Free-Agent Linebacker Riki Ellison Rejects 49er Offer to Sign With Raiders
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Riki Ellison, an unrestricted free-agent linebacker who played for seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, signed with the Raiders Friday.
Ellison missed two of the past three seasons because of a broken right arm. He sat out 1987 after shattering the arm in the 49ers’ season opener. Doctors inserted a steel plate to reinforce the arm.
However, he broke the arm again in the 49ers’ final 1989 exhibition game and sat out last season, being replaced by Matt Millen, a former Raider. Doctors inserted a 12-inch steel rod after the second injury.
Ellison, 29, earned a reported $425,000 last season and rejected a 49er offer that was geared to several incentive clauses for next season.
“I seriously considered retiring to run for the State Assembly,” Ellison told the Oakland Tribune, “but I plan to play next year. I decided that I basically love the game.”
A fifth-round draft choice from USC in 1983, Ellison played in 80 games with the 49ers, starting 77. He led the team in tackles in 1984 ’85.
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