| OCR Text |
Show - r irr sr 4C -- i The Salt Lake Tribune fr,r' v"5 yir" Friday, January ' " r'r'Y V' 18, 1983 - O i w 'Vvrr rV r""V ''v r V" V Benirschke Back After . Near-Fat- "v y V t' 'yr r if r , Illness al Whats Important? Rolf Knows Now By ifesa- - Patti Auer Tribune Staff Writer Rolf Benirschke has climbed the ladder of success in professional football. But at one time during his career he weighed only 123 pounds. He had neared the chasm of death and had returned. Now he stood on the football field and heard the applause of the crowd. He was back in a San Diego Charger uniform after fighting off illietis and colitis. He talks about his near-fatsurgery dispassionately as he pursues some of his many charities, such as the Special Olympics. He participated in the Steve Garvey Celebrity Tennis tc Ski Classic in Park City January Funds from the classic will benefit the 1985 International Winter Special Olympic Games. al v 12-1- 3. Benirschke is also associated widi for the San Diego Zoo and is the National Sports Council for the National Foundation for Illeitis and Colitis, a disease that not only almost ended his footbail career but also threatened fund-raise- his life. Tribune Staff Photo by Crolg Hameil BYU freshman Steven Jones placed 10th in Ute NCAA slalom last week at Solitude. He leads Cougars in NCSA test today. In 1978, he established the Kirks for Critters, a fund to help the San Diego Zoo work for the preservation of endangered species. Benirschke donated $50 for every field goal he made. Along with zoo efforts, more than $50,000 has been raised each year. One of the things I have found as an athlete is that when you put pro next to your name people listen to you. Football is a popular sport and is given lots of media attention. I wanted to that attention as an athlete to things that are important to me, explained the kicker. ct Tough BYU Skiers At Colorado Meet By Craig Hansell Park, into the need to help endangered species. Benirschke is a popular figure in the San Diego community. The Charger organization describes him as everybodys boy and every mothers surrogate son. He believes in using his popularity to help others. An attorney, Lee Steinberg, made me aware of the unique opportunity I have as a professional athlete. He was concerned about returning something to the community, said Benirschke. "He helped me understand the power we have to affect others lives positively. The Charger kicker has come a long way, battling a illness to becoming NFL Man of the Year in 1983, an award presented to He footballs top citzen-athletwas also one of five finalists for the honor in 1984. the why me'? The disease is poorly understood and I didnt know much about it. It was so frustrating because at my career was just starting. Right tl beginning everything was taken away. of San During the illness the city inforDiego rallied around him. An mal call went out for blood and thousands of donors responded. reBy October of that year, he was leased from the hospital, although he was still weak and underweight. He made his first public appearance at the Charger-Pittaburg- h mented. "When we went to the midd, of the field for the coin toss the crow football a game, where the crowd gave him warm reception. The team and fans support is something he will never forget. "The most meaningful time was when I went to watch the Pittsburgh hongame and the team made me an com Benirschke orary captain, e. In 1979, Benirschke was struck with illeitis and colitis. Doctors at first believed he had crone disease but the exact nature of the illness was not diagnosed until 1982. On September 29, 1979 he was placed on the injured reserve list and it looked as if he would never play professional ball again. He almost died due to complications surrounding surgical procee-dureHis weight dropped from 174 to s. gave me a warm welcome It wa real heartwarming. Through determined rehabili tion, Benirschke returned to the lfo, up of the Chargers in 1980. He a honored for his courage by the NF Players Association as Hero of th Year." My work in some charities cam as a result of my illness. The d was one that many hadnt hear about. I became a symbol for peopl with the illness, said Benirschke Anyone who has the disease, o knows someone with it can write m at the Chargers' office. I dont know where Ill end up a ter football. One thing about playin professionally is that you never kno when its going to end, said Ben irschke Q mm Lubrication Change Oil 5 Qts. cfl 15-4- 0 Cars & Lt. Trucks, Gas Engines Change