The Leaf-Chronicle from Clarksville, Tennessee • 13

tors did Urn it the amount of time he was able to play for that barnstorming team, Local fans may recall that whert (h -Hoopsteri, played for APSU's Dunft "They would fiive to fake i tendon from, somewhere else ind attach It to sy ke Arid (here wtre no guarantees thai If 1 had (he operation 1 would ever be able lo play igain," lot of (he guys on the team want to 10 Into business with me became Vm He will alsoTe affiliated with (he Cowboys. "I'll pi working pyf-dme in bowl championship. His troubles all started In that battle Ulth Denver. Thal'i whedie iifsf injured thai fight knee.w- He had an operation, and went thrcAigti several months of therapy to try to get that knee in shape for the The doctors had bad news fof Percy Howard. His football career Is probably over.

n.i L'ftuMd fcy a knee fftjury he suffered In I J97 game egainst the Denver Broncos. That war enry hrs second yeaFisT professional football player. 'Howard Is a former Austin Peay Stale University basketball star, When his College career was over, he was In-; vlted to try out for the Dallas Cowboys football team. ffe dld-and he made the team. The highlight of his career: was duf-Ing thffvl976 Superbowl, when he became (he first rookie ever to catch a touchdown pass in the world championship game.

If you watch National" Football League highlight fiims-ihey sometimes turn up as "filler" shows on late-night of weekend televlslon-you ire bound to see a replay of that spectacular pass reception from time to time. The Cowboys went oft to lose the bangamen Then-came. Howard's sophomore season. He itarted it all full of youthful optimism. He was anxious to repeal his previous year's feat-only this time he hoping it would be leading to a Super- nat.

-m4 Tt- td oul (he operation, "I'm just not going Ho havt rtghttmwf heiai-rrrritnr trying to decide if I should, I don'i want -le cripple myseifr- "Whaf 1 have decided li ihi I'm not -going to play football this football season." He will decide later if he Is going to nave the surgery and attempt a com- eback. A big part of that depends upon how his business ventures in Dallas go. flight now, he is the owner of a day care center. His wife Fat is the administrator of the center which serves 79 children, He is also investigating the possibility of opening an employment agency Stong vmii owboy star Thomas Henderson and a sporting goodsetore-along with Ed Tall'-Jones and Henderson. lo addition, his lawyers are looking Into getting him a partnership in an ice company.

"1 have so many ways to go," he said. WIMBLEDON, England (AP) Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors, top seeds- in the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, had to fight long and hard Saturday before getting through to the last Id. Borg, the defending champion, overcame Jaime Fillol of Chile 6-4, 8-2, (-4 and confessed he is not playing as well as last year. "I want so badly to win this title three times in a row, and 1 am thinking about It on the important points" the Swedish star said. Connors was on court for nearly 3 hours before wearing down 32-year-old Tom Gorman 6-4, s-e, s-, 6-3.

Eight American men will line up in the last 16. Because bad weather this week has put the tournament behind schedule, they will have to play singles matches Monday and Tuesday in their bid for the first prize of $34,000. Around 30,000 people milled around in the grounds of the All-England club and many struggled in vain to get a glimpse of the stars on the outer courts. Connors and Chris Eveft top favorite for the women's title, both had to push their way through dense crowds (o play on these courts Evert dropped a set before defeating Laura Dupont of the United States 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 and admitted that playing away from the center court upsets her. "I never concentrate so well on those outside courts," she said.

"I keep looking across at the big scoreboard and seeing how the others are doing. Gorman served well against Connors, and the left-hander had problems on a damp, uneven grass court. Gorman led 3-1 in the second set, but could not hold Citrus Open earlier this year, shot a 68 for a four-underpar 212 total. Irwin, the 1975 Western winner, shot a 71 Saturday and said, "I've been playing well and hopefully Well have (hTlee markers back tomorrow when the course will favor long hitters." 7 He stopped shot of putting himself and Rogers in that class but said. "I'm longer than he is and that's the guy I'm trying to For the second straight day, rain 'Boogie Joe' Center early this spring, Howard only played the first IS minutes ortfieTirsI half before benching himself, "My leg was just not working lgfifr he said.

"There is a padding between the bones frr the kneemrd whew that: padding wears down, the pain starts." So It was back for. mere therapy -Then Howard went to see Cowboys' or thopedie surgeon, Dr, Marvin Knight, Howard dreaded that visit to the doctor, fearing what the doctor would tell him, And his fears were correct. Knight told hint his- knee was pretty well and his football days were pro-babiy over, Knight was the man who operated on Howard all three times. "Knowing the way the knee felt, kind of expected it," Howard said, "1 knew something had to be done," Howard was not satisfied with ohe diagnosis, "So he went uplo Green Say, Wise, lo see What thf Packers' doctor had (V say. He was not much more encourag- f'He (old me that In order for me (o be able to play again, would have to have reconstructive surgery'-said Howard.

