Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 21, 1990 TAG: 9004210188
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium
Colts general manager Jim Irsay announced the signing at a news conference, confirming that George would return to the city where he starred in high school.
George's agent, Leigh Steinberg, confirmed that the deal would make George the highest paid rookie in NFL history.
Among current players, George's package would rank below only those of Buffalo's Jim Kelly, Philadelphia's Randall Cunningham and Cleveland's Bernie Kosar, all quarterbacks. He will earn more than Joe Montana, John Elway, Warren Moon and several other established star quarterbacks.
George modeled a No. 11 jersey at the news conference and said he was ready to challenge Chris Chandler and Jack Trudeau for the starting job this fall.
The pact also carries a $3.5 million signing bonus. It is 40 percent higher than the contract Troy Aikman signed as the top pick of the Dallas Cowboys last year.
Steinberg, who also negotiated Aikman's contract, and Irsay bargained until 5:30 a.m. Friday at an all-night restaurant, Steinberg said.
The agent arrived at Colts headquarters late Friday morning to tie up loose ends on the deal.
The agreement was the only remaining roadblock to a deal under which the Colts traded Pro Bowl tackle Chris Hinton, wide receiver Andre Rison and two draft picks to Atlanta in exchange for the first pick in Sunday's NFL draft.
The Colts also received the Falcons' fourth-round pick this year.
Atlanta will receive the Colts' first-round draft choice in 1991 and a fifth-round pick this year.
George, an Indianapolis native, played one year at Purdue but transferred to Miami after coach Leon Burtnett was fired. He never played for the Hurricanes and left for Illinois the next year. He passed up his senior year of eligibility to enter the draft.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB