UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday. February 13. 1996
3B
Frazier getting ready for NFL
Former Cornhusker wants to be drafted only as a quarterback
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — Tommie Frazier's message to NFL coaches at the league's scouting combine is a simple one: He wants to play quarterback in the NFL.
The runner-up to Ohio State's Eddie George in votes for the Heisman Trophy and the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award isn't interested in being considered as a defensive back. And he also has no desire to be used in multiple roles on offense like Kordell Stewart was for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1905
Frazier holds the Nebraska record for career wins by a quarterback, total offensive yards and touchdowns, despite missing eight games in 1994 with blood clots.
However, Frazier operated in a run-oriented offense and he isn't considered highly in what is believed to be a weak group of quarterback prospects. This despite the fact that he accounted for 31 of Nebraska's 77 touchdowns last season as the Cornhuskers won their second consecutive national championship.
play quarterback," he said this weekend during a break from the three-day routine of the combine.
"I feel like I can go out there and get the job done. I've proved in college that I can
Frazier said he thinks the NFL is just another chance to prove himself.
"I'm ready to step up to the challenge," he said
He said some teams discussed using him like Stewart, who helped the Steelers
reach the Super Bowl while being utilized at quarterback, wide receiver and running back.
Tommie Frazier
"There were a couple that have, but the topic really changed and they started talking about quarterback," Frazier said. "My main goal is to be a quarterback. If that doesn't work."
then that's something I'll have to think about."
He said no team had talked to him about playing as a defensive back. But, he said if they did, he knows what he'd say.
"Don't draft me! I'm not a defensive player. I'm a quarterback. That's where I've been playing all my life. I don't see why I have to change." he said.
Frazier is not worrying about when or which team might select him in the April 20-21 draft.
"I don't know anything. All I can do is go out there and perform," he said. "I'm not worried about it. It's too early for players to worry about where their position is in the draft."
Frazier anticipates that changing from an option offense to the pro-style dropback game will be an adjustment he can handle.
"I know the transition will be hard. It was hard for me coming out of high school. It's going to be a transition for everyone," Frazier said. "I just want the opportunity to go out there and prove to teams that I can play quarterback. The biggest question mark is I can throw the ball 40 times a game? All the teams know I can throw the ball."
The combine ends today and then the 30 NFL teams will begin intensive review of the material gathered in interviews and physical, agility and psychological tests conducted on more than 330 participants who are hopeful of hearing their names called during the draft.
Like several players, Frazier declined to run the 40-yard dash on the turf of the RCA Dome.
"I don't feel it's necessary right now," he said, adding that his best time in the spirt was 4.5 seconds. "Most of the guys are going to do it in atmosphere where they feel comfortable, where they know they'll get the most out of their abilities."
Seahawks might not be flying south
NFL's Tagliabue claims Kingdome contract ties team to Pacific Northwest The Associated Press
LONDON — NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue reiterated his objection yesterday to the Seattle Seahawks' proposed move to Los Angeles and said he believed it could be stopped.
"We told the Seattle people last week that we thought they should be operating exclusively in the Pacific Northwest,
which is where they are franchised to operate and that it was inappropriate for them even to be practicing in Southern California," Tagliabue said yesterday during a promotional stop.
When Behring initially announced his intentions earlier this month, he said the Seattle King-
used by the Rams before they moved from Anaheim Stadium to St. Louis last year.
Seahawks owner Ken Behring responded by reaffirming his intention to move his franchise to Southern California.
In Los Angeles, Behring expressed surprise at Taglabue's comments.
"We have not heard any such statements directly from Commissioner Tagliabue or any other league official," he said. "In fact, the press reports this morning (from London) are directly at odds with supportive statements previously made to us by commissioner Tagliabue regarding the move of our franchise to Southern California.
"We have had meetings with Commissioner Taglalabe and his staff in recent weeks to discuss the fundamental structural problems with the Seattle Kidgome.
"They have a lease for the next 10 years with their stadium in Seattle."
dome, where the team has played its home games. was seismically unsafe.
