Steelers Trade Pegram

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League traded running back Erric Pegram to San Diego for a seventh-round draft choice in 1999, freeing up money to sign some of their top rookie picks.

Pegram, who has 3,303 rushing yards in six years with Atlanta and Pittsburgh, becomes the sixth tailback on San Diego’s roster heading into training camp.

Before the trade, the Steelers were $500,000 beneath their salary cap, not nearly enough to sign the six draft picks who do not have contracts.

Former Idaho Falls High School and University of Idaho football star Yo Murphy has signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal will pay Murphy the rookie minimum of $131,000 for the 1997 season and $164,000 for 1998. It includes a $5,000 signing bonus and the opportunity for nearly 20 performance bonuses.

The Buffalo Bills have re-signed veteran linebacker Mark Maddox, who lost his starting job last season and was released three weeks ago in a cost-cutting move.

Former Miami Dolphins receiver Duriel Harris is facing assault charges after being arrested for allegedly attacking an escort service employee in a hotel in El Paso, Texas.

Harris, 42, who was in town for a youth football camp, was arrested early Saturday after the woman accused him of striking her on the shoulders and neck with a clothes iron, according to police reports.

According to records, Harris attacked Beth Ann Buckley, 27, at the Marriott Hotel. Buckley works for Blaze-N Babes Entertainment.