NFL Notes: Bears’ Woolford hit with huge fine

Friday, Aug. 9, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Chicago Bears cornerback Donnell Woolford has been fined more than $400,000 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy when he was arrested for drunken driving, newspapers reported today.

"My agent told me I'm fined, and that's all I know. They sent a letter and there was a fine, but they didn't say how much. It didn't say anything about a suspension," Woolford said Thursday.

Citing uni dentified sources, the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times reported today that the fine was the equivalent of four games' pay. Woolford is to make $1.65 million this season; at that rate, a four-game fine would cost him $412,500.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Woolford could still be suspended by commissioner Paul Tagliabue for the cornerback's July 2 conviction for an offense in Chicago's north suburbs in May.

Woolford also was involved in a 1994 drunken driving incident, so he could be disciplined by the NFL as a second-time offender.

But his attorney, Thomas Briscoe, said last month that the cornerback was never officially convicted for the 1994 incident because Woolford was allowed to participate in a court-supervised program.

The issue is further clouded because the two arrests supposedly came during different NFL substance abuse policies.

Discipline for a first time alcohol-related offense generally carries a fine of one-half of one regular-season paycheck, to a maximum of $20,000.

Woolford was pulled over by Lincolnshire police on May 18 after he nearly collided with a squad car. A judge revoked Woolford's driving privileges for two years, imposed a $1,000 fine and 200 hours of community service, and placed him under a one-year ban on alcohol consumption.

The Bears were to practice in Platteville today before heading back to Chicago for Sunday's exhibition game at Soldier Field against the Miami Dolphins.

* EAGLES 30, JETS 16: Chris T. Jones caught two touchdown passes as the Eagles took advantage of six turnovers to beat the visiting Jets. Jones, who had five catches for 70 yards, and Irving Fryar, the veteran wide receiver whom the Eagles signed as a free agent, combined to pace a Philadelphia offense that passed for 203 of its 229 yards. Fryar had four catches for 94 yards. Gary Anderson hit three field goals as the Eagles evened their exhibition record at 1-1 while the Jets fell to 0-2.

* SEAHAWKS 24, RAIDERS 19: Ronnie Harris returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown and caught a 39-yard pass for another score as Seattle held off Oakland, spoiling the Raiders' debut in their newly refurbished stadium. The exhibition game in the expanded and modernized Oakland Coliseum was well short of a sellout and it wasn't televised locally. The Raiders didn't immediately announce the attendance. Seattle improved to 2-0, while Oakland dropped to 1-2 in exhibition play.

* BILLS 35, VIKINGS 12: Former UNLV star Henry Bailey, considered a longshot to make the team, scored on a 97-yard kickoff return and an 8-yard catch to lead Buffalo (1-1) over Minnesota (1-1). Jim Kelly, Todd Collins and Alex Van Pelt each threw touchdown passes for the Bills in a game that featured the debut of the NFL's experimental instant replay system. After abolishing instant replay following the 1991 season, the NFL is trying a new system this exhibition season. Thursday's game marked the first time it has been used.

* REVEIZ MAY QUIT: Kicker Fuad Reveiz, who has been hampered by a sore left ankle all summer, said he would meet with Minnesota Vikings officials today to discuss his future with the club. The 12-year NFL veteran said he was considering retirement. "I'm going to sit down with Denny (Green, Vikings coach) and decide what's best for all of us," Reveiz said. "I know I can't help the team right now. I don't want to be out there unless I know I can contribute at the level I'm accustomed to." Reveiz, who set an NFL record with 30 consecutive field goals, underwent surgery in February to remove bone chips and spurs in his left ankle. He has been on the sidelines since the start of training camp because the injury has been slow to heal.

* KAY ACCUSED: Former Denver Broncos receiver Clarence Kay was named in an arrest warrant in a knife attack on a paramedic, police said. Sgt. Mark Lewis said Kay was being sought on a warrant charging him with attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault. The warrant calls for him to be held on $500,000 bond. The attack occurred July 16 when Denver paramedic Nick Voth, 29, who had just come home after working the night shift, was confronted by a man in his backyard. The assailant stabbed Voth five times, but Voth was still wearing a flak jacket and his injuries were minor. Voth identified Kay as a possible suspect through a photo lineup.

* MOBLEY FINED: Rookie line backer John Mobley was fined $10,000 and defensive end Alfred Williams $7,500 for separate hits on San Francisco quarterbacks in an exhibition game last weekend. The NFL issued the fines after reviewing game film sent by 49ers coach George Seifert, who complained about hits on Gino Torretta and Steve Young.