The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 139

SIV SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24. 1989 CI 3fl LOS ANGELES TIMES SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUTTS bent fullback, but because the incumbent had already established himself as a starter, it was just accepted that you would do a lot of blocking and not a lot of talking. They remember how you dealt with that deciding to ride it out because only losers run from problems, and you don't consider yourself a loser. And most of all. they remember how you used to be, and they see that you haven't changed.

Through it ail. through the high school successes, the college frustrations and. finally, the spotlight of the NFL, you're still the same old guy. "He's always been a pretty regular guy." Moore says. "He's always trying to help people out help them make it" So these are the people Butts trusts.

He knows they aren't Just hanging around now because they see him on television or read about him in the newspapers. "There are a lot of individuals that are not really your friends, that just want to be around you because of your success." Butts says. "That's why you don't try to gain new friends, you just keep with your old friends." Basically, Butts has kept his simple life style even though his role as a football player has become much more complicated. There was a time when all anybody expected of him was an occasional quick burst at the goal line, plus a lot of reliable blocking and special teams play. Henning thought this seventh-round pick was a blocking back.

Butts did, too. But Gary Anderson, because of failed contract negotiations, never showed up this year. So the Charg ers were forced to find a replacement for his 1,119 rushing yards, third in the AFC last season. The comparison is almost comical There aren't two more different running backs than Anderson and Butts. Anderson is a half-inch shorter and 67 pounds lighter.

He plays with a certain grace, makes people miss and has outstanding receiving skills. Butts is a meat-and-potatoes back who usually tramples over people and still needs work in the pass-catching department He doesn't sneak up on yoa Durable might be the best word to describe Butts. The best description of his style comes from Wayne McDuffie, Florida State's offensive coordinator. "You worry about him hurting other people, not other people hurting him." But steadily and surely, just the way he runs, Butts is changing his image as a one-dimensional, rock-'em-sock-'era power back. "When we got him in training camp, we tried to find out what his total capacities were," Henning says.

"And obviously, they're higher than we figured." That Butts has gained 667 yards for a 4.3-yard average per carry and nine touchdowns is even a surprise to him. He figured he'd be doing about the same stuff he did at Florida State. "I wasn't really considering being the back that I am now," he says. "I thought basically, that my assignment would probably be special teams. But if you start giving a guy the ball, and he's breaking good runs, why take him out? Let him keep running." Butts plans to keep running.

Right now. he's not thinking about anything else. He had to fly home to Georgia two weeks ago for his mother's funeral He returned in time to gain 72 yards and score a touchdown in the Chargers' 26-21 loss to the Washington Redskins. This is football season. He will put the emotions of his mother's death on hold until after Sunday's game with the Denver Broncos, until the season is over, and he can afford to think about something besides football.

"That's something you've got to put in the back of your head." Butts says. "There's really nothing you can do about that but just work with it in your spare time. Whenever you have time to deal with that situation, you do it But once you're out here performing in football, you just perform to the best of your ability and let the other stuff come as it comes." So for now, Marion Butts will conGnue doing what he is doing, what he is comfortable with. He will practice. He will play.

And when the football business is done for the day, he will go home and watch television. Somebody else can go to the night clubs, somebody else can go out raising up a storm, or raising Arizona or whatever else. "I don't mingle around in society," he says. "I'm a social individual, but I don't really socialize that much, because there are a lot of individuals out there really looking to get an individual such as myself in trouble, introduce me to something that's bad. I don't go places that I think would jeopardize my career or my ability.

I stay home. That's the best place for yoa" C)Btliaeal from CI "A lot of athletes change greatly when they become professionals." he says. "You're on such a high. They stop speaking to old friends. They speak to who they want to speak to and do what they want to da "You got to realize they're only people.

They're high and mighty this second. The next week, they can be dead broke." So Butts makes a point of keeping in touch with his humble beginnings. He frequently calls his best friend. Michael Moore, back home in Sylvester. Ga.

Moore played with Butts at Worth County High School You don't forget friends like that friends who "stuck beside you when you had nothing." "You got to stick with your friends." Butts says. "You've got to put yourself in your friend's situation. If a person makes it why did he suddenly just put you down? It really hurts you. You say 'How could he do this to We were friends, and now you've Just plain forgottea" Friends remember what it was like before you were a big shot They remember when you broke your leg as a junior in high school and were told you would never play again. They remember when you amazed everybody and came back as a senior, dragging enough tacklers with you to earn all-state honors.

They remember what you went through at Florida State, where you were better than the incum- I I II IK i VINCE COMPAGNONE UeAngTune Rookie Marion Butts keeps a low profile off the field. "He's always been a pretty regular guy," says his best friend, Michael Moore. 1 F(xu fplTri A fMirprp San Diego Day in Sports COLLEGES 89 rVttrtonraieii WR 91 IrsaeONea) DC 92 BulGrosiman OE 95 JoeCamrjoel LB 97 GeorfjertnUe DE 99 Leerkamt OE MONCOS RESULTS MEN'S USKfTMU H.UCS0M .08 OB UCSO (54( lecdson 4. CaUroroe 2. Ran 15.

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UCSD shot 38 from the field, Idaho 58. Idaho is 8-2. The UC San Diego men's basket-ball team was routed by host Idaho, 95-54. in a nonconference game Saturday night Idaho was led by center Riley Smith (19 points) and guard Ron Shields 17). Avocado scored 17 points in his first game back and appears to be ready to contribute.

"He sees the court so well," Oceanside Coach Steve Kinder said of Garrett, a 6-1 senior point guard. "He's real coachable and he really does have some basketball skills. He is a very unselfish player who will help us a lot" Jenkins, a 6-2 Junior forward, was the MVP of the Junior varsity last year. Jenkins, Garrett and sophomore guard Carl Mathis should make Oceanside quicker and more of a perimeter team than it has been in the past "I'm going to give them the green light from three-point range," Kinder said. "We're also going to try and run the ball We're going to try and incorporate some of the USIU style and still use that pressing Pirate defense." Continue frmCl3A last year for a club team in Madrid.

"He's only the second exchange student that has ever made the team." Schaeffer said. "He's an extremely hard worker and he practices welL" If you can believe it. Brown, a Junior, is a shooting guard. "He's the shortest player I've ever coached." Schaeffer said. "He's very quick and exciting to watch.

TIm fritfbffitf factor: Oceanside's Jerry Garrett and Marlon Jenkins were declared eligible last week and suddenly the Pirates are a contender for the league championship. Garrett, who has been academically ineligible since last fall. fight to the finish for fillies and mares. First race is 1:00 pun. this Wednesday through Sunday.

Just make sure you come out and get in your final holiday cheers. Because after Sunday, the horses are leaving your backyard and riding off into the sunset This is it! The last exciting weekend of satellite wagering from Hollywood Park. And your last chance to see all the action without traveling far from home. Our special grand finale weekend features the $100,000 Native Diver Handicap this Saturday. And Sunday, don't miss the $200,000 Matriarch, a Grade I Hi The new faster-format Del Mar Satellite Wagering 22fiO Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Del Mar, CA 92014 619755-1 167 Off Interstate 5 at Via De La Valle. lb begin home delivery, ca9 1-80OLA TIMES..