Speaking at the NFL's Hall of Fame Induction weekend in
Canton, OH, former 49ers Owner EDDIE DEBARTOLO said it "was
his choice to get out of the NFL when a yearlong suspension
ended, and he insists he made the right decision," according
to Ira Miller of the S.F. CHRONICLE. DeBartolo
"relinquished control of the franchise to his sister earlier
this year," but had been charged in connection with a
gambling case in LA more than two years ago. DeBartolo was
suspended for one year in '99 and fined $1M by NFL
Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE for his connection to the LA
case, and DeBartolo said Tagliabue "did what he had to do,
and I think he probably did the right thing." But he added,
"I also think it could have been handled a little bit
better." DeBartolo believes he could have regained control
of the 49ers if he wanted to: "It would have had to go
through a vote of the NFL (owners) and everything else (to
regain control), but I don't think that would have been a
problem." Asked if he felt "betrayed" by either his sister,
Tagliabue or former 49ers President CARMEN POLICY, DeBartolo
said, "I feel that there could have been much better
support. ... I would have supported my family and friends
better than I got supported by them." Meanwhile, Miller
wrote that DeBartolo, living in Tampa, looks "fit and
relaxed," and while a rumor has surfaced that he may be
interested in joining a group looking to acquire the Bucs,
DeBartolo said that was "not what he wanted to do right
now." DeBartolo: "I can't say in a year or two it might not
be the case" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/29). DeBartolo was in
Canton for the ceremony inducting former QB JOE MONTANA and
DB RONNIE LOTT. Montana said that "he plans to do business
soon" with DeBartolo (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30). DeBartolo threw a
party for Montana and Lott on Sunday, and Ira Miller wrote,
"This must have been what the end of the Roman Empire looked
like, too." The "music was blaring and the book was
flowing. ... In his typical fashion, DeBartolo's crowd
crossed all the lines" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/31).
ROONEY TAKES CENTER STAGE: Steelers President DAN
ROONEY, who was presented for induction in Canton by former
Steeler JOE GREENE, "had no choice but to step to the podium
and the forefront" on Saturday. In Pittsburgh, Mike Prisuta
wrote, "In a speech delivered at a tempo suggesting Rooney
couldn't wait until it was completed, he gave credit to
everyone but himself" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/30).
ECONOMIC BOOST: In Akron, Shana Yates cited figures
from the Canton Chamber showing that the Pro Football Hall
of Fame Festival brings an estimated $8.7M to Canton
annually and $13M to Stark County (BEACON JOURNAL, 7/29).
