Hamilton retires as Giants' fourth all-time leading sacker

Associated Press

New York Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton retired yesterday, ending a 12-year NFL career in which he finished fourth in franchise history in sacks.

Hamilton had been considering retiring since at least December, confronted with a coaching change and a pending cocaine charge.

"It took me a while. I've been going back and forth with it for a couple of weeks," the 32-year-old Hamilton said in a statement released yesterday by the team. "I've talked about it with my family, and it's time for me to move on."

After missing the final 10 games of the 2002 season with an Achilles' tendon injury, Hamilton started all 15 games he played this season. The Giants finished 4-12.

"I planned on coming back and getting to the Super Bowl. I wanted it to be a storybook ending. But sometimes in life things don't always work out the way you planned."

Hamilton finished tied for sixth on the team with 68 tackles, including 51 solo, this season. He had 1 1/2 sacks and a season-high 12 tackles, including seven solo, against Buffalo on Nov. 30.

His 173 games with the Giants tied Harry Carson for sixth on the franchise's career list. He finished with 526 tackles, including 376 solo. Hamilton, a fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 1992, had 63 career sacks, good enough for fourth in team history.

Hamilton was indicted in November on a cocaine possession charge stemming from a motor vehicle stop in May. If convicted, he faces a prison term of three to five years. He has pleaded innocent.

BRONCOS

Elway testifies in owners' battle: Less than a week after being voted into the Hall of Fame, former quarterback John Elway took the stand yesterday in the long-simmering dispute between the current and former owners of the Denver Broncos.

Former owner Edgar Kaiser says he was cheated of a chance to buy back part ownership of the football team that has been part of Denver's fabric for decades.

His federal lawsuit accuses current owner Pat Bowlen of distributing ownership interests in the Broncos to family members in violation of their 1984 sale agreement. Kaiser also said Bowlen gave Elway a chance to buy a stake in the team, despite a provision that gave Kaiser the first shot at any such offer.

If Kaiser wins, a second trial will be held to determine what Bowlen owes Kaiser, which could include monetary damages — or even a chance to buy a share of the team.

Bowlen's attorneys, however, say Kaiser was aware of Bowlen's ownership plans and that Kaiser is trying to buy back a share of the team at 1984 prices.

Elway testified yesterday that from the time Kaiser sold the team he understood Bowlen to be the team owner. But he also said it was common knowledge within the organization that members of Bowlen's family had some ownership involvement.

Kaiser bought the Broncos for about $30 million in 1981. Bowlen bought a 60.8 percent stake from Kaiser for $65 million three years later, and bought the rest from minority shareholders in 1985.

Elway said that after he retired from the team in 1999, Bowlen offered him a deal to buy up to a 20 percent stake in the team and work for Bowlen, eventually becoming the team's chief operations officer. Elway said he decided against taking Bowlen's offer because he didn't want to be a minority shareholder.

Bowlen's attorneys have disputed Kaiser's claim to a right of first refusal, and said the question was moot because Elway declined the offer.

BUCCANEERS

Johnson gets restraining order: Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson was ordered yesterday to stay away from an Oakland, Calif., man who was dating his ex-wife, attorneys said.

John Mahannah Jr., 31, of Richmond, said Johnson threatened to kill him, "beat him to a pulp," made repeated harassing phone calls and chased after him at a funeral both men attended, according to court documents. Four men had to hold Johnson back from attacking Mahannah in public, the document said.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Julie Conger yesterday granted a restraining order valid for three years. Johnson will be allowed to visit his ex-wife's home, where his two children live. A temporary restraining order issued last month required Johnson to stay away from her residence.

Johnson, who was deactivated late last season, has apologized for his conduct, said John Burris, Johnson's lawyer.

Johnson was upset with Mahannah because he believed Mahannah was going to interfere with his efforts to reconcile with his ex-wife, Shikiri Hightower, Burris said.

Johnson and Hightower are vacationing together in Mexico, Burris said.

But Mahannah said he still has reason to fear for his life.

Johnson's last threatening phone call was made Jan. 20, after the temporary restraining order was issued, Mahannah said.

"I've been going through pretty much hell," Mahannah said.

Mahannah said he's upset the district attorney has refused to file criminal charges against Johnson.

All events subject to change. For information, call the Pro Bowl hotline at 233-4635. Admission free for all Aloha Stadium practices. Enter through Gate 4.

TODAY

• 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Pro Bowl Youth Clinic at Waipi'o Soccer Stadium. Middle school youngsters will participate from 7:45 to 10:45; high school youngsters from 11 to 12:30. Participants have already been selected, but fans may watch NFL players such as Itula Mili (Seahawks), Jason Gesser (Titans), Maake Kemoeatu (Ravens) and Kevin Mawae (Jets) provide instruction and tips. Mayor Jeremy Harris will make a special presentation to Jim Steeg of the NFL at 10:30, commemorating the Pro Bowl's 25th year in Hawai'i.
• 9 a.m. — NFC practice at Aloha Stadium.
• 10 a.m. — AFC practice at Aloha Stadium.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Pro Football Festival and Fan Appreciation Day at Kapi'olani Park, presented by the Paradise Yellow Pages (admission free).
• 6 p.m. — Sunset at the Beach at Queen's Beach, Waikiki. See football movie "Radio" on the beach.
• 8 p.m. — 25th Anniversary Pro Bowl concert and party at Waikiki Shell, featuring K.C. and the Sunshine Band and Papa Doo Run Run. Tickets available at the Blaisdell Arena box office and Ticketmaster.com (877) 750-4400.

