Shuler wins, but Ryun, Swann lose

Former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler won a seat in the U.S. House, track great Jim Ryun lost his race and Super Bowl star and former USC receiver Lynn Swann fell short Tuesday in elections involving ex-athletes.

In Pasadena, Measure A, which proposed allowing the NFL to enter into a years-long contract with the Rose Bowl, appeared headed for defeat, with 75% of the voters opposing the measure. Critics of the measure argued that it would allow the NFL to destroy most of the historic stadium as part of a renovation and would allow too many events at the facility.

In Sacramento, a proposal for a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund a new arena for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings was rejected handily. With 59% of the votes counted, the measure had the support of only 20% of the voters. A companion measure, which called for a split of tax revenue between arena construction and other community projects had only 28% support.

Shuler beat a Republican incumbent for a congressional spot in North Carolina. The race had been considered a tossup, and was one of the closely watched campaigns in the effort by Democrats to regain control of the House of Representatives.

“They talk about these sports analogies that I use, but let me tell you what,” Shuler said in his victory speech. “It is about teamwork.”

Ryun, a Kansas Republican and once the world-record holder in the mile, lost in his bid for a sixth term in the House.

Swann, the Hall of Fame receiver, was beaten in his bid to become Pennsylvania’s governor.

Shuler, a Heisman Trophy runner-up at Tennessee who spent four unexceptional seasons in the NFL with Washington and New Orleans, defeated Rep. Charles Taylor, an eight-term Republican incumbent.

The 34-year-old ex-quarterback was born in the hills of western North Carolina and trumpeted what he called “mountain values.” He opposed abortion, supported gun rights and environmentalism and said the administration had gone astray on Iraq.

Ryun lost to Democrat Nancy Boyda. It was a rematch of the 2004 contest that Ryun won easily.

Swann, who won four Super Bowl crowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was unable to maximize his celebrity buzz.

The 54-year-old Republican lost to Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell.