Seahawks Ignore Bosworth, Take Him in Draft

Brian Bosworth was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League’s supplemental draft Friday, but he said he did not want to play for the team.

Bosworth had warned 23 of the 28 NFL clubs--the Seahawks included--not to draft him. Bosworth said he would rather sit out the 1987 season than sign with the Seahawks.

“If I tried to reconsider, it would be hypocritical on my part,” the All-American linebacker from Oklahoma said at a news conference in New York. “Seattle doesn’t fit the mold I put myself in.

“I hope something will be worked out with one of my preferred teams.”

Bosworth graduated last month but had one year of college eligibility remaining, making him eligible for this draft.

Bosworth had said that he “preferred” the New York Giants, New York Jets, Rams, Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles. But Gary Wichard, Bosworth’s agent, said that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had risen to No. 1 on the linebacker’s list after a meeting with Coach Ray Perkins.

Wichard said that the Eagles, Jets and Raiders ranked next in that order. Bosworth has ruled out the Giants, because they wanted him as a backup and special teams player, and the Rams, because they don’t have a first-round pick.

“Basically, it’s up to Seattle to work something out,” Wichard said. “We have no intentions of negotiating with Seattle for the 1987 season. We’re hopeful of a trade.”