Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 24, 1990 TAG: 9007240116
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium
"I am innocent," said Sanders, a five-year pro who had 80 receptions for 1,138 yards and four touchdowns last season. "Right now, a lot of negative things have been said about me. I would never hurt a fly, and I want people to know that I'm still a good guy."
Sanders has admitted to arguing with a parking lot attendant about why two hubcaps were missing from the Cadillac Fleetwood he had parked in the lot of the topless bar.
Sam Jamus, the parking lot supervisor, then approached Sanders. He and Sanders argued, then Sanders got into his car.
Jamus says Sanders ran him down, knocking him over the hood and onto the pavement. He went to a Houston hospital, where he said he was treated for a concussion.
Sanders says any contact between the two was initiated by Jamus, who he says slapped the car as Sanders drove by.
"My lawyer has told me not to say anything more about the case," Sanders said. "But I am innocent."
The police were not called to the scene the night of the incident. Both sides say they have witnesses to substantiate their version of the incident.
Sanders described Jamus' attempt at a settlement as "a case of greed, I think."
"I think it's kind of strange that they waited three months, then two days before training camp, they bring it up," Sanders said. "It really upset me."
Jamus' attorney, Tom Hall of San Antonio, said his client did not file a civil complaint until after all attempts at reaching a settlement had been exhausted.
"But they didn't take us seriously," he said. "We did mention a dollar amount to them, but they had no intention of talking because there was no admission of guilt. We believe Mr. Sanders intentionally injured Mr. Jamus."
Despite the severity of the charge, neither Sanders nor his teammates seemed to be taking it particularly seriously.
"They've been calling me `A.J. Foyt,' " Sanders said, referring to his supposedly speedy getaway from the club that night.
When someone mentioned that there might be something wrong with Sanders' vision if he could only graze someone he was supposedly intentionally trying to hit, Sanders laughed.
"I did find myself saying, `Hoo, boy, that ball is getting to me awful quick today,' " he said.
However, he turned serious when the subject of the public's perception of him was broached.
"I've talked to a lot of people, coaches, players, staff, fans," he said. "The people who know me know what's going on. I hear people say I'm doing drugs. Shoot. Test me right now. I'm the cleanest person in the world."
\ NOTES: All Plan B signees were supposed to be in camp Monday. James Wilder, the former Tampa Bay running back, was not. Gibbs said he excused Wilder because he was moving his family into the Washington area and needed extra time. "Besides, he's a 10-year veteran," Gibbs said. "What was I going to gain?" Wilder probably won't show up until the rest of the veterans report Sunday. . . . Free-agent center Byron Forsythe became the camp's first casualty. Near the end of the morning session, Forsythe had to be helped off the field after suffering an ankle injury. He left the trainer's office on crutches. . . . With Andre Collins reporting in time for the morning session, the Redskins were forced to waive a player to stay at the NFL limit of 80 signed players. Cut was Derrick Richie, a rookie free-agent cornerback from Texas A&M. . . . Bob Woolf, the agent for defensive end Dexter Manley, was unable to contact Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on Monday and ask him to grant Manley permission to play for a Canadian Football League team until his drug-related suspension expires in November. Manley wants to play in Canada, but no team will sign him because he still has six games remaining on his contract with the Redskins. . . . Former University of North Carolina star Kelvin Bryant, out all last season with a neck injury suffered in an auto accident, made it through both practices without getting hurt. Bryant even took a couple of hits after catching passes out of the backfield. After one hard tackle, Bryant held the ball aloft triumphantly before returning to the huddle for the next play. . . . Free-safety candidate Brad Edwards, who played for Minnesota last season, made an impressive interception during the morning drills. It was exactly the type of play the coaching staff hopes to see more of as they attempt to give Todd Bowles all the competition he can handle. B6 B4 SANDERS Sanders
by CNB