Steelers Sign Hawkins After Carrier’s Rejection

After being turned down by Carolina’s Mark Carrier, the Pittsburgh Steelers reached terms with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Courtney Hawkins on a three-year, $1.45 million contract.

Hawkins, who led the Bucs with 46 receptions for 544 yards last year, will receive a $100,000 signing bonus and a salary of $325,000 this season, $475,000 in 1998 and $550,000 in 1999. He also could make as much as $300,000 each year in incentives.

The Steelers wanted to sign a wide receiver to replace Andre Hastings, who signed last week with New Orleans, before their minicamp starts today.

The Chicago Bears released starting safety Mark Carrier after the seven-year veteran refused a sizable salary cut.

Carrier, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and the sixth overall pick in the 1990 draft, was to earn $1.3 million in the third year of a four-year deal. He rejected the team’s offer of about $600,000 for this season.

Former University of Montana football player Tim Hauck, a safety, has signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks, his agent Ken Staninger said.

Early polling places set up in four public housing projects have raised controversy in the upcoming vote for a new San Francisco 49ers stadium.

State Sen. Quentin Kopp said he would confer with the secretary of state’s office to see whether it is legal to set up “selective” early voting places.

Kopp told the San Francisco Examiner he also may seek a state investigation.