Newswire : Injury Threatens Career of Cowboys’ Billy Cannon Jr.

The pro football career of Dallas Cowboy linebacker Billy Cannon Jr. might be over because of a spinal injury.

Cowboy Coach Tom Landry told Cannon that he has not received medical clearance to play this season.

A congenital spinal condition was complicated during the 1984 season when Cannon tackled New Orleans running back Wayne Wilson. Cannon was knocked unconscious and suffered a brief paralysis of his arms and legs before being helped from the field.

“Billy is very down, as you might expect,” Landry said. “This was a very tough decision for us. But we can’t pass him when these doctors show us the extent of the injury. It’s just too bad that he got hit the way he did.”

A few days after the injury, doctors discovered spinal damage and now fear Cannon could be paralyzed by another head-on collision.

Six more trainers at Buffalo Raceway have been suspended by the New York Racing and Wagering Board for racing horses who later were found to have illegal drugs in their systems.

The suspensions bring to 13 the number of trainers who have been suspended for drug violations at the harness track in suburban Hamburg.

Denver Gold home attendance is off 53% from last year--by far the biggest drop in the United States Football League--and General Manager Rich Nathan said the team “can’t go on forever” unless gate receipts improve.

The Gold’s average attendance of 15,896 is the third worst in the league, ahead of only Los Angeles (15,293) and San Antonio (14,672). In 1984, the Gold averaged 33,952--fifth highest in the league--and in 1983 had an average of 41,735.

For the first time in seven years, golf’s World Cup will be played in the United States. The event, which will be held Nov. 18-24 at La Quinta, Calif., will feature a field of 64 golfers representing 32 nations.

Ian Rush enhanced his reputation as one of European soccer’s top scorers with a 38th-minute goal that gave Wales a surprising 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

West Germany, meanwhile, took a step nearer qualification for next year’s World Cup finals in Mexico by defeating Malta, 6-0. Belgium overcame Greece, 2-0, in Brussels, and Yugoslavia posted a 1-0 home victory over Luxembourg.

Tulane University basketball players David Dominique, 19, and Bobby Thompson, 21, accused of shaving points in a gambling case, surrendered to authorities for fingerprinting and booking.

John Williams, 23, Tulane’s star center, was arrested on Tuesday night, along with Gary Kranz, 21, of New York, a Tulane student accused of gambling law violations as well as cocaine dealing.

Cocaine was the apparent motivating factor, not money, said District Attorney Harry Connick.

Connick, who said it is possible other players are involved, will take the case before a grand jury today. All four were released without bail.

Names in the News

Eric Thompson, a former University of Arizona quarterback, has been re-signed by the Los Angeles Express. Thompson reported to the Express’ training camp this season but was waived Feb. 4. The Express also announced that wide receiver Duane Gunn, suspended indefinitely for disciplinary reasons last week, has been reinstated, that safety Troy West has been placed on the injured reserve list and that wide receivers LeRoy Campbell and Gary Lowell have been moved to the developmental squad.

The Indianapolis Colts traded quarterback Mark Herrmann, 26, to the San Diego Chargers for an undisclosed draft pick.

Guard Walter Davis of the Phoenix Suns was placed on the injury list and will miss the remainder of the season.

University of Virginia football Coach George Welsh, 51, and basketball Coach Terry Holland, 42, have tentatively agreed to new 10-year contracts.