Record Shows Ward Headed for Stardom

To those who doubt that Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward of Florida State will be a star in the NFL, Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times has these words of warning:

“Don’t ever doubt him. The world learned that long ago. They said Ward couldn’t play college ball after five leg operations (he did). They said Ward couldn’t start at a school that never had a black quarterback (he did). They said he couldn’t star in two sports (he did). Now they say he can’t play in the NFL.”

Add Ward: To those who doubt that Ward could be a star in the NBA, Marty Blake, the NBA’s chief scout, has this to say:

“He’s the best point guard in America.”

Trivia time: Name the only three NFL teams to finish .500 or better in each of the last seven seasons.

Hot and cold: The South Pacific island of American Samoa plans to send a two-man bobsled team and an Alpine skier to next month’s Lillehammer Olympics. American Samoa is 2,600 miles south of Hawaii and the temperature is never below 70 degrees. With a population of about 40,000, it is a U.S. territory with sporting autonomy.

Punched out: Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post writes that Buddy Ryan has the Houston Oilers over a barrel.

“Without the Budman, the Oilers are . . . well, you know, soft. Just another pretty, indoor, AFC team capable of blowing a 35-3 lead in the playoffs and incapable of beating anybody with real muscle.

“The Oilers are as dependent on Ryan as the Chiefs are on Joe Montana, as the Cowboys are on Emmitt Smith. Which is why there’s little if anything the Oilers can do about the fact that Ryan is a complete fool, as evidenced by his punching offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride on the sideline Sunday night in the Astrodome.”

One more goal: The New York Rangers’ Mike Gartner recently became the sixth NHL player to score 600 goals, but he’s still looking for his first Stanley Cup.

“Would I trade everything I’ve accomplished for one Stanley Cup?” Gartner asked, repeating a question. “No, that’s asking me to trade in too many wonderful experiences. But I can tell you I have one goal left. . . . I want to experience the Stanley Cup, and I know this team can win it.”

Trivia answer: San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers.

Quotebook: Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, after an 11-0 season: “Maybe next year we can go 11-0 again. Maybe if we win 22 games in a row, we’ll get a little more respect.”