Crouching Former Wimbledon champion Jimmy Connors crouches to retara a shot by Tom Gorman dnrlng men's singlet play at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships Saturday, Connors was on the court for nearly three konra before wearing down Gorman, t-4r S-e, 81, Action was snapped' by an Associated Press photographer. hit a two-iron within 40 feet of the pin and two-putted. "It's the end of the round but it's a turning point," said Rogers. "Some of the putts went in today antl I continued to mt the ball Clarksville's Mason, Rudolph didn't fare too well Saturday, Rudolph, who 'made the cut here for only the third time this year, shot a 78 Saturday to put him at 223 going into today's final sMcLendonwinner of -the Florida Call Him relentless Srh ocn Reflecting.on his snowing seasof It Seemed nounrf. He teonrint in aijrn drills ready i year! igo, still filled with optimism, -He was running pass routes full speedand his knee fen apart again.

He had another operation, Then he had another because he was losing motor control hi hts fight foot. All of that sidelined him fof last season when (her Cowboys won the SuperbowOfe did share In the victory by coaching the, receivers during the garni and received a ''generous" share of the Superbowl wlnner'i purse, Howard worked hard to get his leg in shape for (his corning season. This com ing season was especially important fof who are active fof four yearsrecelve the full NFL when (hey are 45 years old. That pension is generous, to say (he least, Howard was playing for the Dallas Cowboys Hoopsters basketball team during a part of the off-season. His doc That gave Rogers a twostroke lead over Mac McLendon and Hale Irwin in the chase for the $43,000 top prize from the $225,000 Rogers who-had TntsseHheetit: to" five of his past eight tournaments In cluding last week's Canadian Open, shot a 33 on the back nine.

His tee shot on the last hole went into a hazard but was a few feet out of the water, tU -U His backswing Was restricted as. he chopped the ball into the fairway, leav- ing his hall 210 yards from the hoje. He SELMA, Ala. (AP) Now thetr scoutms deftarifnenf it i the hut "lllJiegjtadiflg films, grading college athletes and' going on the road in the spring, to time lomeoftheguyi." Howard emphasised that his day care center is already a success If the other businesses bloom, he may forget about even trying to make a comeback in a final try to gain that lucr atiteTfensrw Howard had dreamt of gaining that pension, then retiring from football and trying out for a National BasfetrM" Association team. Now he realises hit rtrparrm ttt a future as an active professional athlete may be over for good.

"It been so good to me," Howard said of football. "But It's been so short. I really began to fall In love with ft. For my career to be cut short, so abrupt But he Is not looking back. "Football has given me a start in life.

You can't ask for much more. Now 1 Just have to take -the ball and run with it." on. Both Americans broke servrce twice in the seesawing third set, and Gorman had a set point at 7 6 before going on to win the tiebreaker. Besides-Connors, five other Americans won third-roimd matches Saturday. Two others Tom Leonard and Vitas-, Gerulaitis advanced Roscoe Tanner's cannonball service took hifff past Fred McNairjrf the United States 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Sandy Mayer outlasted 36year-old American Marty Riessen, who is competing in his 15th Wimbledon, 8-6, 7-5, 6-3 Brian Gottfried was kept at full stretch fpr two sets but then pulled away to eliminate Atlari Stone Australia 6-8, 6-1. Tim Gullikson, the righthander of the Dayton, Ohio, twins, whipped fellow-American Billy Martin 6-3, 9-7, Californian. Jtank Pfister needed nearly 3 hours to crack Nick Saviano, officially No. 51 in the United States, Hie Nastase put 'out the other Gullikson twin, left-handed Tom. 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 but had a hard time doing it.

The Romanian entertained the center court crowd by clowning and arguing With the umpire occasionally, but he won the match by sheer artistry. Two Australians eliminated two South Africans. Geoff Masters downed the white-capped Frew McMillan 6-3, 7-3, 6-3. John Alexander won the first set-8-6 against 'Bob Hewitt, who then limped off with an ankle injury. Monday's fourth-round lineup: Borg vs.

Masters; Wojtek--Fibak, Poland, vs, Mayer; Tom Okker, the oqev soaked the par-72, Butler National course, causing a 15-minute delay in the start of the third round and 20Hminute suspension o( play latein the morning. Three rain delays totalfng 2 hours, 54 minutes marred Friday's round. Defending champion Tom tied for the second-round lead with For- rest Fezler at four-under-par, shot a 74 and was four strokes back at 214. Fezler came in with a 78 and was eight back. commercial Dlavs on Frazier's the ring son.

Marvls, With in "Look for Through with PERCY HOWARD Netherlands, vs Leonard; Nastase vs. Tanner; Gottfried vs. Gullikson; Pfister vs. Gerulaitis; Raul RamireS, Mexico, vs. John Newcombev Australia; Alexander vs.

