Redskins Get Rogers for a Draft Choice

The Washington Redskins made it official, announcing that they have acquired New Orleans running back George Rogers, the Saints’ all-time leading ground gainer, along with New Orleans’ choices in the 5th, 10th and 11th rounds of the National Football League draft, for the Redskins’ first pick, the 24th overall.

Rogers, 26, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner at South Carolina, gained 4,267 yards in four years in New Orleans. He was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading the league with 1,674 yards and has twice represented the Saints in the Pro Bowl.

He was joined last year in New Orleans’ backfield by Earl Campbell, whose presence enables the Saints to deal Rogers.

The acquisition of Rogers ends a league-wide search by the Redskins, whose fullback, John Riggins, 35, has not announced whether he will return. Riggins was hindered by a lower back injury much of last season. Backup Joe Washington, 32, missed nine games with a knee injury.

Rogers’ pro career has not been trouble-free. In June, 1982, he admitted to federal investigators that he had spent more than $10,000 on cocaine during his rookie season. He was never charged because he was testifying in another case.

The Cleveland Browns completed the deal for the first choice in the NFL’s summer supplemental draft, in which they will probably pick University of Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar, by sending linebacker Chip Banks and three draft choices to the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills will receive Cleveland’s third-round pick in Tuesday’s college draft, and its No. 1 and No. 6 picks in 1986.

The New York Mets announced the signing of former Houston Astro reliever Joe Sambito, who returned to action last year after elbow surgery that sidelined him the entire 1983 season.

Sambito, a 32-year-old left-hander, worked in 32 games as a reliever last year for the Astros with a 3.02 earned-run average. He had no record and no saves, working primarily in long relief.

Sambito was released by the Astros during spring training and had tried out with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs before signing with the Mets.

Hannu Jarvenpaa scored three power-play goals as Finland upset the United States, 8-3, in the World Ice Hockey Championships at Prague, Czechoslovakia. The Americans, who finished the preliminary round with a 4-1-2 record, had already qualified for the medal round starting Sunday, along with the unbeaten Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Canada.

If the Americans finish in a tie with Czechoslovakia and Canada, they will have to start against the Soviets Sunday. The Soviets beat the United States, 11-1, in the first game of the preliminary round last week.

The trainer of Banner Bob withdrew his horse from the Kentucky Derby a day after it was beaten badly by Chief’s Crown in the $150,000-added Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

Also, Peter Fuller said he will not send his 3-year-old filly, Mom’s Command, to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks for fillies May 3. Fuller’s colt, Dancer’s Image, won the 1968 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified for using phenylbutazone, a pain-killer.

UC Santa Barbara students have passed a referendum to fund an intercollegiate football team. The school has competed at the club level in football for the last two years. Football was dropped as an intercollegiate sport by the school after the 1971 season.

Of the students who voted Tuesday and Wednesday, 67.9% favored the referendum.

It calls for $1.50 to be paid by each student per quarter for intercollegiate football. It is expected to raise $65,000 a year. It is expected that UCSB will field a club team next year and officials hope for an NCAA Division III team in 1986.

Today at 12:30 p.m., a life-sized statue of Jackie Robinson will be unveiled at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Names in the News

Wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo of the Miami Dolphins announced his retirement after six years in the NFL in favor of a broadcasting career.

The Green Bay Packers got veteran quarterback Scott Brunner from the Denver Broncos for an undisclosed draft choice.