Joining Steelers' ownership excites Stallworth - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Joining Steelers' ownership excites Stallworth
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, April 9, 2009
As his Super Bowl exploits attest, John Stallworth has a knack for rising to the
occasion. Therefore, it is not surprising that Dan and Art Rooney II approached
Stallworth as they were trying to keep the Steelers in the only family that has
ever owned the franchise.
Their meeting with Stallworth last November led to the Pro Football Hall of
Famer becoming the most high-profile member of the investment group the
Rooneys are putting together, as they restructure ownership to comply with
NFL rules.
The two sides are working out details, but Stallworth told the Tribune-Review he
officially expects to become a limited Steelers partner within the next two
months.
"I could not be more excited about the opportunity," said Stallworth, who
became a successful businessman after playing for the Steelers from 1974-87.
"Didn't see it coming. I thought about it, I prayed about it and talked to my wife,
and we thought it would be a good opportunity."
Stallworth first talked about the opportunity with the Rooneys when he returned
to Pittsburgh for the Steelers' Nov. 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
When Dan and Art Rooney II announced the addition of Stallworth to their
ownership group near the end of March, it did not come as a surprise to his
former teammates.
"Trust me, Dan doesn't just ask anybody to be an owner," said former Steelers
safety Donnie Shell, who is close friends with Stallworth. "He knows we came in
and loved that organization."
His desire to keep the Steelers in the Rooney family -- Dan and Art II are buying
some or all of the shares that Dan's four younger brothers have in the team -played a significant part in Stallworth agreeing to join the new ownership group.
"I think that's in the best interests of the Steelers," Stallworth said, "and
certainly in the best interests for the city of Pittsburgh and the team staying a
part of the city."
Stallworth is one of the most beloved players in Steelers history in part because
of his heroics in two of the four Super Bowls the team won in the late 1970s.
Stallworth had more than 100 yards receiving in victories over the Dallas
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Joining Steelers' ownership excites Stallworth - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, and his iconic touchdown catch against the
latter gave the Steelers the lead for good in Super Bowl XIV.
Stallworth is still prominent in the Steelers' record books and leads the team
with 25 career 100-yard receiving games.
Stallworth had been the president and CEO of Madison Research Corp., in
Huntsville, Ala., before selling the technology company in 2006. He is currently
a partner in Genesis II, which manages charitable organizations started by
Stallworth and various business associates.
His new position with the Steelers might compel Stallworth to attend more
home games, but he said he doesn't expect to an active role as far as running
the team.
"No, no, no. I'm an investor," Stallworth said. "The day-to-day, year-to-year
management of the Steelers will stay with the Rooneys."
Note: University of North Carolina tight end Richard Quinn became the latest
college prospect to visit the Steelers when he met with coaches Wednesday at
the team's South Side practice facility. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Quinn played
sparingly at North Carolina and had only 12 catches for 124 yards and a pair of
touchdowns during his career.
Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.
Images and text copyright © 2009 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com
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North Carolina tight end visits Steelers
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NEWS / BREAKING NEWS
North Carolina tight end visits Steelers
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Richard Quinn, A 6-4, 260-pound tight end from North Carolina, is visiting the Steelers today. He is one of 30 college
prospects expected to visit the team's headquarters on the South Side.
Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected]
First published on April 8, 2009 at 11:36 am
Steelers Collectibles
North Carolina Rentals
6-Time Super Bowl Champions Must Have
Memorabilia
Wide selection of Vacation Rentals. Luxury to
Budget in Ocean Isle.
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Draft Gems: Will Jennings' small-school skills translate? - USATODAY.com
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By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY
USA TODAY takes a weekly look beyond the obvious first-round choices in the NFL draft to
find Draft Gems, players who are not household names but who have a chance to make an
impact for their new teams once the April 25-26 draft is over.
THE TOP 500: Track the risers and fallers in the draft
MOCK DRAFT: Our analysts project the first round
Matt Forte, a second-round pick for Chicago, was among our Gems last year before he ran
wild as a 1,000-yard rusher for the Bears. Then again, past performance does not guarantee
future results.
Here are two more Gems, one on defense, one on offense:
RASHAD JENNINGS, RB
• Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 232
• School: Liberty
• Hometown: Forest, Va.
• Key statistics: Established Big South rushing records in senior season with 1,500 yards, 263
attempts and 17 TDs. Averaged 136 yards rushing in 2008.
PHOTOS: Best running backs available
• College highlights: Rushed for 3,633 yards, a Big South record, in three seasons at Liberty
after transferring from Pittsburgh to be closer to his ailing father, who lost a leg to diabetes.
Placed second all-time in league history in rushing TDs (42), rushing yards per attempt (5.74),
rushing attempts (633) and all-purpose yards (4,155). Ran for 411 yards, second on the club,
for Pittsburgh in 2005.
• Upside: Combines size with the elusiveness of a lighter man. Receiving skills improved
steadily. Has a nose for the end zone. Ranked sixth nationally by averaging 10.36 points per
game in 2008. Willingness to transfer to help family speaks highly of character.
• Downside: Hard to gauge talent level because he excelled against lesser competition. Weighed 265 pounds at the start of
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his college career, so weight can be an issue. Not called on to block very often. Will have to develop pass protection skills.
Despite production, some have questioned his willingness to grind out tough yards.
• Projected round: Third
• What they're saying: "Obviously, his time here as a player and a student was extraordinary. His records speak for
themselves. This is a man of strong character and conviction. I think he does possess the complete package. He's what a lot
of teams are looking for." —Danny Rocco, Liberty head coach
"His production was outstanding at the small-school level, but I'd like to see more power, more of a physical nature to him. In
the NFL, it's going to be tough and you have to run with toughness. I don't know if he has that." —Todd McShay, ESPN
analyst
ZACK FOLLETT, LB
• Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 236
• School: University of California
• Hometown: Clovis, Calif.
