Green Says He Won’t Sue

Minnesota Viking Coach Dennis Green has promised NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue he won’t try to sue for control of the team.

In a letter sent to the commissioner this week, Green said he misjudged reaction to the final chapter of his autobiography. In that chapter, Green threatened to buy at least 30% interest in the team, suing two or more of the team’s 10 owners for that share if need be.

“I assure you that I have no intention of trying to force my way into the Vikings’ ownership or pressuring any owners to sell an interest to me,” Green said in his letter. “I intend to focus for the remainder of the season on leading the Vikings to the playoffs and ultimately Super Bowl XXXII.”

Tagliabue told Green and Viking President Roger Headrick that any disputes that cannot be resolved should be submitted to the commissioner for arbitration after the season.

That is the most definitive sign yet that Green may not be back in 1998 to fulfill the final year on his contract, for which he is scheduled to earn $900,000.

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Like the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings want out of the Metrodome and they want to piggyback on the baseball team’s Nov. 30 deadline for legislative action, which left lawmakers incredulous Friday.

“My response is a laugh,” said House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum.

In a special session Tuesday, lawmakers rejected all Twins stadium financing proposals. They are scheduled to reconvene Nov. 13. In the meantime, Gov. Arne Carlson has met with lawmakers to try to find a solution.

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Dallas Cowboy fullback Daryl Johnston is out for the rest of the season after neck surgery Friday. . . . The Washington Redskins bolstered their defensive line when they signed tackle Chris Zorich, who was waived by the Chicago Bears this week. Zorich is expected to play in Sunday’s game at Chicago.