Irate Deion Returns Fire On Media
Deion Sanders finally had an impact with the Dallas Cowboys, but it didn’t help them win a game.
The $35 million cornerback lost his usual cool in the Cowboys locker room at Valley Ranch on Wednesday, ripping media coverage that has been critical of coach Barry Switzer following a 20-17 loss to Philadelphia.
Of course, Sanders was also angry because his salary keeps popping up in newspaper articles.
“This was a team loss and nobody should take the blame,” said Sanders, who broke his month-long code of silence by seeking out cameramen and local writers. “How can you blame Barry Switzer? A coach doesn’t win or lose games.
“The last coach I saw on the field was Woody Hayes. Players are on the field and that’s why they make the money they make. A coach is on the sidelines and that’s why he makes the money he makes.”
Sanders, who left San Francisco to sign with Dallas this season, continued in defense of Switzer, who has been the talk of the NFL for his decision to go for a first down twice on fourth-and-1 from the Dallas 29 in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. The play failed and the Eagles won.
Dressed in his Cowboy sweats, Sanders picked out certain writers who had written articles he didn’t like. One such target was Dallas Morning News columnist Randy Galloway, who wrote Switzer should be fired.
He told Galloway “Everytime you write about me you have to put dollar signs by my name. Why don’t you put what you make by your picture when you write a story?”
“That would be all right with me,” Galloway answered jokingly. “I make $14 million a year.”
Sanders was paid a $13 million bonus by owner Jerry Jones to defect from San Francisco to Dallas.
White out for season
Reggie White, the NFL’s all-time sack leader, was declared out for the season with a hamstring injury that requires surgery. White, who will turn 34 on Dec. 19, was hurt in a Dec. 3 game against Cincinnati at Lambeau Field. He did not play last weekend at Tampa Bay, the first time in his 11-year, 166-game NFL career he missed a game because of injury.
Packer investigated
Charles Jordan Jr. of the Green Bay Packers, under investigation by federal authorities for possible links to a cocaine deal, said he has done nothing wrong and does not mind the review.
“I guarantee you they won’t find anything dirty on me,” the wide receiver and kick returner said.
A prosecutor said the player’s name came up Monday, when Willie Toris Smith of Selma, Ala., testified Jordan had paid his $622 airfare for a flight from Los Angeles to Montgomery.
Federal authorities said Smith, 23, and a cousin of Jordan claimed a suitcase containing three kilograms of cocaine after the plane landed.
The player’s father, Charles Jordan, allegedly picked up Smith and the cousin, Aaron Robinson of Los Angeles, at the airport in a rented vehicle.
Smith was convicted of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it. The elder Jordan has been wanted on cocaine charges since last month, when Robinson pleaded guilty. The younger Jordan, a third-year pro from Los Angeles, said he was unaware he was under investigation or that his father was wanted.
Rams’ Miller out for year
Concussion-prone quarterback Chris Miller is out for the season, but he’s not ready to call it a career.
Neurosurgeons in St. Louis and Seattle have told Miller it would be risky to play any more this season. The St. Louis Rams then placed the 30-year-old player on injured reserve. But Miller said getting knocked unconscious on his fifth concussion in 15 months won’t deter him.
“The last thing you want to do is have someone tell you that you need to retire on their terms,” Miller said. Mark Rypien will start against Washington on Sunday.
McNair to start
Rookie Steve McNair will make his first NFL start for the Houston Oilers against the New York Jets. Coach Jeff Fisher was impressed with McNair’s performance in last Sunday’s 24-17 loss to Detroit.
“If he had responded differently, if he’d been intimidated, I might be concerned,” Fisher said.
McNair completed 16 of 27 passes for 203 yards with one touchdown and one interception.