Oil Filter Check all Fluid Levels and Fill as Needed Only 123 pounds. When I became ill I was just concerned about living, football was not even in the picture, Benirschke related. I was convinced I was not going to play again. You go through all ,.wn-llqwftan- i SALE PRICES EFFECTIVE THROUGH JANUARY 20, 1985 60 MONTH MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY WITH EXCHANGE REMANUFACTURED IMPORT AND DOMESTIC CLUTCH DISCS Colo. Locally, the Wasatch Citizens Series continues Saturday with the Mayors Cup cross country track race starting at 10 a.m. on the Mountain Dell Golf Course. Sunday the Wasatch Telemark Series will stage a race at Park City. WINDSHIELD WASH Masters Skiir: Masters alpine ski racers will compete in a giant slalom Saturday and Sunday at Premixed formula cleans windshields fast. Removes dirt, bugs, and road film with ease. gallon. Sundance. Freestyle Skiing: Salt Lakes Jan Bucher continues her quest for a seventh consecutive World Cup Freestyle Skiing Ballet title this weekend with a meet at Lake Placid, N.Y. I OIL FILTERS Meets or exceeds OEM standards. For most domestic and import cars and light trucks. LIMIT 6 CARB AND FUEL SYSTEM CLEANERS Browning Jet Spray, for carb and choke or Gumout liquid to help stop stalling, rough idling and Iwd starts. Leather-To- p Insulated Mens Pac 7450-13oz- ., Schauer FUEL SYSTEM DRYER 7524-8o- BATTERY CHARGERSTARTER Combination 10 Amp manual charger and 50 Amp engine starter 12 Volt. J412 Removes water from fuel system. Helps prevent freeze-u- p and stall-ou- t. 12 oz. z. YOUR CHOICE W II EACH VELOUR SEAT COVERS Husky and warm Point Barrow leather-to- p pac with hefty Lug sole and speed-lacinWaterproof rubber foot seals out moisture, removable thick Felt Liner for warmth. 4341 , most sizes 7 to 13 100 Polyster velour. Washable. Bench or buck at styles. Blue, brown, wine and grey g. Reg. 62.95 802040(5060 KRACO CAfl STEREO COMPLETE SOUND SYSTEM HEADLAMPS ED CUMMINGS High beam, low beam, or combination high and low beam. 4000.4001.5001,6014. Cisco Net ... be The cisco run will soon be on h this with hoop ready net with telescoping t. handle. Convenient to pack and store 18-in- wire-mes- NUMBER TV) joutn Star vni Lake itown i nJ mghttnd 82nd pnve in f st 75 7LrT37:nl7W) parts tition this weekend in the Peugeot Grand Prix New Hampshire Cup giant slalom pro ski race at Waterville, N.H. Hoffman, who opened the season with his first pro victory, is currently in fourth place in the season standings. Jarle Halsnes, last seasons top Peugeot tour money winner ($32,825), won last weekends Maine Pro Classic slalom at Sugarloaf. Jarle and his brother, Edvin Halsnes, are currently tied with fellow Norwegian Reidar Wahl for the tcur lead with 75 points. Cross Country: University of Utah assistant coach Bernt Lund and defending NCAA champion John Alberg will compete in the opener of the Great American Ski Chase Series this weekend at Winter Tribune Sports Writer BYUs Ford Stevenson has taken his tough Cougar skiers to Silver Creek, Colo., Friday and Saturday for a National Collegiate Ski Association meet hosted by Denver University. BYUs Heide Hoffman, the NCSA three-tim- e All America and sister of pro skier Scott, won last weekends Lake Eldora, Colo., NCSA slalom and giant slalom to pace the Lady Cougars to first place in the meet. She won the slalom by an impressive three second margin. Freshman Darlene Muirhead, from Frisco, Colo., placed third in both events to cement BYUs victory. With Stevensons three best men competing in last weekends University of Utah NCAA Invitational (Steven Jones, Bill Schenker, Tim Murray), the Cougars still managed to place second behind Colorado College in the mens competition at Lake Eldora. I felt really good about it, Stevenson said. Cougar skiers competing at Silver Creek this weekend include: Jones, Schenker, Murray, Scott Beck, Todd Thompson and Mark Wheadon along with Hoffman, Muirhead, Jo Nyman, Suzette Summers, Leslie Allen and Susan Sawyer. Pro Skiing: Utahns Steve Bounous and Scott Hoffman will be attempting to derail their Norwegian compe I like animals and thought I could do some good work as a football player so 1 established 'Kicks for Critters. It was fun and we raised over $800,000. It helped in the fact that people in San Diego are more tuned i IN SPORTS'" 2rdrXlVn eWvo inoooen JU7 109Q Uvton mmkmjB 1790utn Surte gvem 225 (500 PytCtfV tmort cant V! ac EACH Electronic tune AMFM stereo cassette and 5" slimline speakers. Includes wiring and installation hardware. ETR10 9097 ! |
