4B
Friday, March 1, 1996
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
O'Donnell leaves Steelers for Jets
The Associated Press
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The man who took Pittsburgh within a drive of winning the Super Bowl is now the quarterback of the team with the NFL's worst record.
Neil O'Donnell made it official yesterday. He took $25 million for five years, including a $7 million signing bonus, from the New York Jets and is returning to the area where he grew up rather than staying with the team he almost led to a championship.
He joins a team that has spent the first fortnight of free agency in an uncharacteristically aggressive style.
The Jets, 3-13 last season, enticed O'Donnell by signing tackles Jumbo Elliott and David Williams to shore up a poor offensive line. They are likely to take wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson of USC with the first pick in the draft to augment a receiving corps whose leader was Wayne Chrebet, a rookie free agent.
It was an agonizing choice for O'Donnell, a native of Madison, N.J., who grew up rooting for the New York Giants.
The numbers with the Jets were agreed upon Tuesday night, and O'Donnell seemed to be an hour away from signing a deal. With Pittsburgh's numbers far below New York's — they reportedly never went above three years at an average of about $3.5 million — he finally opted for the Jets.
"I gave Pittsburgh every opportunity to sign Neil O'Donnell," O'Donnell said. "It was a tough decision. It
really was. When you're one drive away from winning it all, you want to keep it intact."
"The salary cap changes everything," said his agent, Leigh Steinberg. "The salary cap breaks up happy marriages."
Even with the Jets' moves, they are considerably farther than one drive away from a title — even one in the AFC East, which they haven't won since 1969. But O'Donnell will have time — at 29, he's just entering what is normally the prime of a quarterback's career.
Last season, he completed 246 of 416 passes for 2,970 yards and 17 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. After he returned from a broken thumb sustained in the Steelers' opening game, he led them to 10 victories in 11 games, the only loss coming on a dropped pass on what would have been the winning touchdown.
But in the Super Bowl, he threw three interceptions, two setting up Dallas touchdowns. The second came with four minutes left after the Steelers, trailing just 20-17, had the ball with a chance to send the game into overtime.
That, however, didn't diminish his value on the free-agent market, particularly at least one of those throws wasn't his fault.
"Under normal circumstances, you don't have a Super Bowl quarterback come free," said Steinberg, who negotiated a package that trails only the deals signed by Troy Aikman, Steve Young and Drew Bledsoe. All three are also Steinberg clients.
Horoscopes
Today's Birthday (March 1).
Apply your experience to a difficult job in March. Don't hold back; be assertive. Ask for a raise in April, then buy a gift for your sweetie. Work could interfere with romance in July, and dominate your life in August. Don't complain; save and plan for a special trip in November instead.
A promotion's likely in December, if you're ready. A team effort wins in January. Leave your mind open and learn in February.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
You've done a good job this week. Today you're under less pressure, so relax. A friend can help you make a big decision.
Stop worrying about what option is best and just pick one. You can always take it back.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
You may be called on the carpet today.
If you've kept the company's best interests at heart, your boss will be proud. You may have to curtail your extra activities for awhile, though. Tonight,
go out dancing.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). There's a grand trine in fire
signs today, which is marvelous
for you. All your natural talents
are enhanced. Don't forget to do
a tedious job before quitting
time. Tonight, go out dancing.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).
Too much of your money may be spent before you get it. Make a plan today to keep more of it.
Share expenses with another to cut household costs. Cuddling on the couch is your best entertainment option tonight.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18).
OK, so you're a tad competitive.
Your reward for working so hard lately is the respect of your peers today. You're in great shape.
Tonight, play a game with your favorite partner that you can win.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20).
You may have a bit of catching to do at work today. Don't waste a minute. Follow a strong leader
precisely, and you'll make an excellent impression. That effort could turn into a raise at evaluation time.
