MONTANA RETIREMENT CEREMONY: 49ers co-Owner EDDIE
DEBARTOLO JR., was warmly greeted before his introduction of
JOE MONTANA at last night's ceremony retiring No. 16 in San
Francisco: "Joe Montana came on the scene as Sir Lancelot
came into Camelot. In behalf of the greatest fans in the
NFL, in behalf of the greatest city in the world, this man
has etched his place in NFL history as the greatest
quarterback that has ever played the game." Montana singled
out DeBartolo, saying: "We love you, Eddie" ("MNF," 12/15).
OTHER NAMES: DEAN SMITH will be honored today as Sports
Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" for '97 (NEWS &
OBSERVER, 12/16)....CHARLES BARKLEY, on receiving acting
opportunities: "They keep sending me scripts to read. I've
got plenty of movie offers" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/16).
...TROY AIKMAN and DARYL JOHNSTON signed a partnership with
TX-businessmen JACK & JOEY MILNER for three Blockbuster
Video stores in Irving and Coppell. The company set up to
operate the stores will be called Aikman/Milner
Entertainment Partners (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/16).
