White Is Released by Browns

Charles White, USC’s Heisman Trophy-winning tailback in 1979, was placed on waivers Tuesday by the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland Coach Marty Schottenheimer cited an abundance of talent at the position, including the signing of Kevin Mack from the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League and the drafting of Greg Allen from Florida State.

“Because of the talent we have at running back, I don’t believe Charlie has a great chance to contribute to our team,” Schottenheimer said. “I promised Charlie I would let him know early so he could have the chance to try and do something with another team.”

White, 27, was the Browns’ first draft choice in 1980, the 27th player picked overall. He sat out the 1983 season with a broken ankle and played in only 10 games last year before being placed on injured reserve with a bad back. He had been relegated mostly to special teams.

White admitted last year that he had a drug problem dating back to his days as a star running back at San Fernando High School. But he was dealing with his chemical dependency after being admitted to the CareUnit Hospital in Orange County in 1982.

He was a member of the Browns’ Inner Circle of former drug users that met once a week to discuss their mutual problem.

White, a three-year starter at USC, was one of former coach John Robinson’s favorite players. Robinson often said that he had never seen a tougher player than White.

White is best remembered for his Rose Bowl game against Ohio State on Jan. 1, 1980. With USC trailing, 16-10, late in the game, White accounted for 71 yards of an 83-yard drive, climaxed by his one-yard dive for a touchdown. The Trojans won, 17-16.

Owner Doug Spedding of the Denver Gold of the USFL estimated that his franchise will lose in excess of $3 million this season. The team has been plagued by poor attendance.

The USFL collectively lost a reported $63 million last year and Commissioner Harry Usher has said none of the league’s 14 teams will make a profit this year.

Arnold Palmer failed to qualify for the U.S. Open championship for the second consecutive year.

Palmer, one of 55 players competing for seven berths, posted rounds of 77 and 71 for a total six-over-par 148 at Bay Hill Country Club at Orlando, Fla.

“I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t play better,” said Palmer, who won his only U.S. Open Championship in 1960. “I thought I could qualify. It isn’t the end of the world. Hell, I’ve had worst things happen to me.”

Palmer played in a record-tying 31 consecutive championships.

Last year, the United States Golf Assn. found itself in the middle of controversy when it didn’t give Palmer an exemption to the tournament. This year, the USGA decided to not give any exemptions.

Palmer, 55, refused to blamed the 100-degree heat, a 70-minute rain delay or the fact that he walked 36 holes in the qualifier.

Seattle Mariner owner George Argyros has proposed selling up to 35% of his interest in the club to local interests and wants King County to defer Kingdome rents through 1987 unless game attendance improves.

These provisions are among a list of proposed changes to the American League club’s lease agreement for the county-owned Kingdome that was released by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Trainer Woody Stephens said that he will run an entry of Stephan’s Odyssey and Creme Fraiche Saturday in a bid to win an unprecedented fourth straight Belmont Stakes.

In other horse racing developments, Garden State Park announced that the 1986 Jersey Derby’s purse will be doubled to to $2 million and a bonus attached to winning that race, the Kentucky Derby and other races will be worth $3 million.

Also, Dragon’s Lair, a leading 3-year-old pacer, has been syndicated for $12 million and will stand stud at Almahurst Fam in Lexington, Ky. in 1986.

Names in the News

Petra Felke of East Germany set a world record in the women’s javelin with a throw of 246 feet, 11 inches in a meet at Schwerin, East Germany. The old record was held by Finland’s Tiina Lillak at 245-3.

Mike Conley of Arkansas and Kathy Branta of Wisconsin were named the first winners of the Jumbo Elliott Awards, presented to the nation’s top male and female collegiate track and field athletes.