Pro Football

Quarterback Bobby Hebert of the New Orleans Saints, who sat out the entire 1990 season in a contract dispute, was out again Friday--celebrating a $5.1-million out-of-court settlement with the NFL.

In mid-April, Hebert is expected to receive a lump sum of $3.206 million after taxes--the largest amount awarded to any of the 34 named plaintiffs.

A babysitter at Hebert’s suburban home said that the quarterback and his wife had spent the night in New Orleans “celebrating.” Last fall, Hebert said he expected a large settlement and felt he was justified in it.

Hebert’s suit charged that Plan B unfairly restricted his ability to sell his services to another team when his contract with the Saints expired after the 1989 season.

After being benched for the final three games of 1989, Hebert held out for the entire 1990 season. He maintained that because he had played out his contract, he had the right to be traded or released. The Saints refused to do either.