• Key statistics: Led Pac-10 with 23 tackles for loss in final season.
• College highlights: First-team All-Pac 10 selection ranked fourth in conference with 10½ sacks. Finished third nationally in
tackles for a loss. Named MVP of Emerald Bowl after making numerous big plays vs. Miami, including a forced fumble on his
last sack, which positioned Bears' winning TD.
PHOTOS: Best linebackers available
• Upside: Plays with a high motor. Possesses all of the skills to be an effective pass rusher, something NFL teams covet.
Extremely hard hitter who won't be intimidated by pro game. His 13 career forced fumbles speak to big-play ability.
• Downside: Has history of injuries dating to high school, where he fractured a foot as a junior and hurt his shoulder as a
senior. Lack of size a concern. Needs a great deal of work on pass coverage skills.
• Projected round: Fourth
• What they're saying: "Zack's prospects are very good. He plays with a great motor and has the physical tools to do
multiple things. He's physical, fast, athletic and tough." —California coach Jeff Tedford
"I really liked him at Cal. He has good size and he runs fairly well. He's a very good athlete and he brings some versatility to
you." —Mel Kiper, ESPN draft analyst
MORE DRAFT GEMS: Cincinnati DE Connor Barwin and Penn State OT Gerald Cadogan
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-04-08-draft-gems_N.htm
Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.
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Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
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Bengals CB Leon Hall arrested on suspicion of DUI in Ohio - USATODAY.com
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of DUI in Ohio
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By Barrett J. Brunsman, The Cincinnati Enquirer
BATAVIA, Ohio — Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall is set to be arraigned in Clermont County Municipal
Court on Friday on charges that include driving under the influence of alcohol.
Hall, 24, also was cited for driving left of center after being pulled over at 3:11 a.m. on April 5 on Ohio 125 in
Union Township by Trooper N.J. Pabin of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
He told the trooper he lived in nearby Anderson Township. A police report didn't indicate what Hall was doing
out at that hour.
A breath test showed Hall had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.149. The legal limit in Ohio is 0.08.
Hall couldn't be reached for comment.
"We were aware of the charge," Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said Wednesday. "Anybody can get
charged with anything. We don't feel it's appropriate to comment on a legal matter that's not resolved."
Hall, who was driving a black 2007 Mercedes Benz with tinted windows, "had bloodshot eyes and a moderate
odor of an alcoholic beverage upon his breath," according to a police report.
"He stated that his wife had told him that he needed to get home because she was having a baby," the trooper
wrote. "Mr. Hall admitted that he had been drinking. …
"When asked if he had any leg or back problems, Mr. Hall stated that he did have lower back problems due to
his profession," the trooper wrote. "When asked if he had any recent head injuries, he stated that he was not
sure, but stated that he had not been diagnosed with any concussions."
Hall was arrested and read his rights before being taken to the Batavia post of the Highway Patrol, where he
took the breath test. He was issued a citation and released to an unidentified friend.
Hall might not appear in court Friday. An attorney could file a written waiver of arraignment along with a plea of
not guilty. The star defensive back would be the second Bengal to appear before Judge Anthony W. Brock.
Wide receiver Chris Henry, who was cited for drunken driving in Union Township by the Ohio State Highway
Patrol after leaving a nightclub that features nude women dancers, pleaded guilty in 2007 to a lesser charge of reckless operation of a car.
Brock sentenced Henry to the maximum 30 days in jail, but suspended it.
Former Bengals cornerback Deltha O'Neal was arrested by state troopers at a DUI checkpoint in Pierce Township in 2006 while driving home
from a casino in Indiana.
Hall was a first-round draft pick in 2007 out of the University of Michigan.
Last season, he led the Bengals in interceptions (three) and passes defended (26). He was one of five Bengals to start all 16 games.
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Hall's five interceptions as a rookie in 2007 tied a Bengals record set by safety Tommy Casanova in 1972, according to the club.
The Cincinnati Enquirer is owned by Gannett, parent company of USA TODAY
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Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
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ESPN.com - Bills RB Lynch suspended first 3 games
ESPN.com: NFL
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bills RB Lynch suspended first 3 games
By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for the first
three games of the 2009 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, according to sources.
An official announcement could come as soon as Thursday. Lynch is expected to appeal the suspension.
Lynch will lose approximately $112,000 of his $635,000 base salary for 2009 during the suspension.
Lynch was arrested near Los Angeles Feb. 11 and later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge. In
searching a parked car carrying Lynch, Culver City police found a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun inside
a backpack in the trunk.
Prosecutors said the backpack contained other items belonging to Lynch. Police said they also found
four marijuana cigarettes in the car, but no drug charges were filed.
After pleading guilty to having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, Lynch was sentenced last month to 80
hours of community service and three years' probation. The Bills' 2007 first-round draft pick also issued
an apology.
"I am embarrassed by my recent arrest and conviction," Lynch said. "I deeply regret that I placed myself
in this situation."
Lynch met with Goodell at his office in New York on March 17.
It was Lynch's second brush with the law in less than a year. Last June, Lynch pleaded guilty to a traffic
violation and admitted driving off after striking a female pedestrian with his car near Buffalo's
downtown bar district May 31.
Goodell did not discipline Lynch for the traffic violation after meeting with him at training camp last
summer.
Lynch had eight touchdowns and rushed for 1,036 yards last season. He went to his first Pro Bowl game
last month, running for a game-high 48 yards during the AFC's 30-21 loss to the NFC.
Michael Smith is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from the Associated Press was used in this
report.
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