Arles (March 21-April 19). A few things must be done before you start your next adventure. Finish them all or you'll never hear the end of it. You're doing fine in romance. If you're not wildly in love now, you soon will be. Work on that tonight.
Taurus (April 20-May 20).
It's a good time for you to buy real estate. Agreements made now should be solid, something you can build on. It's also a pretty good day to sell. A person on an ego trip will pay top price.
Gemini (May 21-June 21).
You're even more brilliant than usual. Your confidence level is high, too. Achieve the support of a person you admire by living up to your promise. Don't be intimidated and you'll put on a great performance.
You may be coming into some money from an old investment or a deal you share with a partner. Don't spend it before you get it. Going out tonight may be more expensive than you anticipated, but seeing a star would be worth it.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Happy March! It's coming in like a lion, since the moon is entering you resign this morning. Make the most of this rare opportunity. But don't antagonize an elderly cowworker, who could cause trouble.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
Share a tender moment with your true love early this morning, and start your day off right. Everyone makes demands on your time later. You could get a break in your love around dinnertime.
Tonight, do what your sweetie wants.
Note: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and are for entertainment purposes only.
DILBERT® By Scott Adams
Clemson football players suspended
IVE BEEN ASKED TO
FACILITATE THIS MEETING
I ALONE WILL DETERMINE
WHO CAN SPEAK.
The Associated Press
klims E-mail: SCOTTAD
I'D LIKE TO BEGIN WITH A RAW DISPLAY OF MY POWER. YOU MAY NOT SPEAK.
He said the university was reacting to
public pressure.
The (Columbia) State said that Verna Howell, Clemson's acting judicial officer, recommended in a letter to the players that they be suspended and forced off campus immediately.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for the players said they would plead not guilty.
U//dc. © 1995 UniH
Howell was unable to be reached for comment.
"There was no force, no threat, no anything," said attorney Christopher Olson. "Doesn't sound like a hot rape case to me."
The men remain enrolled in school and
"The university's function is to provide an education, and they're getting outside their function to try to determine guilt or innocence," he said.
School officials said criminal assault charges usually led to suspension, which would effectively terminate the players' scholarships. The players already have been placed on indefinite suspension.
The players, all freshmen, will have three chances to appeal the suspension: before a hearing board, the vice president of student affairs and Clemson's president.
in their dorm rooms.
The four students, Adrian Kennell Dingle, Eric Bernard Williams, Bennie K. Zeigler and Christopher Rice face felony charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree conspiracy to commit criminal sexual conduct.
They were arrested Feb. 20 and charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female student. Police said they forcibly restrained the freshman during the Feb. 15 incident.
Daniel Martin, a Charleston attorney representing the woman, said she was examined hours after the incident and suffered injuries during the alleged encounter.
Olson said two players had intercourse with the woman and both used condoms. He said the woman performed oral sex on three of the players. He said a fourth player was only fondled.
Olson said the use of condoms indicated consensual sex.
"The entire incident was absolutely not consensual," Martin said.
An annual court date was set for March 14 at the Pickens County Courthouse.
Jury convicts man accused of murdering Jordan's father
The Associated Press
LUMBERTON, N.C. — Daniel Green was convicted yesterday of killing Michael Jordan's father.
Green was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and conspiracy in the July 23, 1993, attack on James R. Jordan, who was slain as he napped in his $40,000 red Lexus given to him by his superstar son.
Jurors deliberated 4 1/2 hours during two days before returning guilty verdicts on all charges yesterday afternoon.
Green, 21, could face the death penalty.
The state's chief prosecution witness, Larry Martin Demery, testified that Green shot Jordan in the chest during a roadside holdup. He said the two then ditched the body in a swamp and went joy riding in Jordan's car.
Green later lore a watch and two NBA rings the Chicago Bulls star had given his father, even making a rap videotape of himself flaunting the jewelry.
Jordan's wife, Deloris, was absent from the trial. Michael Jordan did not testify.
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