49ers Quarterback Accepts The Apology Of Trash-Talking Mayor
Elvis Grbac received word Wednesday he would start for the 49ers in place of injured Steve Young, and then he had some words for his harshest critic, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
Clearly trying to restrain his emotions, Grbac said he had no personal contact with Brown but accepted the mayor’s apology - made in calls to local radio stations - over Brown’s description of Grbac as “an embarrassment to humankind.”
“I thought it was kind of below the belt and it was maybe a little too personal, even if he didn’t know anything about my situation with my son,” said Grbac, whose child is fighting a serious illness. “I think it was really uncalled for, just out of respect for somebody else.”
Grbac revealed Monday his 9-month-old son, Jack, suffers from spina bifida and underwent major surgery to correct spinal problems two weeks ago. He had acknowledged he wasn’t ready to play Sunday, when he threw two costly interceptions in relief of Young in San Francisco’s 20-17 overtime loss to Dallas, because he had been consumed by worry over his son.
Brown, in France this week to sign a friendship agreement between Paris and San Francisco, made the critical remarks of Grbac on Tuesday in a conference call. He also said he wouldn’t let Grbac play in a new 49ers stadium “that I’m going to assist to be built.”
The mayor was unaware at the time that Grbac and his wife, Lori, have been dealing for months with their son’s illness. He said he was reacting like a fan to Grbac’s two-interception performance, and after some lukewarm apologies made clear he regretted his remarks.
Minnesota’s Brad Johnson will start at quarterback for injured Warren Moon on Sunday at Oakland, David Dixon will replace the struggling John Gerak at right guard and Leroy Hoard will be the starting running back for a team that is averaging 25 yards on the ground the last three games.
Washington Redskins running back Terry Allen did not practice Wednesday because of his sore right ankle, but said he expects to play in Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.