Lifelong goal is realized

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 31, 1999 | by Jim Bainbridge

For everything that pro football took from him, paralyzed former New England Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley felt the game rewarded him tenfold this week when he learned that his son Derek had been signed as a member of the NEW YORK JETS' five-man practice squad. The former Arena League cornerback is trying to make his way in the NFL as a 28-year-old rookie free agent. "I was very elated regarding this whole situation with Derek and his football career," Darryl Stingley said. "Naturally, this elation was brought about because most people are aware of what happened to me some 21 years ago. At that time, Derek was very young. I thought to myself at the time, 'What would happen to my kids because of my inability to be there physically as a parent to help raise my sons.' I remember asking God if he would spare my life and allow me to see my sons grow and see their families grow. All of this has come to fruition. This is unbelievably exciting because of the unconventional way Derek has arrived at this point." ... Neil O'Donnell is proof that a quarterback cannot do it alone. For the 5-1 TENNESSEE TITANS, he is 104-for-172 for 1,209 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions, filling in for Steve McNair. At the same point in 1998 for 2-4 Cincinnati he was 109-for- 165 for 1,244 yards with nine TDs and one interception. ... KANSAS CITY CHIEFS guard Will Shields, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and aspiring vocalist, will join with Kevin Mahogany, an erstwhile lineman at Baker University and acclaimed jazz singer, to perform the national anthem before the Chiefs play San Diego today. They'll be joined by five students who will receive $1,000 music scholarships for music study from Shields' Will to Succeed Foundation. ...

The success of St. Louis' Kurt Warner has brought some attention to his namesake, former SEATTLE SEAHAWKS running back Curt Warner, which is just fine with Curt. "It's nice to be remembered again, especially being a car dealer," Curt Warner said. "I can always use that to my advantage. People do come in today and say, 'Didn't you just score a touchdown?' and I say, 'Well, yeah, my arm's a little sore.'" ... The JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS are struggling at 14th in the league in total offense, and though running back Fred Taylor refuses to believe his absence is the only reason, teammates are eager for his return today against the Bengals. Taylor, who rushed for 1,233 yards as a rookie last season, missed the past two games with a sore hamstring, and the injury has limited him since the opener. With Taylor's return, Jacksonville will likely have its complete starting lineup together for only the second time all season. ... In need of another receiver after Brandon Stokley went down with an injury, the BALTIMORE RAVENS signed former Broncos first-round draft choice Marcus Nash. "What we get with Nash is upside potential," said Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' vice president of player personnel. "He was extremely productive at Tennessee and came into the league as a first- round pick. He's only 23 years old, has good size and is a quality person." ... SEATTLE is the only team in the NFL without a rushing touchdown. Running back Ricky Watters' six-game drought ties for the longest at the start of a season in his nine-year career. "I can't believe it," Watters said, "but we're winning and that's the stat that matters." ...

Guard Ken Blackman, released by the CINCINNATI BENGALS when the sides couldn't agree on the length of a contract extension, has joined the growing list of disgruntled former Bengals, saying he hopes to hook on with an AFC Central team so he can play Cincinnati twice a year. "Mike Brown doesn't know how to treat his players," said Blackman of the Bengals president. "Their way of doing business is uncouth." ... CHIEFS receiver Andre Rison was one of six people arrested early Saturday for fighting outside a Kansas City nightspot and just hours earlier reserve tight end Lonnie Johnson was arrested for assault involving a female police officer posing as a prostitute. Both players were released on bail.