'83 Chronology-Back to the Future

Event Date: March 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Ross Signs Future Contract

Source: UPI

Cincinnati Bengals' All-Pro tight end Dan Ross has signed a contract to play with the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League beginning in 1984. Breakers President Robert Caporale confirmed the signing Thursday.

Bengals assistant general manager Mike Brown said the agent for Ross told the Bengals Wednesday the fifth-year pro had signed a contract to play with the Breakers after completing the final year on his current pact with Cincinnati.

Brown said the Bengals were told by the agent, Tom Toner, they 'had until 2 o'clock tomorrow (Thursday) to quote "buy him out of the contract," end quote.

The asking price was over $1.5 million over four years, said Brown, and "we declined." Caporale said Ross signed a three-year contract with the Breakers Wednesday night but would not disclose the terms.

Ross, a Boston native and a Northeastern University graduate, has been among the Bengals' top receivers over the past two years. He set a team record in 1981 with 71 catches, and was the No. 2 receiver after Cris Collinsworth with 47 catches last season.

In other USFL news:

Officials from several college football conferences and the fledgling U.S. Football League have agreed to work together to reach an accord on recruiting policies.

The USFL raised the ire of many conferences by signing junior Herschel Walker to a multi-million dollar contract with the New Jersey Generals.

Walker, last year's Heisman Trophy winner and one of the leading rushers in the country, was the first underclassman to be recruited by a professional football league. Some conferences and other individual schools have barred USFL recruiters from their campuses, denying them access to game films or to talk with players.

Charlie McClendon, director of the American College Football Association, said he felt better about the relationship between the USFL and colleges after the meeting. “I'm satisfied we have established a working relationship with the USFL,” McClendon said.

Simmons assured the college representatives the league would not attempt to recruit any more undergraduates while discussions continued about permanent policies. McClendon said he understood that some athletes might have to be granted the option to market their abilities and pursue professional contracts.

Story-(UPI)