Jury Orders Romanowski to Pay $340,000 in Damages

An Oakland jury ordered former Raider linebacker Bill Romanowski to pay ex-teammate Marcus Williams $340,000 in damages Tuesday for smashing the tight end’s face with a punch during a practice drill in 2003.

Williams had been seeking millions of dollars in damages for the Aug. 24, 2003, attack, saying it broke his left eye socket, shortened his memory, gave him double vision and depression, and ended his career after less than two seasons.

“We are very pleased with the verdict because it establishes that there are limits to the violence in football,” said Williams’ attorney, James Brosnahan.

Williams received $40,000 in medical expenses and $300,000 for lost wages -- about one season’s salary.

“I just hope it tells him to at least monitor his actions somewhat, be more responsible and think more about what you’re doing,” Williams said. “Kids watch football, kids play football. I think he has kids himself and we can’t teach them that something like this in football can happen.”

Jurors reached their verdict after deliberating for two days. Romanowski showed no visible emotion as the verdict was read, but his wife gave him a hug.

During the trial, Williams testified that after he blocked Romanowski during a running drill, Romanowski grabbed his helmet and then ripped it off before the crushing blow was delivered.

Neither side said it planned to appeal the verdict.

Romanowski was released by the Raiders last March after failing a physical.

Williams, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, played in 13 games as a rookie during Oakland’s Super Bowl season. He was used primarily on special teams but was trying to earn a regular position before the injury.

The Raiders have claimed they are not responsible for any damages and fined Romanowski $60,000. Romanowski was not charged with a crime. Romanowski, known for fanatical behavior, was fined more than $100,000 during his career.

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David Little, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1990, died while weightlifting at home in Miami. He was 46.

Little had heart disease, and a cardiac fluttering caused him to drop on his chest 250 pounds of weights, which rolled onto his neck and suffocated him, the coroner said.

His older brother, Larry Little, was an All-Pro guard for the Miami Dolphins.

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Guard Matt O’Dwyer, 32, agreed to a one-year, $765,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers after missing all but the final four games last season with Tampa Bay because of a chest injury, his agent said.... The New England Patriots re-signed linebacker Don Davis, 32.... Former Jacksonville Jaguar safety Anthony Mitchell signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Soccer

Kamani Hill scored a breakaway goal one minute into extra time to give the U.S. under-20 men’s team a 2-1 victory over Argentina in the opener of the Suwon International Youth tournament at Suwon, South Korea.

Martin Fabro scored the game’s first goal in the eighth minute for Argentina and the U.S. tied it on Chad Barrett’s goal in the 19th minute.

With the victory, Coach Sigi Schmid increased his undefeated international record to 8-0-0 since taking over in October.

The Columbus Crew acquired midfielder Mario Rodriguez on loan from Municipal of Guatemala, the team said. Rodriguez, 23, is a regular starter on the Guatemalan national team.

Miscellany

Fearing he might have to retire from golf, two-time British Open champion Greg Norman, 50, had back surgery in Pittsburgh and hopes to resume playing within three months.

Miami senior defensive tackle Orien Harris will miss the rest of spring practice to recover from shoulder surgery but expects to be ready for the regular season.

Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, will appeal the Greek decision to clear sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou of evading drug tests if the IAAF, track and field’s governing body, doesn’t do it. Pound would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The U.S. (7-1) lost for the first time at this year’s World Women’s Curling Championship, falling to Sweden, 6-4. It briefly regained first place with a 9-4 win over Finland, but Sweden (7-0) moved back to first by beating Finland, 11-4.

T.J. Simers is on vacation.