Bills grant Henry’s wish by dealing him to Titans
The last thing Travis Henry wanted was another season in Willis McGahee’s shadow in Buffalo. The last thing the Bills wanted was the distraction a disgruntled player can cause.
The problems were solved Monday when Bills president Tom Donahoe announced he traded Henry to the Tennessee Titans for a third-round pick in next year’s draft.
“We’re really glad that it’s over,” Donahoe said. “Tennessee gave us the best offer and gave us really what we were looking for.”
The deal ends a standoff between team and player after Henry vowed not to play the final year of his contract with Buffalo next season. Henry, the Bills’ former starter, did not attend the team’s minicamp sessions last spring, unhappy after losing his job to McGahee in October.
In granting Henry’s trade demand, the Bills provided the running back a homecoming of sorts after he played his college career at Tennessee. He is the Volunteers’ career leading rusher with 3,078 yards – an average of 5.5 yards per carry.
Tim Brown signs with Raiders, retires
Tim Brown signed a one-day contract and retired with the Oakland Raiders, gracefully ending his 17-year career as one of the NFL’s most prolific receivers.
Brown, the Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame in 1987, spent his first 16 seasons with the Raiders in Los Angeles and Oakland. He spent last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after refusing to accept a tiny role with Oakland.
“At some point in my career, I didn’t think this day would ever come,” Brown said. “I thought I’d just keep playing and keep playing. But I’m very glad this day has come, and I can move on to the next phase of my life.”
That phase might involve NASCAR. Brown, a Dallas native with no background in auto racing, used his retirement to announce plans to partner with Roush Racing on a NASCAR team based in Charlotte, N.C., and to begin competition next year.
If the venture gets off the ground, Brown would become the first black majority owner of a NASCAR team.
Brown had 1,070 receptions for 14,734 yards and 99 touchdowns with the Raiders, who released him last August. Reuniting with former Raiders coach Jon Gruden with the Buccaneers, Brown had just 24 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown last season.
Brown is tied with Steve Largent for third on the NFL’s career touchdown catches list, and only former Oakland teammate Jerry Rice has more career yards receiving. His 1,094 career catches rank third in NFL history.
Robinson pleads guilty on DUI charge
Former Seattle Seahawks receiver Koren Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence, and was ordered to spend one day in jail.
Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Albert Raines sentenced Robinson to one year in jail with 364 days suspended. He must serve 24 months of supervised probation and use an ignition interlock device for one year. He was also fined $2,137 and had his license suspended for 90 days.
A second charge of reckless driving was dismissed.
Colts great Parker dies
Jim Parker, the Hall of Famer who anchored the Baltimore Colts’ offensive line during the club’s glory years, died Monday after he endured numerous health problems. He was 71.
Parker, known as a superb blocker, was a mainstay on the Colts’ National Football League championship teams of 1958 and 1959.
A first-round draft pick in 1957 from Ohio State, Parker played 11 years with the Colts. He made All-Pro eight consecutive times – four at guard and four at tackle.