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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Moon Hurts Wife, She Says Vikings Qb Downplays Incident, But Da Could Pursue Charges

From Wire Reports

The wife of Warren Moon has accused the Vikings quarterback of striking her on the head with an open hand and choking her to the point that she almost lost consciousness before she escaped from the couple’s home.

Felicia Moon stated in an affidavit to police that Moon assaulted her Tuesday afternoon at their home in the Houston suburb of Missouri City.

“You could tell she had been assaulted. … She received some injuries,” said Lt. Pat Worrell of the Missouri City police department’s criminal investigation unit. Worrell would not elaborate on the injuries.

Felicia Moon told police “at this time she did not wish” to pursue criminal charges, but Worrell said the district attorney’s office will determine whether charges will be filed.

Moon, in a statement released late Wednesday in Houston, blamed the incident on a “strain in our marriage.”

“This was a very unfortunate incident between two people who have loved each other for a very long time and are having some personal problems,” Moon told KPRC-TV in Houston earlier in the day. “These personal problems my wife and I need to work out in private, and not in the media. My wife and I got into an argument. It was not a case of domestic violence. It was a domestic dispute.”

Vikings president Roger Headrick, already forced to respond to off-season allegations of sexual harassment against Moon, coach Dennis Green and assistant coach Richard Solomon, expressed shock and anger at Wednesday’s news.

“This is my personal view: I’m shocked. I’m totally dismayed,” Headrick said. “It is virtually unbelievable that anyone in his position, with his maturity, if it’s true - and I’m just going on what I’ve heard - it’s totally unacceptable behavior.

“If her statement’s substantiated, it’s totally unacceptable behavior; he needs help, apparently,” Headrick said. “Anybody who does this needs help. I can’t believe it.”

Worrell said the Missouri City dispatcher received a 911 call from the Moon family residence at 1:09 p.m. Tuesday. That 911 call is expected to be released by police today. The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday the call came from one of the Moons’ four children.

“The caller said there was an assault in progress,” Worrell said.

Worrell said Moon could face a Class A misdemeanor assault, which carries a $4,000 fine and as much as one year in jail.

Worrell said he was not aware of any previous disputes involving Moon and his wife, who have been married for 14 years and have children ranging in age from 13 to 6.

In 1994, Warren and Felicia Moon were named honorary chairs of the Fort Bend County Women’s Center’s educational and supportive programs for battered women and their children.

“Unfortunately, yesterday a heated argument occurred,” Moon said in his statement. “I’m very sorry it happened. Felicia and I both love each other and will work to move in a positive direction with God in our life.”

Bengals sign Carter

Ki-Jana Carter, the top pick in the draft, agreed to a seven-year contract with Cincinnati, ending a two-day holdout.

The contract includes a $7.1 million signing bonus, the biggest ever for an NFL rookie. The contract also includes three “voidable years” that are likely to reduce it to a four-year deal, leaving Carter a potential free agent in 1999.

With annual incentives, the sevenyear deal totals $19.2 million.

Emtman visits Dolphins

Miami got a visit from former Indianapolis defensive lineman Steve Emtman and good news from doctors who examined the injured shoulder of newly acquired tight end Eric Green.

Coach Don Shula confirmed Emtman, who was released Saturday by the Colts, was in South Florida to undergo a physical and meet with team officials.

“We’re going to evaluate him, look at him, talk to him after the physical to see what his interest is in us, if any, and see what our interest is in him,” the coach said.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman was the first pick overall in 1992 draft out of Washington. Emtman, who has suffered major injuries to both knees, cleared waivers Monday to become a free agent.

His agent, Los Angeles attorney Marvin Demoff, confirmed Tuesday that Emtman also had preliminary talks with the Seahawks.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins breathed a bit easier at learning the injury to Green in Tuesday afternoon’s practice was nothing more than a bruised shoulder. He was injured when he hit the ground trying to catch a Dan Marino pass.

Garner denies report

Eagles running back Charlie Garner denied a published report that he tested positive for marijuana in the off-season and vowed to rekindle his pro football career.

“I’m not involved with this,” said Garner, who is expected to be at West Chester (Pa.) University today for the first day of training-camp practice. “My name will be cleared. I am waiting now to hear from my attorney as to how we will pursue this matter.”

The Philadelphia Daily News reported Tuesday that Garner had tested positive for marijuana in an unannounced NFL test and faced a suspension of four to six games because of a previous violation of the league’s drug policy. Garner tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine in February 1994. On Tuesday, officials from the NFL, the Eagles and the NFL Players Association all denied that Garner faced a suspension.

One Eagles player, Bernard Williams, has admitted testing positive for marijuana in the off-season and has acknowledged that he might be suspended. Wednesday, the offensive tackle was not talking publicly.

Mike Mamula, the seventh pick in this year’s draft, didn’t have a lot to say after arriving at the Eagles’ camp after signing a four-year, $6.5 million contract that includes a $2.8 million signing bonus.

“I think I could be pretty good,” Mamula offered.

Saints boot Andersen for now

Kicker Morten Andersen, a 13-year veteran and the leading scorer in Saints history, fell victim to the salary cap when the team terminated the remaining two years of his contract.

Coach Jim Mora said efforts will begin immediately to negotiate a new contract to keep Andersen, a free agent, on the team.

Andersen’s salary would have been $985,000 this year and counted $1.2 million toward the salary cap because of rollover money, including bonuses, earned in 1994 and payable this year.

Around the league

San Francisco defensive end Troy Wilson, injured in Monday’s opening practice, could miss up to six weeks because of a dislocated right shoulder, 49ers coach George Seifert said. … Chicago signed guard Evan Pilgrim, a third-round draft pick out of Brigham Young, and second-year cornerback James Burton to three-year contracts.

Buffalo linebacker Cornelius Bennett signed a one-year contract worth $3.09 million and appeared eager to get started with his new role on a reshaped defense. The speedy Bennett most likely will line up behind Bruce Smith on the right side, a position vacated by Darryl Talley, with Bryce Paup on the left. … Indianapolis defensive back Ray Buchanon ended any thoughts of a holdout, reporting to Colts camp with a half-hour to spare. Buchanon, who said he still isn’t satisfied with his contract, reported to the Anderson (Ind.) University facility, but set a Friday deadline to iron out differences with the Colts.

Dallas signed cornerback Alundis Brice, a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi, to an unspecified contract. … Oakland does not expect defensive end Scott Davis to return, and new Raiders coach Mike White said former star tight end Todd Christensen won’t return. The 39-year-old Christensen, a former Pro Bowl player for the Raiders, had submitted a letter to team owner Al Davis expressing a desire to return.