Paul Tagliabue NFLcommissioner
We cannot believe that the NFL would want our fans and players, or the fans and players of other NFL teams, to be forced to play and attend games in a seismically unsafe stadium."
The Seahawks are expected to reach an agreement with Anaheim, Calif., in the near future to rent the practice facility
Tagllabue said that owners, including Behring, passed a resolution last year giving the NFL control over the team that moves into the Los Angeles market
He also stressed that the Seahawks' lease with the Kidstone expires in 2005.
Asked whether the the Seahawks' move could be blocked, Tagliabue said: "I think it's possible to stop them. We had a specific resolution that the membership adopted, and Seattle voted for it, relative to Los Angeles.
"They have a lease for the next 10 years with their stadium in Seattle. And if they have a legitimate safety issue which the courts unhold, then the
Paul Taglilabue
lease is a different question. Until that court case is decided, they are under a lease obligation to operate in Seattle. They're under an obligation with their franchise agreement with the league to operate in Seattle."
Behring said he believed the courts would decide that the franchise was no longer under obligation to play in the Kingdome due to what he called King County's breach of contract for use of the Kindome.
The Seahawks could become the fifth NFL franchise to change cities in the last year. The Raiders and the Rams left Los Angeles last year, the NFL last week approved the move of Art Modell's team from Cleveland to Baltimore, and the Houston Oilers plan to play next season in Tennessee.
Tagilabue spoke during and after a lunch of the American Chamber of Commerce in London. He is visiting Europe to promote the World League, a six-team developmental league backed by the NFL and the Fox television network.
Major league owners will vote on businessman's buyout of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball franchise
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — Major league owners are expected to end the Pittsburgh Pirates' 18-month search for a new buyer when they vote today on Kevin McClatchv's $50 million buvout.
McClatchay, a 38-year-old Sacramento, Calif., businessman who would become the majors' youngest owner, and NL president Len Coleman are expected to attend a news conference in Pittsburgh following the vote.
The 109-year-old Pirates franchise was put up for sale by its current 10-member consortium of corporations and private businessmen in August 1994. McClatchy, who now owns a minor league team, did not emerge as the front-runner until baseball rejected cable TV franchise owner John Rigas' offer last June.
Ten of the 14 NL owners and eight of the 14 AL owners must ratify the sale. The approval became almost certain when the ownership committee, whose representative is Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, unanimously recommended ratification.
McClatchy overcame a tight timetable — he was given only two weeks to assemble an ownership group and make his first offer — and an early lack of name recognition to raise $69 million in cash from more than a dozen investors.
McClatchy, who did not finalize the group until a week ago, will be the new ownership group's managing general partner and will be in charge of a five-member board of directors.
Vikings' Moon to face spousal abuse charge
Former Houston Oiler quarterback will not enter a guilty plea
The Associated Press
RICHMOND, Texas — Warren Moon heads to court today to face a spousal abuse charge pursued by prosecutors despite pleas from the quarterback's wife to drop the case.
The misdemeanor domestic violence case has taken several different turns in the seven months since Moon's panicked 7-
year-old son Jeffrey placed a 911 call.
With trial set to begin before Fort Bend County Court-At-Law Judge Larry Wagenbach, it has become a test of wills between Moon, who has refused to enter a guilty plea, and prosecutors who have threatened to put his wife, Felicia, and son on the witness stand.
"I'm very confident that it's going to work out OK," Moon said Sunday while attending the NBA All-Star game in San Antonio.
Felicia Moon repeatedlv
Healey refused to divulge how many times he has gone ahead with a domestic violence case despite a victim's refusal to press charges.
"I am not in the habit of going through our records and computers to answer general questions," Healey said.
has pleaded with Fort Bend County prosecutor John Healey to drop the misdemeanor assault charge, saying Healey is using his authority to take a private family matter public.
Moon has admitted that he "lost control" during an argument with Felicia Moon last July 18, but his lawyer says the Minnesota Vikings star he has rejected several plea offers.
"They want a trial. We're going to have a trial," lawyer Rust Hardin said.
