Event Date: October 18th, 1984
Event Description: Simmons Fines Gold
Source: United Press International
The Denver Gold of the U.S. Football League was fined $50,000 and the loss of a 1985 first-round draft choice by Commissioner Chet Simmons Thursday for tampering in its negotiations and signing of Coach Darrel 'Mouse' Davis.
Simmons announced his decision after a day of hearings in which it was determined the Gold had been “guilty of conduct detrimental to the best interests of the USFL.”
Simmons said the Gold should have attempted to obtain permission from the Houston Gamblers before signing Davis. He was signed by the Gold August 1st to replace Craig Morton as head coach.
“It is this type of conduct by the Gold that rules and regulations seek to prohibit,” Simmons said. “The discussion with Mr. Davis before even requesting such permission from the Gamblers was exacerbated by the fact it placed the organization in an extremely difficult and embarrassing position with the media, its fans and other partners in the league.”
In a related matter, the commissioner found the Gold not in violation of tampering rules in the team's subsequent signing of Gamblers coach June Jones as offensive coordinator.
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