Seahawks Defender Has Als
Glenn Montgomery, a reserve defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, a fatal neuromuscular ailment.
Those afflicted have a life expectancy of between two and five years.
Montgomery, 29, was a draft-day acquisition of the Seahawks in 1996 after seven years with the Houston Oilers. He played seven games with the Seahawks last season, starting one.
Montgomery’s illness was discovered during checkups after shoulder surgery last December.
“The Seahawks organization, coaches and players will do everything in our power to encourage and help him through this illness,” Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson said.
Montgomery and his wife, Dwannah, have two children, Glenn Jr. and Alexandria. They live in Houston.
Harbaugh laments injuries
The injury woes of linebacker Trev Alberts are hurting the Indianapolis Colts both on and off the field.
“I look at the situation, there’s something screwed up,” quarterback Jim Harbaugh said Friday. “You get tired of looking at the same guys on the sidelines and collecting paychecks. Something is obviously wrong.”
Alberts is scheduled to undergo surgery July 21 to reconstruct his right shoulder, which was originally injured during his college career at Nebraska.
The No. 5 pick in the 1994 draft has had only seven starts since signing a six-year contract valued at $8.15 million. He has discussed retiring this year.
“I’m saying it exactly how it is,” Harbaugh said. “At some point, we’ve got to find the guys that want to play.”
Smith wants even more
Bruce Smith opened training camp working out just like the rest of the Buffalo Bills, only he was in Virginia while they were getting ready for their first practice.
The defensive player of the year stayed at home on the advice of agent Leigh Steinberg after the Bills gave Smith a final contract offer worth $22 million over five years, including a $5 million signing bonus. Smith did not know how long he would hold out. He wants a bigger signing bonus.
“I’m not going to tolerate it,” Smith said. “I just wanted to be treated fairly and with respect so I can walk away with my dignity. They want to get something for nothing and take advantage of me.”