Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 4, 1995 TAG: 9508040066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I think with Pittsburgh, the media is unfair to African-American players,'' Green told The Palm Beach Post for Thursday's editions. ``Look at the Pittsburgh system, whether it's baseball or football. Barry Bonds. Myself. Hardy Nickerson. Thomas Everett.
``There's this rash of things that go on in that city in the media that downgrades African-American people in professional sports.''
Green, a former Liberty University standout who signed with the Miami Dolphins in March as an unrestricted free agent, also criticized Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell and director of football operations Tom Donahoe.
Green said his complaints about racial bias concerned only the media. Pittsburgh fans are great, he said.
The Dolphins play the Steelers on Sept.18.
In other news:
SALAAM SIGNS DEAL: Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam agreed to a four-year, $3.8 million contract with the Chicago Bears. Salaam, the 21st player taken in April's draft, will arrive in Chicago today and won't play in the preseason opener against the Panthers.
Salaam left Colorado after his junior season, when he rushed for 2,055 yards with 27 touchdowns. He was the fifth running back selected in the first round.
DEADLINE FOR BETTIS: Jerome Bettis has until today to report to St.Louis Rams training camp, or his holdout could cost him a year's seniority under the collective bargaining agreement.
Bettis has rung up $56,000 in fines - $4,000 for each of the 14 days of camp he has missed. If he doesn't report to camp at least 30 days before the first regular-season game, he would not receive credit for an accrued season. The Rams open the season Sept.3 at Green Bay.
TURNBULL OUT: Renaldo Turnbull, expected to provide a strong pass rush for New Orleans, could miss up to five weeks of the regular season following surgery on a torn biceps tendon in his right arm.
REDSKINS SNUBBED: The courtroom battle over 16 Washington Redskins who refused to pay their union dues came to an end this week when the Supreme Court of Virginia refused to hear the case.
By rebuffing an appeal by the NFL Players Association, the court reaffirmed lower court rulings that the players, led by former Redskins tight end Terry Orr, had the right to withhold their dues under Virginia's right-to-work laws. The decision was announced Thursday at the Redskins' summer training camp.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB