Kidney Ailment Ends Career of Charger
Blood tests have revealed that Charger defensive lineman Terry Price has a kidney condition that will no longer allow him to play football.
“Putting football aside,” said Billy Devaney, the Chargers’ director of player personnel, “he has to think of his life. This is a serious ordeal.”
The Chargers acquired Price, a 6-foot-4, 272-pounder, via Plan B free agency from Miami after the 1991 season. Price participated in the team’s recent mini-camp, but a review of blood tests indicated that he has a serious medical condition.
The team declined to discuss the specifics of Price’s illness, but said he has failed the Chargers’ physical examination and will not be allowed to play football.
“We didn’t have great expectations when we signed him because he was still rehabilitating an injured knee,” Devaney said. “We had him earmarked for PUP (physically unable to perform) and thought it would give him a chance to improve his strength and work on his knee.
“All that is obviously out the door now. We’re just hoping now the kid will be OK.”
Meanwhile, the Ohio Glory in the World Football League will announce today that quarterback Pat O’Hara has been placed on injured reserve, thereby speeding his arrival to San Diego.
O’Hara, acquired on Plan B from Tampa Bay, has been on loan to the Glory. O’Hara started six games for Ohio and completed 116 of 201 passes for 1,188 yards with 11 interceptions and three touchdowns.
O’Hara suffered a slight shoulder separation in last week’s game with the New Jersey/New York Knights and met with Charger physicians earlier this week in San Diego. The Chargers asked that O’Hara be allowed to work with their medical staff and join the meetings the team has been conducting in conjunction with their voluntary workouts.
The Glory, which has two games remaining on its schedule, agreed to make O’Hara available. He is expected to arrive Monday.
“It’s not a serious shoulder injury,” Charger Coach Bobby Ross said, “but he won’t be able to come in and just start throwing. But it will be good to have him here and get him involved.”