The Michigan Daily--Wednesday, July 14, 1982--Page 11 Rogers admits he used cocaine NEW ORLEANS (AP)- George Rogers of the New Orleans Saints ad- mitted yesterday that he used cocaine last season-when he was named Rookie of the Year and led the National Football League in rushing-but promised "it will never happen again." Rogers, who set a rookie record with 1,674 yards for the Saints last season,. said he underwent testing and treat- ment for drug abuse last week at a Florida clinic. "I AM SORRY for what I did," the 1981 Heisman Trophy winner from South Carolina said at a press con- ference. "I made a mistake, and I have to live up to that. I made a mistake and it will never happen again." Rogers, his attorney Ed Holler and Saints Coach Bum Phillips would not answer any questions regarding the drug scandal surrounding the team and the NFL. U.S. District Judge Veronica Wicker NFL running back says it won't happen again has issued a gag order in the drug case involving former Saints running back Mike Strachan, who is scheduled for trial Aug. 30 on charges of distributing cocaine. A number of Saints players allegedly were among his customers, including Rogers. ROGERS' FIRST link with the scan- dal came last month in published repor- ts quoting unidentified sources as saying he told a federal grand jury he spent $10,000 on cocaine last season. Holler described Rogers' use of the drug as "a brief recreational use of cocaine." Reading from a prepared statement, Holler said Rogers spent July 7 through July 9 at the Palm Beach Insititue. He said Rogers underwent psychological and physical testing, including drug screening and laboratory tests. "GEORGE Rogers was found to be healthy emotionally and medically and shown to have no signs of dependence on cocaine or any other habit-forming drug," Holler said. "It was determined that George had a brief recreational use of cocaine, and that there is no evidence of any use of cocaine or habit-forming drugs since January of 1982." Phillips said this was probably the most important press conference he had ever attended. "I'VE BEEN to a whole lot of press conferences in my years in sports- OWNERS MAKE NEW OFFER: Football talks resume NEW YORK (AP)- National Foot- ball League owners, resuming contract talks with the players, offered yester- day to increase minimum salaries as, much as 56 percent and to reduce com- pensation that the union says has blocked free agency. The owners' pay proposal, $50,000 for a fifth-year player, is still far less than the $140,000 the players want. Players now earn at least $32,000 after four years. THE OWNERS' proposals, the first solid offer presented during six months of negotiations, also includes increased post-season pay, insurance coverage and injury protection benefits. Only two days are left before the current collec- tive bargaining agreement expires. "We gave it to them, and now we'll see what they say," said Jack Donlan, executive director of the NFL Management Council, which formally submitted the proposals. High scoring battles. highlight hoop league By RON POLLACK evening, Central Cafe trounced Basketball fans tired of the low Moe's Sport Shop/Whiffle Tree, 95- scoring defensive struggles typical 82. Central Cafe never trailed in of Big Ten play got quite a treat the game. last night at the Sandy Sanders Johnny Johnson scored eight of Summer Basketball League held at the victors first 14 points. Central Pioneer High School. The three Cafe took a quick 21-10 lead and led winning teams scored 104, 95, and by double figures almost the entire 100 points.first half which ended 55-40. In the first game of the night JOHNSON LED the way for Cen- Stein and Goetz/Wilkinson tral Cafe with 27 points while Mark Luggage defeated the Washtenaw Bostic added 23 . County Police Athletic League In the final game of the aght (PAL), 104-97. PAL jumped out to Penthouse Hair Design beat a quick 23-10 lead with Mike Brewer's Gulf (a team made up of McGee scoring eight of those poin- Michigan recruits and Eric Tur- ner),100-96. Earl inthesecod hlfPAL THE FIRST half was closely Early n eight point lead. But for contested with the biggest lead built an eih spon lead. euthr coming when Penthouse Hair most of the second half neither Design went up 36-27. team could build a lead larger than With 2:25 left in the first half, five points. Roy Tarpley scored for Brewer's With three minutes to go inthe Gulf to tie the game at 46. game, Stein and Goetz/Wilkinson The two teams traded buckets Luggage's Leslie Rockymore the rest of the half and Penthouse scored a bucket to put his team up Hair Design took a 56-53 halftime for good at 94-93. lead on a Terry Duerod basket. JAMES AND McGEE shared Down 82-70, Brewer's Gulf came scoring honors with 26 each. Gar- hack and tied the game at 84 ner and Rockymore scored 23 and behind fourtpoints by both Turner 22 points apiece in victory while and Tarpley. Eric Santifer (Syracuse) netted 20 Penthouse Ha. Design then in a losing effort.- went up 88-86 and never In the second contest of the relinquished the lead. The players union asked for time to consider the proposals during the first of a planned three days of negotiations. UNDER THE proposals, minimum pay for rookies would jump from $22,000 to $30,000. The players union has sought a minimum of $75,000 for first- year players. The proposal also reduces the amount of compensation a team would have to give for signing a free agent. A new club signing a free agent for $80,000 would give up a third-round draft choice to the club losing the player, rather than a first-round pick in the 'current system. The first-round draft choice level under the proposal begins at $110,000. Playoff pay for each post-season game would also increase. Players would receive $30,000 for winning the Super Bowl game-rather than the current $18,000-for a total of $56,000 in postseason money, rather than $35,000. THE PLAYERS claim the current compensation levels are so high that they restrict free agency. The owners' proposal does not ad- dress the issue of players receiving 55 percent of the gross income. The players have sought a pay scale based on dividing 55 percent of all ticket sales, television revenue and other income. The current five-year contract bet- ween the players and owners, which was worked out during three years of negotiations, expires tomorrow. Neither side expects a settlement by then, nor is either side particularly concerned. TRAINING camps will be opening during the final two weeks of July, and players have promised not to stage a boycott. Owners have promised not to lock players out of camps. "It would be a miracle to settle things before Thursday," said Ed Garvey, president of the players' union. "The expiration date Thursday has brought the realization that we have to negotiate." Both sides acknowledged that a con- tractmay not be worked out until the final/weeks before the regular season opens on Sept. 12. some bad, some good," he said. "I've never been to one as important as I think this one is. "I think it's important for this foot- ball team, this town, the NFL. But it's more important for a bunch of in- dividuals who have made a' mistake- but not a mistake that can't be rec- tified." Phillips said he can forgive Rogers for his mistake, and intends to treat Rogers as if he were one of his children. "I'VE RAISED six of my own and 3,300 of other people's," Phillips said. "I'm treating him like one of my own. "I'm certainly not a believer in drugs, but I am a believer in people," Phillips said. "I am convinced in my mind ... that it is over and done with." He said he hoped Rogers would not renege on his promise to stay clear of cocaine. "If it happens once, shame on you. If it happens twice, shame on me," Phillips said. Rent a Car from Econo-Car We rent to 19 Y.OLD STUDENT! Choose from small economical cars to vans. Special WEEKEND rates Pick up services upon request We accept cashdeposits OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 438 W. Huron 761-8845 ANN ARBOR