Coaching Legend Gillman Has Surgery

Sid Gillman, one of the most innovative coaches in football history, underwent surgery for an aortic aneurysm and probably will be hospitalized at least two weeks.

“We were real fortunate that they discovered it immediately,” his wife, Esther, said Friday from Scripps Hospital in Encinitas, Calif. “Everything is stable and looks very encouraging. They’re going to keep him sedated for about two days. He’s a fighter.”

Gillman, who turns 89 in October, was working with a personal trainer doing weight training and stretching Thursday when he passed out. Gillman was taken to the hospital, where the aneurysm was discovered, and he underwent surgery shortly thereafter.

Gillman is the only coach to be inducted into the College and Pro Football halls of fame. He coached the Rams from 1955-59, and the Chargers in Los Angeles and San Diego from 1960-71--their first 12 years of existence.

*

As part of an NFL experiment, five players each from the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings will wear high-tech hearing aids called “Noise Exterminators” during their exhibition game tonight at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

NFL officials think the tiny device, worn like a hearing aid, will help players hear quarterback snap counts through the fan noise.

The aids have been in use for two years but are just now being introduced into sports. They cost about $1,000-$1,500 each.

*

Running back Terrell Davis, the league’s MVP in Denver’s 1998 Super Bowl championship season, will play for the first time since his season-ending knee injury last Oct. 3 when the Broncos meet the Arizona Cardinals in Tempe, Ariz.

Bronco linebacker John Mobley could miss the Broncos’ season opener after doctors found a bone chip in his right knee Friday during surgery for torn cartilage. Mobley, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in Denver’s second game last season, is not expected to begin practicing for at least three weeks.

*

Running back Kimble Anders, tackle Victor Riley and cornerback Eric Warfield of the Kansas City Chiefs and receiver Joe Horn of the Saints are among 93 people on the prosecution’s witness list for the drug trial of former Chief running back Bam Morris.

Morris, who retired abruptly after last season, faces trial on Aug. 14 on charges he and two other men operated a marijuana distribution ring allegedly financed by former Kansas City kick returner Tamarick Vanover.

*

Oakland running back Randy Jordan rejoined the team after an on-field collision during practice Thursday sent him to the hospital. . . . Quarterback Ryan Leaf is expected to play tonight in San Diego’s exhibition opener against San Francisco. . . . Wendy Lovette Cole, who police say helped hide Carolina Panther receiver Rae Carruth after he was charged with murder, has surrendered to authorities. . . . Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler had surgery on his hip and he might be able to play in the team’s final exhibition game. . . . New Orleans signed defensive end Alfred Williams to a one-year, $440,000 contract. . . . Linebacker Dan Brandenburg, signed as a free agent in the off-season, has left the Philadelphia Eagles.

*

Green Bay, which hasn’t lost an exhibition game since 1998, kept the streak alive with a 37-24 victory over the New York Jets. In other exhibition games, Joe Hamilton tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Todd Yoder with 1:43 remaining to give Tampa Bay a 13-12 victory over Washington at Tampa, Fla. . . . Rookie linebacker Corey Moore blocked Doug Pelfrey’s last-second field-goal attempt as Buffalo held off Cincinnati, 21-20, at Orchard Park, N.Y. . . . Rookie Tom Brady’s 47-yard pass to Sean Morey set up Adam Vinatieri’s 28-yard field goal with two seconds to lift New England past Detroit, 13-10, at Pontiac, Mich. . . . Running back Stacey Mack scored twice as Jacksonville defeated Carolina, 34-14, at Charlotte, N.C.