Event Description: Generals Sign Barbaro
Source: United Press International
Gary Barbaro, an All-Pro free safety with Kansas City of the NFL, signed a multi-year contract Monday with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League in a deal he “couldn't turn down.”
“Money is not all of it,” said Barbaro. “I'm comfortable coming here and I wouldn't come if I wasn't convinced the USFL would be around.”
Barbaro said he was surprised Kansas City didn't try to peddle him to another NFL team and gain some kind of compensation.
“I think they wanted to show up the famous Howard Slusher, but I know I won,” he said.
Barbaro, a third-round draft choice by Kansas City in 1976 out of Nicholls State, was a holdout this season and didn't play at all for the Chiefs. He reportedly wanted a $1.2 million deal over three years from the Chiefs, while they countered with a three-year pact at $300,000 per year.
Realtor Donald Trump, the new owner of the Generals, said, “We signed Gary for three years, but he will be a General for much longer than that. Slusher had a list of eight NFL players, but Barbaro is my first choice on that list.”
Slusher said he was continuing to negotiate seriously with USFL clubs concerning at least two players on the list and expected some signings soon.
“We are not using the USFL as a bargaining factor with these players,” said Slusher. “I will do anything I can to help the players. The signing of Barbaro shows that the Generals are maturing. Usually, a new league signs glamour players at running back and quarterback.
Slusher indicated Barbaro's signing was a hallmark step and also revealed the NFL is signing almost all its quarterbacks and glamour running backs to long term contracts.
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