Gross donates $500,000 to Utah football
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 10:47 AM PDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Jordan Gross is donating $500,000 to Utah’s football program.
Gross was an All-American for the Utes in 2002 and started in 37 straight games in his college career.
Gross says he and his wife, Dana, are both graduates of Utah and wanted to make the donation, which will create a scholarship created in the couple’s name. The other half of the donation will go to Utah’s football enhancement fund.
Gross was a first-round draft pick by the Panthers in 2003. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season and was voted first-team All-Pro.
University of Oregon safety Patrick Chung signs deal
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots signed safety Patrick Chung, their top draft pick, leaving two of their 12 choices without agreements.
Chung, out of Oregon, was one of four players drafted in the second round by the Patriots, who traded their first-round pick.
He was taken with the 34th pick overall, obtained from the Kansas City Chiefs for quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel.
Details of the contract were not disclosed.
The Patriots other three second-round picks signed four-year deals. They are nose tackle Ron Brace of Boston College, cornerback Darius Butler of Connecticut and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer of Houston.
The Patriots released safety Antwain Spann, a three-year veteran.
Their only draft picks without agreements are third-rounder Tyrone McKenzie, a linebacker from South Florida, and sixth-rounder Jake Ingram, a long snapper from Hawaii.
McKenzie tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in rookie minicamp in May and is out for the season.
Chung started the most games of any defensive player in his school’s history.
His 51 consecutive starts are tied for the Oregon record for players at any position.
Spann played in 19 regular-season and three postseason games for the Patriots.
Vick reinstated to NFL
NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Vick was reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday and could play in regular-season games as early as October.
Vick can immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games — if he can find a team that will sign him.
‘‘Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited,’’ Goodell said in a letter to Vick. ‘‘I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you.’’
Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling the ‘‘Bad Newz Kennels’’ dogfighting operation.
‘‘I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others,’’ Goodell added.
fruitland mom wrote on Aug 11, 2009 8:14 AM:
So Sad...you ARE the one who is SO SAD!!! "