DeBartolo in '98 pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony, and was barred from controlling the 49ersGETTY IMAGES
PRESIDENT TRUMP yesterday "granted full clemency" to former 49ers Owner and Pro Football HOFer EDDIE DEBARTOLO JR., who was "convicted in a gambling fraud scandal." Trump "signed the executive order at the White House and had met with several NFL players," including Pro Football HOFers JERRY RICE and RONNIE LOTT, about the pardon. DeBartolo was involved in the '98 corruption case of former Louisiana Gov. EDWIN EDWARDS. DeBartolo "plead guilty to a charge of failing to report a felony." As a result of the case, DeBartolo was "barred from active control of the 49ers for a year," but he "never went to prison." He "could have returned to the team but instead ceded control of the franchise to his sister," DENISE YORK, in '00 (KTVU.com, 2/18).
NAMES: Gold Medal-winning Canadian wrestler ERICA WIEBE was "named a provincial ambassador to encourage Albertans to take part in sports and live an active lifestyle." Wiebe's year-long appointment will see her "travel across the province to encourage under-represented or marginalized populations to take up sport and raise awareness about the benefits of staying active" (CALGARY SUN, 2/16)....Former A's Dir of Player Development KEITH LIEPPMAN will be inducted into the team's HOF this year (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 2/18)....The Flyers yesterday "welcomed a crew of special-needs kids from the area following an otherwise routine practice." The Flyers Youth Special Team "consists of players from around the region ages 5 and up" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/18).
