Archives for June 21, 2000

‘‘‘Helping our players go out into the communities and interacting with our fans is one of the benefits of these caravan stops,’’ said Russ Brandon, the Bills Vice President/Business Development & Marketing. ‘‘We’ve had some great crowds on some of our recent stops and we are looking forward to the remaining visits.’’’

‘The 6-foot-4, 300-pound [Leif] Larsen, whose first name is pronounced "Life," is the first member of the 2000 draft class to sign with the team.’

‘Half of the Quarterback Class of 1983 will be on hand Aug. 23 at Pro Player Stadium when the Dolphins honor one of its grads, Dan Marino. John Elway and Jim Kelly will join the public tribute to Marino, which starts at 7:30 p.m. All three won more than 100 regular-season games and threw at least 200 touchdown passes.’

‘The Dolphins announced Tuesday that Don Shula, John Elway and Jim Kelly will be among the guests for Dan Marino’s retirement party Aug. 23 at Pro Player Stadium at 7:30.’

‘Gabe Northern, a starter for the Buffalo Bills at weakside linebacker the past two seasons, has signed a two-year contract with the Steelers, his agent said Tuesday.’

‘Free-agent linebacker Gabe Northern has signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Wednesday…Both the Bills and Steelers use four linebackers on defense behind three linemen. Northern, 26, a four-year veteran from Louisiana State, will be replaced in Buffalo by Keith Newman, a fourth-round draft choice last year.’

‘A native of Norway, Larsen, 25, went to the Texas-El Paso on a track and field scholarship as a shot putter and never played football before college. He played 10 games last season and recorded 69 tackles. One of the strongest players in college football, he set the NFL combine record by bench-pressing 225 pounds 45 times.’

‘NFL Insider followed Flutie each day through one of the most tumultuous weeks of his pro career. Monday, January 3…’