allegations to derail their focus, which is all about winning in 2010. The Packers are in the middle of off-season work, with two more weeks of organized team activities before the mandatory minicamp.
"I could care less about it," said Sitton. "When you put the pads on, it is football time and I don't think about any other (expletive), you know?"
Underwood had been scheduled to appear at Driver's game but did not show.
Lake Delton police continued to investigate the case Sunday and expect to forward reports to the district attorney by midweek, said Lake Delton Police Sgt. Steve Smith. No one was in custody Sunday.
The players who had been with Underwood in Lake Delton did not want to share specifics of what they told police.
"I was just there for a golf tournament," said Jones. "I had nothing to do with anything that supposedly happened. Obviously NFL players are targets, but I don't know what happened, honestly. I wasn't involved. I don't like that my name is even attached to something like that."
Flynn said the players cooperated with the police.
"It is unfortunate that my name is involved with all that," said Flynn. "We went down there for a golf tournament. I don't think we can talk about the legal stuff, but it's just unfortunate."
A source said the team was waiting for further developments in the investigation. In an e-mail to The Associated Press Sunday, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, "There is an active law enforcement investigation and we are monitoring developments. As with any such incident, it will be reviewed under the league's Personal Conduct Policy."
This is a popular time for charity appearances by the Packers, because they're around for practice and their schedule allows it. There had been concern that an incident like this would keep players from participating in charity events to avoid questions about situations in which they were not involved.
But the Packers insist they will still put their names behind worthy events. Matthews said the McGovern Charity Golf Tournament, which benefited the Tellurian's Teresa McGovern Center, was a success otherwise. Tellurian UCAN is a not-for-profit agency that treats patients with mental illness or addictions. Matthews hopes the accusations against Underwood don't hurt the event.
"We had an outstanding showing, amazing donors there. Celebrities showed up. It was a great auction. Overall it was a great day," Matthews said. "One person's misjudgment really put a damper on it. Hopefully this doesn't put a black eye on the tournament and the foundation, but I think for the most part I think it worked out this year, and next year, just be a little more careful. Hopefully we can learn from this and make correct decisions next time."
Players were thankful the allegations did not seem to overshadow the softball game. More than 7,100 fans showed up to Fox Cities Stadium, and the players constantly joked around with each other. To see T.J. Lang fielding balls in the outfield while wearing one of those inflated suits to make him look like a sumo wrestler was worth the price of admission.
Driver threw out every crazy pitch at the mound and then signed shirts and footballs tossed to him by fans. Matthews told the audience he used pineapple-scented shampoo on his golden locks.
Driver and his teammates were on the field for hours, for a game with their sponsors, a home run derby won by Flynn for the third straight year and then the featured game, offense against defense. Driver's offense won, 30-18. Someone probably should have told Sitton not to slide into third while stealing a base. But competitors don't really know how to scale back.
"We raised a good amount of money to help people out," said Driver.
He announced a $20,000 donation to Special Olympics of Wisconsin. Driver said in all the Donald Driver Foundation has helped 65 homeless families with rent and/or utilities and has given 19 scholarships to Wisconsin children who need financial aid.
"It was a great turnout," receiver James Jones said.