Allen Had an Urgent Kneed for Over-the-Hill Linebacker

Dick Butkus’ career with the Chicago Bears was seemingly over in 1973 because of several knee operations.

However, George Allen, known for his “Over the Hill Gang” with the Washington Redskins, still thought that he could use the famous linebacker.

“I told him I couldn’t play, but George wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Butkus said. “He insisted that I go to this doctor in Oklahoma City for an exam.

“It was top secret. That was how George did things.”

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Add Butkus: The doctor confirmed that Butkus’ knees were too far gone to play, but that didn’t deter Allen.

“OK,” he said, “but could he be ready for next year’s playoffs?”

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Trivia time: Who holds the Ram regular-season record for yards gained rushing in a game?

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Regrets: Joan Ryan in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Years from now, when Chris Webber starts hearing his knees crackle like wrapping paper and pains in his back keep him on the bench for longer and longer stretches, he might sigh as so many fading stars have:

“ ‘I’d trade everything for a championship ring.’

“But last week, at age 21, he made a radical decision. He chose happiness over winning.”

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Add Webber: Johnette Howard in the Washington Post: “Until Webber’s problems with Warrior Coach Don Nelson are explained more in depth than they have been so far--a few sideline exchanges, some hurt feelings--Webber’s insistence of getting out of Golden State reeks of immaturity.”

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Growing up: During his first visit to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas last summer, Shaquille O’Neal was escorted to a secluded baccarat room.

“The security guys called me over and told me I wouldn’t be bothered by the media,” O’Neal said. “They welcomed me with big smiles. I thought they liked me. Then I found out it was $25,000 a hand.”

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Priorities: Michael Porter, Prairie View A&M;’s sophomore running back, on the program’s 46-game losing streak:

“A win would be almost as good as graduating.”

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Ho hum: SportsLetter of the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles reports that professional boxing’s governing bodies--the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Assn., International Boxing Federation and lesser-regarded World Boxing Organization--sanctioned 177 world-championship fights in 1993.

That averages out to a world championship (tainted as it might be) every 2.06 days.

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FYI: Some aptly named cities on the Professional Rodeo Circuit: Horseheads, N.Y.; Buck, Pa.; Barnwell, S.C., and Mustang, Okla.

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Trivia answer: Willie Ellison, with 247 against the New Orleans Saints in 1971.

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Quotebook: Free-agent outfielder Andy Van Slyke on whether he would play in Japan: “I would--for the right amount of sushi.”