Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 sports
Thursday 31 augusT 2017
Eric Dickerson signs 1-day deal to retire with the L.A. Rams

By GREG BEACHAM moff led the Rams’ efforts
AP Sports Writer to bring Dickerson back
THOUSAND OAKS, Califor- into the fold with a ceremo-
nia (AP) — Eric Dickerson nial retirement and a prom-
has signed a one-day con- inent role in the team’s
tract to retire as a member public presence in Los An-
of the Los Angeles Rams, geles. General manager
reuniting the famous run- Les Snead and coach Sean
ning back with his first NFL McVay joined Dickerson at
franchise. The Rams formal- a jovial news conference
ized the deal at their train- to announce the move.
ing complex Tuesday, with “My thing is I’m all about
Dickerson wearing his Hall the fans,” said Dickerson,
of Fame blazer to com- who will continue to do a
plete the paperwork. radio show and television
Dickerson set the single- appearances. “Coach, I’m
season NFL rushing record letting you know right now,
and suited up for four play- if you play well, I’m going
off teams during his tenure to say you’re playing well.
with the Rams from 1983-87. If you ain’t playing good,
He is still among the most you’re going to hear it from
popular players in fran- me. I’m your biggest fan
chise history, with his jersey and your biggest critic, and
frequently outnumbering that’s just me. I love this
those of any current player football team. I want my
in the Coliseum stands. Eric Dickerson poses with his “new”jersey after he signed a one-day contract to retire as a member team to win.”
“I’m really happy for this of the Los Angeles Rams, reuniting the famous running back with his first NFL football franchise, at Dickerson spent just over
moment, because even the team’s training complex in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. four seasons with the Rams,
when I left the Rams, I was Associated Press enduring contract disputes
always a Ram,” Dicker- were broken that day.” Dickerson will be involved in and the Rams have healed before getting traded to
son said. “I was always a Dickerson also became fan outreach efforts as the the rift created last year by the Indianapolis Colts three
Los Angeles Ram. I never a vice president of busi- Rams attempt to cement former coach Jeff Fisher’s games into the 1987 sea-
wanted to leave this foot- ness development with the their primacy in Southern reaction to Dickerson’s son. He also suited up for
ball team when I got trad- Rams, who returned home California after the reloca- criticism of the team while the Los Angeles Raiders
ed. My heart was broken, to Los Angeles last year af- tion of the Chargers. the Rams went 4-12. Chief and Atlanta before his ca-
just like a lot of fans’ hearts ter 21 seasons in St. Louis. The 56-year-old Dickerson operating officer Kevin De- reer ended in 1993.q

Houston Texans

Continued from Page 17 has helped out in the crisis
so far and is looking for-
Watt almost didn’t know ward to pitching in.
to react to the stunning “It’s been extremely dif-
growth of his flood relief ficult to watch,” he said.
fundraising effort, which “But it’s also been unbe-
started with a web page lievably motivational to see
and a video Sunday. Since firefighters, policeman. Ev-
then, he’s been offering eryday citizens out in boats
video updates as the total helping each other out ...
climbed over $6 million. The it’s an unbelievable thing
original goal was $200,000. to witness what happens
“We’ve upped the goal to in a time of crisis. The most
$10 million because every- difficult times bring out the
thing is bigger in Texas,” he best in humanity.”
said. “Why not? Let’s shoot Cowboys tight end Ja-
for $10 million and see what son Witten and most of
we can do.” the starters for both teams
Watt added that he has wouldn’t have played in
trucks filled with supplies the preseason finale, and
that he expects to arrive in Witten said he was happy
Houston by this weekend. the Texans were going
“The tentative plan is Sun- home. Houston Texans center Nick Martin (66) along with other lineman takes instructions from offensive
day we’re going to have “I know they’re probably line coach Mike Devlin, right front, during a morning practice at the Dallas Cowboys training
a bunch of my teammates anxious to get home and facility, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Frisco, Texas.
are going to help me out see their families, just assess Associated Press
in a few different locations the situation,” Witten said. and rally in a lot of ways.” reach.” down in Houston,” Garrett
around town to be deter- “These guys have a great Coach Jason Garrett said “We told our team at the said.
mined and we’re going to opportunity and platform the Cowboys were plan- outset of the week that “We’re not going to play
hand out supplies,” he said. to go back and check on ning a practice Thursday it might be a funny week the game. It’s easy to see
Watt said he’s been moved their own families and get that would involve “some given the circumstances why. Now we just have to
by watching everyone that involved in the community sort of community out- that they’re going through adjust.”q