Connors. 4 In other action Saturday, Tracy Austin, 15-year-old prodigy from Rolling Hills, downed American Barbara Hallquist 6-3, 6-3 and reached the last 16 of the women's singles. America's other high school starlet, Pam Shriver of Lutherville, Met, almost sprang the sensation of the day against British Wightman Cup star Sue Barker on the center court Pam had three match points in the se cohd sef and led 3-0 in the third before bowing to greater experience Barker won 6-2, 6-8, 7-5. Virginia Wade, defending champion, had her British fans on tenterhooks before edging past Yvonne Vermaak Of South Africa 64, 4-6, 7-5. Billie Jean King, a six-time Wimbledon singles champion, trailing by one set and 0-3, came back in true professional style and defeated RenaCa Tomanova of Czechoslovakia 4-6.

6-Js 6-3. Martina Navratilova, the exilea" Czech, also came from behind eliminate American Barbara Jordan -6, 6-1, 6-4. Evonne Goolagong Mjf Australia, seeded third behind and Navratilova, beat Janet Newberry of the United States 6-4, 6-3. One seed in the women's singles bowed out. Ruta Gerulaitis, 22-year-otd sister of Vitas, thrashed Marita Redort-do 6-0, 6-2.

Redondo was made No. 16 seed when Rosie Casals pulled out of the tournament with an ankle injury, I On I ill Regwi MM irwM Mm McLflfttfOA OIKHr fMI Hmcock OrMum Mnti ftf WMMT Tom Wition ok tmm CMwll im CIm ClMrm Cootfy Tom Kilt Aim Minor Andy lom Goorg urn Ttrry OKm Do January Tom MmosoA Lamy Wodkino i II. OAK BROOK. 111. (AP) Bill Rogers the third-round leader in the Western Open golf tournament, finish-j.

ed an otherwise good round with a boffev on thtt IRth holo RntlirH.iv Rul ha was talking almost as if he had wound 5 up with a f'trpr'r: i "1 was glad to make 5 on 18 I really hit a terrible tee shot there and really could have spoiled a good round," he said after shooting a three-under-par 69 for a six-under 210 total. "I could have i made 6, 7, 8, anything. I made 5." a. JOE FRAZIER i 9. ft Roy Joe's Just Beltiri Out Songs Into my own feelings, I just boogie my own thing." The ex-champ is hoping to sign with a "big record company" soon.

He's got 10-12 original tunes and is hoping to cut an album. So far. though, his biggest success has beea-a television commercial for beer. stays in fighting shape. But For his boxing is just the beginnings fatherly pride.

Frazier boasts of Mar-vlsnning the Golden Glove championship Pennsylvania the last two years, and adds. Marvis in the 1980 Olympics." Marvis. Frazier stays in touch boxing: And what's going on now in the But even the boxing successr In he sings, then heavyweight" ranks escape if menacingly at his audience until they begin to champ's attention, either. boxing career, Frazier, in an understatement, says, "I had some very exciting But bis singing career, he insists, is "not jost something to fall back on." It is "my life now," he says. Frazier is here In Selma to perform at "KK's Bogue Chitto Git Down No.

IV," A five: day rock festival featuring Redd Foxx, Millie Jackson, B.T. Express and Rare Earth. When It comes 1 to music, the former heavyweight champion has no music preference. "I tike it all, If it's good, especially if it tells a story," he says. Breaking Into a song, then interrupting himself, he adds, "Man, that's my kind of music." His act Is a mixed bag, "some rock, some rhythm and blues, some country and western." Ha says, "Whatever I like.

I put It rhythm Joe Frazier once used to stalk his quarry in the boxing ring is now the driving force behind the former heavyweight champion's pursuit of a new career. With an eight piece band and four back-up singers, Frazier is trying to muscle into the music business the way be came through th heavyweight rankscsnokin'. Only now Smokin' Joe is Boog(e Joe. "I've got a good says the ex-champ. "I get excited about it, as much as I did about boxing.

I enjoy what I'm doing, even though it'? scary sometimes." v- As scary as some of his fights? "Boxing was always fun," says Frazier, -who in 1971 handed Muhammad All his first defeat in 32 fights. "I enjoyed it and I would never take anything In the place of fighting," Frazier acknowledges. that his boxing exploits occasionally overshadow his singing, forcing him to "try to get across to people that my family roots are in singing." He's confident that he can get his message across, however. As for boxing, "it's all over now for me." says Frazier, who despite his retirement from Arter Leon Splnks recent defeat of All. Frazier toyed with the idea of a but resisted the temptation.

As for the Ali-Spinks contest. Frazier savs. "In my mind. All beat him." Asked he considers the best heavyweight today, Frazier says. "All is the best.".