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Popular Ex-Giant Rote dead at age 73

Kyle Rote, one of the most popular players in Giants history, died at 73.

Mr. Rote died Wednesday at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. He had emergency surgery last week and died from cardiopulmonary complications, his son, Kyle Rote Jr., said. Rote Jr., a former professional soccer player who is an agent, said his father was a longtime smoker who battled emphysema.

Mr. Rote, an All-American at Southern Methodist and the No. 1 pick in the 1951 NFL draft, became the first president of the NFL Players Association.

"I think what made his career so remarkable wasn't so much being the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft ... or being captain of the Giants for 10 of 11 years, or going to the Pro Bowl three or four times, or becoming a great receiver after being hurt and coming back from so many knee surgeries," Rote Jr. said. "The most remarkable thing about him from football standpoint was that he had 14 teammates who named sons after him."

Mr. Rote caught 300 passes for 4,797 yards, a 16-yard average, and 48 touchdowns. He was the Giants' career receiving leader when he retired, now fifth. His 312 points are 10th best for New York.

CUNNINGHAM TO RETIRE: Randall Cunningham officially will retire from the league as a member of the Eagles before a preseason game Aug. 23 against Baltimore.

Cunningham, who spent last season with the Ravens, played with the Eagles from 1985-95. He holds four team records, including most 300-yard passing games (13), most yards passing in a game (447) and longest punt (91).

Cunningham is the league's all-time leader in rushing yards among quarterbacks with 4,928.

"Randall brought so much excitement to the city of Philadelphia, the Eagles and to the NFL," owner Jeffrey Lurie said. "Personally, I'm very proud and excited that he wanted to retire as an Eagle. He's meant so much to this city and this franchise."

Cunningham led the Eagles to three consecutive playoffs after a six-year absence. He retired after the 1995 season, then signed the next year with Minnesota. He stepped in when starter Brad Johnson got hurt and helped the Vikings score an NFL-record 556 points and earn a berth in the NFC Championship Game.

NO BLACKOUTS IN JACKSONVILLE: Winn-Dixie agreed to purchase enough Jaguars tickets to ensure no home game is blacked out this season. Before the decision, Jaguar officials thought seven of the 10 home games would be blacked out. League rules require a local TV blackout when a game is not a sellout.

ASSISTANT ARRESTED: Bob Bratkowski, in his second year as the Bengals offensive coordinator, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, team spokesman Jack Brennan said. He was pulled over near training camp and spent several hours in the Scott County (Ky.) jail.

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