Four Great Running Backs Try Their Skills at Tennis

Four of the greatest running backs in professional football--Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, Marcus Allen of the Raiders, Eric Dickerson of the Rams and Joe Morris of the New York Giants--will compete in the second Gordon’s Gin Sports Celebrity tennis tournament June 16-19 at the La Costa Resort Hotel courts.

This elite quartet accounted for a combined rushing total of 5,880 yards last season and scored a total of 53 touchdowns. They will join 36 other athletes from 10 sports in this unique mixed, round-robin doubles competition.

Admission is free for all four days of the tournament with competition beginning at 10 a.m. daily.

Teams are selected by a computer process whereby each couple plays a four-game set. This process is repeated six times each day for the three days of qualifying to determine the eight players with the most games won. The top eight then are paired for the two semifinal matches on the fourth day with the surviving pairs playing one eight-point set for the championship.

Payton gained 1,551 yards rushing last season for an NFL career-record total of 14,860. He rushed for more than 100 yards in nine consecutive games, a record later matched by Marcus Allen.