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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2001
Co-defendant guilty in scam
GAINESVILLE -- A co-defendant of indicted sports agent Tank Black pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping scam millions of dollars from pro football players.
As part of a deal with prosecutors, Robert C. Ellenburg entered guilty pleas to federal charges of wire fraud, obstruction of justice and money laundering.
Sentencing is scheduled forJuly 9; the maximum possible prison sentence is 25 years, although the South Carolina businessman likely will get a reduced sentence.
Black's attorney, James Franklin, today is scheduled to plead guilty to his role in the fraud case. Franklin, Ellenburg and Alfred Twitty, a former employee of Black's, will cooperate with prosecutors as Black's May 29 trial nears.
WASHINGTON -- The Redskins will return to Carlisle, Pa., for training camp -- and this time the team won't charge admission.
The Redskins and Carlisle's Dickinson College scheduled a joint news conference for today to announce the move, which returns the Redskins to their summer home from 1963-94.
Last year, the Redskins held training camp at their year-round training facility in the Washington suburb of Ashburn, Va., and became the first NFL team to charge admission to practice.
The team was widely criticized for the admission charge, which also permitted scouts from other teams to watch the workouts. The large crowds and carnival atmosphere were potential distractions for players, who were used to having camp at college campuses.
BUCS 5K RUN: The team will hold a 5K race at 9 a.m. Saturday, starting outside Raymond James Stadium, proceeding through Al Lopez Park and onto the football field. Register online at www.buccaneers.com.
BEARS: Safety Larry Whigham and free-agent cornerback Donny Brady signed two-year contracts. Whigham was second in special-teams tackles for New England last season. Brady last played with the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. He missed 1999 and 2000 with a torn right knee ligament.
BENGALS: Defensive tackle Keith Jackson, who played five games in the Canadian Football League last season, was waived.
CHARGERS: The team acquired restricted free-agent kicker Wade Richey, 24, from San Francisco and signed him to a five-year contract worth $6-million. The 49ers did not match the offer. Also, restricted free-agent quarterback Moses Moreno re-signed for one year.
DOLPHINS: The team filled its second major need and all but closed the door on tackle Richmond Webb's return by agreeing with free-agent tackle Marcus Spriggs on a two-year contract. Spriggs is a four-year veteran who started 11 games for Buffalo last season. Also, receiver Dedric Ward signed for two years and $2-million.
LIONS: Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time leading receiver, is still under contract to the San Francisco 49ers. But he spoke enthusiastically about the possibility of playing next season -- and possibly the rest of his career -- with Detroit. The 49ers have indicated they will release Rice on June 1 because of salary-cap limitations, and the Lions, Oakland, Seattle and Cleveland have shown an interest. "I don't want to put my foot in my mouth right now. I don't want to say anything and it goes national, but the conversation we had was very, very positive and I'm glad I came," said Rice, 38. Rice said he would like to play at least two more years, and the Lions are "a perfect opportunity for me."
MADDOX WINS XFL AWARD: Los Angeles Xtreme quarterback Tommy Maddox was picked as the inaugural player of the year. The former UCLA star, who had three stints in the NFL, led the XFL with 2,186 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes. "I don't think I even thought of this at the beginning of the season. This is a team award as much as it is an individual award," he said. He started all 10 regular-season games and threw at least one touchdown in eight of them.