24.09.2007, 09:06
Miami Herald
Miami, Florida
9 July 1975
Redskins sizing up 7-4 Giant
washington -- (upi) -- at a news conference worthy of paul bunyan and his great blue ox, babe, the Washington redskins suggested tuesday they were interested in signing a seven-foot four-inch, more than one-fifth of a ton professional wrestler, known as andre the giant, for defensive purposes.
in conjunction with a local wrestling promoter, tim temmerario, director of personnel of the redskins and joe theismann, a prospective starting quarterback replacement for sonny jurgenen, served as co-spokesman for the 425-pound behemoth.
temmerario, a veteran scout, acknowledged that andre (whose last name is roussimoff from grenoble, france) probably wouldn't be a contender for a defensive lineman's spot at carlisle, pa., when the redskins open their preseason camp sunday.
coughing a little, tim related that about four months ago redskin coach george allen told a staff meeting that he'd like to find something "unusual" for defensive purposes such as an agile seven-footer to create consternation in opposing ranks. temmerario said he got word of andre the giant and initiated possible free agent negotiations with promoter vince mc mahon.
"i wouldn't mind working him out," the redskin representative said of the 29 year-old andre who wears a 22-size shoe and has never attended a football game. he's certainly a hunk of material but he'd have to have more than size."
temmerario acknowledged that he had discussed the prospect off andre as an nfl player several times by phone and added that allen "talked to me this morning and encouraged me to come down to the news conference."
"we're interested in him," he said, "but there are problems such as his heavy wrestling schedule and the fact he makes so much money from it. however, nothing is impossible."
temmerario quickly added that the bushy-haired gigantic wrestler wasn't expected at carlisle. "I made the call to him" I'll admit that," he commented. "that's all I'll admit."
theismann, the former notre dame quarterback who played in the canadian pro league, told the news conference he had seen andre wrestle professionally on television. after firmly identifying himself as "only the mc," he commented: "with his size, I'll call andre 'sir'. I'd rather have him with me than against me"
Miami, Florida
9 July 1975
Redskins sizing up 7-4 Giant
washington -- (upi) -- at a news conference worthy of paul bunyan and his great blue ox, babe, the Washington redskins suggested tuesday they were interested in signing a seven-foot four-inch, more than one-fifth of a ton professional wrestler, known as andre the giant, for defensive purposes.
in conjunction with a local wrestling promoter, tim temmerario, director of personnel of the redskins and joe theismann, a prospective starting quarterback replacement for sonny jurgenen, served as co-spokesman for the 425-pound behemoth.
temmerario, a veteran scout, acknowledged that andre (whose last name is roussimoff from grenoble, france) probably wouldn't be a contender for a defensive lineman's spot at carlisle, pa., when the redskins open their preseason camp sunday.
coughing a little, tim related that about four months ago redskin coach george allen told a staff meeting that he'd like to find something "unusual" for defensive purposes such as an agile seven-footer to create consternation in opposing ranks. temmerario said he got word of andre the giant and initiated possible free agent negotiations with promoter vince mc mahon.
"i wouldn't mind working him out," the redskin representative said of the 29 year-old andre who wears a 22-size shoe and has never attended a football game. he's certainly a hunk of material but he'd have to have more than size."
temmerario acknowledged that he had discussed the prospect off andre as an nfl player several times by phone and added that allen "talked to me this morning and encouraged me to come down to the news conference."
"we're interested in him," he said, "but there are problems such as his heavy wrestling schedule and the fact he makes so much money from it. however, nothing is impossible."
temmerario quickly added that the bushy-haired gigantic wrestler wasn't expected at carlisle. "I made the call to him" I'll admit that," he commented. "that's all I'll admit."
theismann, the former notre dame quarterback who played in the canadian pro league, told the news conference he had seen andre wrestle professionally on television. after firmly identifying himself as "only the mc," he commented: "with his size, I'll call andre 'sir'. I'd rather have him with me than against me"