The Moons and their four children have kept their primary residence in Missouri City in Fort Bend County, just south of Houston, ever since his days as a quarterback with the Houston Oilers.
"I just cannot live with somebody walking in and pleading guilty to something he's not guilty of."
The county, which boasts several high-income housing developments, is a favorite among sports celebrities.
Hakeem Olajuwon and several other members of the Houston Rockets live in it.
"I'm very confident that it's going to work out okay."
On the day of the attack, Felicia Moon
Warren Moon
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
a former board member for a Fort Bend County women's shelter told police her husband struck her on the head with an open hand and choked her to the point of losing consciousness.
She broke free and fled in her car. Moon pursued in a chase that reportedly reached speeds of 100 mph. Felicia Moore said
In the seven months of back-and-forth court filings, Felicia Moon has asked that the matter be dropped. She has said, in court papers, that she plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if called to testify.
she eluded her husband and returned to their home, where police were waiting.
Prosecutors have said they intend to grant Felicia Moon immunity from prosecution, forcing her to testify.
If she refuses, she could be jailed on a contempt charge.
Prosecutors also have threatened to force Jeffrey Moon, now 8, to testify. He and the couple's housekeeper, Elena Marie Morales, were the only witnesses to the incident.
The Associated Press
3. 0.6 m
Friends mourn wrestler's loss
"There's my daddy. He's still here," she shouted. "I can see him."
PHILADELPHIA — Shortly before the memorial service honoring slain Olympic wrestler David Schultz began, his 6-year-old daughter Danielle was pointing animatedly to a picture of her father.
Danielle was joined by other family members and hundreds of friends, fans and fellow athletes who gathered to pay tribute to Schultz, 36, who was fatally shot on the estate of millionaire John du Pont.
They remembered Schultz not as a much-publicized murder victim, but as devoted husband, father, friend and hero — a smiling, bearded and brilliant technician who had few equals in this ancient sport.
And by sharing their anecdotes and songs, as well as their tears, they celebrated his life and a career that included an Olympic gold medal, NCAA title, two world championships and numerous national titles.
Philip Schultz said his son was a gentle family man off the mat, but a fierce competitor when he put on a singlet, laced up his shoes and stepped into the circle as the Michelangelo of wrestling.
"Dave was my best friend. He taught me how to be a man, and I love him with a passion," he said, his massive shoulders trembling. "I just
"I am going to miss David Schultz for the rest of my life," he said. "I can't believe that such sweetness could be taken so swiftly out of our lives."
Mark Schultz, David's brother and a fellow 1984 Olympic gold medalist, sobbed uncontrollably when he spoke.
He also enjoyed bungee-jumping, rock climbing, sky diving, hunting and scuba diving. He was a religious man who didn't drink, sang country music, studied Tai Chi and taught himself to speak Russian.
Roger Reina, wrestling coach at the University of Pennsylvania, called Schultz a paradoxical folk hero. He was tough and sensitive as well as childish and wise. Reina said.
Not blessed with an exceptionally athletic physique, Schultz was known as "Pudge" in wrestling circles. He was later called "The Master," due to his unmatched knowledge of the sport.
Du Pont, 57, in Delaware County Prison without ball, was ordered held for trial on Friday. Nancy Schultz has testified that she was a witness to her husband's murder.
can't think of any tragedy that could exceed this, except that if justice is not served in this case."
Larry Sciachetano, president of USA Wrestling, said "Schultze" was the kind of guy who had 10,000 best friends. Schultz was the ambassador of wrestling — "A man who was cheered by the Russians and the Iranians as if he was one of their own," Sciacchetano said.
At the memorial, she sat with their children,
Alexander, 9, and Danielle. On Valentine's Day,
the couple would have celebrated their 15th
wedding anniversary.
"My best friend is gone forever," said Valentin Jordanov, a wrestler and coach at Foxcatcher, a wrestling club that du Pont founded. "My time with Dave were the six best years of my life. I miss you."
Schultz was reportedly planning to retire after the Atlanta Games, for which he was a top contender.
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