Colts’ Owner Irsay Suffers Stroke; Listed In Stable Condition

After refusing for hours to divulge the condition of owner Robert Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday said he had a stroke.

In a three-sentence statement, the team said Irsay, 72, was stricken Wednesday night, and he is conscious and in stable condition at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis.

Irsay was taken to the hospital’s emergency room at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Hostetler, Means still out

Vince Evans will replace Jeff Hostetler as Oakland’s starting quarterback for the second straight week when the Raiders face Kansas City in an AFC West showdown.

Raiders coach Mike White said Hostetler was given a strength test - bench-pressing 180 pounds - to determine if his bruised left shoulder was improved enough for him to return to action, but Hostetler failed the test.

Chargers running back Natrone Means likely will miss Sunday’s home game against Cleveland after his status was downgraded from questionable to doubtful.

“I’m not really into spectating,” said Means, who once was the AFC’s leading rusher with 724 yards.

He’s missed three starts and nearly four full games since straining a groin muscle five plays into a loss to Miami on Nov. 5.

The Houston Oilers placed defensive lineman Ray Childress and safety Marcus Robertson on injured reserve and signed reserve tight end James McKeehan and running back Dennis Lundy.

Miami fans sound off

In a poll taken by the Miami Herald, of almost 10,000 calls, 79 percent voted to replace coach Don Shula. Almost 21 percent voted to keep Shula.

Voters also were asked was whether they would like to have former Dallas Cowboys and University of Miami coach Jimmy Johnson hired as head coach next season.

Predictably, almost 78 percent of the callers voted to hire Johnson.

Off the playing field

The Cleveland Browns’ planned move to Baltimore prompted some legislators to propose a bill that would make it harder for professional sports franchises to relocate.

Sen. John Glenn D-Ohio introduced the Fans Rights Act in the Senate. Rep. Louis Stokes introduced a version in the House.

The NFL has pushed back the due date for payment of a relocation fee that was part of the deal allowing the Rams to move to St. Louis, as city officials try to negotiate a smaller payment. The $20 million fee from the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission was originally due Nov. 22. The deadline has been extended to Dec. 7.