Style Just Doesn’t Wear Well in NFL

According to Len Pasquarelli of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, here’s how far the NFL will go to protect its licensing deals with companies that manufacture athletic shoes and equipment:

Falcon defensive tackle Jumpy Geathers was recently fined $1,500 because he forgot to cover the trademark on a particular shoe--a brand not authorized by the NFL--he must wear because of bunions on the outside of his feet.

Add NFL: Pasquarelli also reports that Falcon wide receiver Andre Rison was fined $1,500 because a towel he has worn in games doesn’t conform to league standards: a maximum of six inches wide and eight inches long and tucked into the front waist of the pants.

Said Rison: “It’s like Big Brother is watching or something. They’re so worried about everyone looking the same. . . . They ought to worry more about making sure the officials get the calls right.”

Trivia time: The Rose Bowl contract between the Big Ten and the Pacific Coast Conference, now the Pacific 10, began in 1947. Which Big Ten team was the first to lose to a West Coast team?

Next time it’s Miami: When the U.S. biathlon team arrived in West Yellowstone, Mont., for its last training camp, the biathletes found no snow, according to the publication Ski Racing. “Good thing we brought our roller skis,” said Algis Shalna, the men’s coach.

Add training camp: The U.S. disabled cross-country ski squad was scheduled to train in Yellowstone Park a week later. Said Coach Kendall Butts: “We’re bringing mountain bikes.”

Welcome to reality: Bill Laimbeer, recently retired Detroit Piston center, upon returning from the concession stand during a Piston game: “Can you believe it costs $4.50 for a beer?”

High and dry: When the Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Larry Luebbers from the Cincinnati Reds, the headline on the Chicago Tribune’s account of the deal read: “Cubs land Luebbers.”

Trivia answer: Wisconsin, which lost to USC, 7-0, on Jan. 1, 1953.

Quotebook: Babe Laufenberg, former NFL quarterback, on the impact of kickers this season: “Super Bowl XXVIII probably will be decided by a player who hasn’t seen the weight room, doesn’t have a playbook and wouldn’t make the height requirement on 70% of the rides at Six Flags.”