Somehow, NFL Rookie Will Survive
An Associated Press report from Ohio identifies a $2.5 million signing bonus as the stumbling block in Antonio Langham's contract negotiations with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
Langham's agent and uncle, Percy Goode, wanted $2 million up front. The Browns wanted to give Langham, a rookie cornerback from Alabama, $500,000 up front and $2 million in March.
Langham ended a 20-day holdout last week when he signed a $4.6 million contract, agreeing to the smaller up-front amount.
"I figured I could survive with half a million dollars until March 1995, maybe longer," he said.
GROWING OLD
Joe Gilliam Sr., former Tennessee State football coach, says there is discrimination worse than that based on race.
Gilliam, a 67-year-old African American, was fired recently by school President James Hefner for being too old to relate to his players.
"I can survive (racial) discrimination, but the one that you cannot survive is age discrimination," he said.
THEY SAID IT
-- Bobby Bowden, 64-year-old Florida State football coach, on speculation a rule-breaking scandal involving FSU players might drive him into retirement: "This is part of the business. If you don't like it, get out. Well, I'm not ready to get out."
-- Former football star Alex Karras, on his golf game: "My best score is 103, but I've only been playing 15 years."
-- Chet Coppock, New York talk-show host, on the Detroit Lions' signing of former Miami Dolphin quarterback Scott Mitchell: "I think Scott Mitchell will be the biggest free-agent bust in the history of the NFL."
-- Center John Gesek, Washington Redskins, when asked what position he'd like to play in any sport if given the choice: "Designated hitter, in a pennant race and making about $7 million a year."
Compiled by Chuck Ashmun, Seattle Times