TOMORROW

• 11 a.m. — Aloha Stadium parking gates open.
• 11:30 a.m. — Aloha Stadium gates open.
• 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Official NFL Tailgate Party, "Surfin' NFL," at Richardson Field. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, (877) 750-4400, and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers. Features free autographs from NFL players, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots, and music and entertainment.
• 2:30 p.m. — 2004 NFL Pro Bowl Game. AFC All-Stars vs. NFC All-Stars at Aloha Stadium.

Pro Bowl rosters

x-injured, will not play; y-injury replacement; z-starter; n-need player; w-will not play; r-replacement

AFC

Offense

• Wide Receivers — z-Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; z-Chad Johnson, Cincinnati; Derrick Mason, Tennessee; Hines Ward, Pittsburgh.
• Tackles — z-Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore; xz-Willie Roaf, Kansas City; Willie Anderson, Cincinnati; yz-Brad Hopkins.
• Guards — z-Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; z-Will Shields, Kansas City; Ruben Brown, Buffalo.
• Centers — z-Kevin Mawae, New York; Tom Nalen, Denver.
• Tight Ends — z-Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City; Todd Heap, Baltimore.
• Quarterbacks — z-Steve McNair, Tennessee; Trent Green, Kansas City; Peyton Manning, Indianapolis.
• Running Backs — z-Jamal Lewis, Baltimore; Priest Holmes, Kansas City; Clinton Portis, Denver.
• Fullback — z-Tony Richardson, Kansas City.

Defense

• Ends — z-Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; z-Adewale Ogunleye, Miami; Shaun Ellis, New York.
• Interior Linemen — z-Richard Seymour, New England; z-Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville; Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh.
• Outside Linebackers — z-Keith Bulluck, Tennessee; z-Takeo Spikes, Buffalo; x-Peter Boulware, Baltimore; y-Willie McGinest, New England.
• Inside Linebackers — z-Ray Lewis, Baltimore; Zach Thomas, Miami; n-Al Wilson, Denver.
• Cornerbacks — z-Ty Law, New England; Chris McAlister, Baltimore; z-Patrick Surtain, Miami.
• Strong Safety — z-Ed Reed, Baltimore.
• Free Safety — z-Brock Marion, Miami; Jerome Woods, Kansas City.

Specialists

• Punter — z-Craig Hentrich, Tennessee.
• Placekicker — z-Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis.
• Kick Return Specialist — z-Dante Hall, Kansas City.
• Special Teamer — xz-Adalius Thomas, Baltimore; yz-Gary Stills, Kansas City.

NFC

Offense

• Wide Receivers — z-Anquan Boldin, Arizona; z-Torry Holt, St. Louis; x-Randy Moss, Minnesota; x-Terrell Owens, San Francisco; y-Laveranues Coles, Washington; y-Keenan McCardell, Tampa Bay.
• Tackles — z-Flozell Adams, Dallas; z-Orlando Pace, St. Louis; Walter Jones, Seattle.
• Guards — z-Larry Allen, Dallas; z-Marco Rivera, Green Bay; x-LeCharles Bentley, New Orleans; y-Steve Hutchinson, Seattle.
• Centers — x-Olin Kreutz, Chicago; z-Matt Birk, Minnesota; y-Mike Flanagan, Green Bay.
• Tight Ends — x-Jeremy Shockey, New York; z-Alge Crumpler, Atlanta; y-Bubba Franks, Green Bay.
• Quarterbacks — z-Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota; x-Brett Favre, Green Bay; x-Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia; y-Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle; y-Marc Bulger, St. Louis.
• Running Backs — z-Ahman Green, Green Bay; Stephen Davis, Carolina; x-Deuce McAllister, New Orleans; y-Shaun Alexander, Seattle.
• Fullback — z-Fred Beasley, San Francisco.

Defense

• Ends — z-Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay; z-Michael Strahan, New York; Leonard Little, St. Louis.
• Interior Linemen — z-La'Roi Glover, Dallas; z-Kris Jenkins, Carolina; x-Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay; y-Corey Simon, Philadelphia.
• Outside Linebackers — z-LaVar Arrington, Washington; zx-Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay; Julian Peterson, San Francisco; yz-Dexter Coakley, Dallas.
• Inside Linebackers — z-Brian Urlacher, Chicago; Keith Brooking, Atlanta.
• Cornerbacks — z-Champ Bailey, Washington; z-Dre' Bly, Detroit; Troy Vincent, Philadelphia.
• Strong Safety — z-Corey Chavous, Minnesota.
• Free Safety — z-Roy Williams, Dallas; Aeneas Williams, St. Louis.

Specialists

• Punter — z-Todd Sauerbrun, Carolina.
• Placekicker — z-Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis.
• Kick Return Specialist — z-Jerry Azumah, Chicago.
• Special Teamer — z-Alex Bannister, Seattle.