Gridiron champions to explain game

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 36

Gridiron champions to explain game

American football is a complicated game for New Zealanders reared in the traditions of rugby union, but three gridiron champions will attempt to explain the intricacies of the code at Burnside Park on Saturday. The three top dogs from the National Football League will pass on skills to members of the public, sign autographs, and then participate in a game of tough gridiron on the park's football field, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The American trio is Brian Sipe, a record-holding quar-ter-back with the Cleveland Browns, "Gentle” Ben Davidson, a renowned tackle with the Oakland Raiders, and Dexter Bussey, one of the Detroit Lions’ best running

backs. All refinements of the game's techniques will be covered, for Sipe’s forte is passing, Bussey excels in running with the ball, and Davidson is the champion defender. The demonstration game will be strictly for fun, and will be a very watered down version of the real thing. No tackling will be allowed, so that people of all sizes can participate. Davidson, a big man of 2.03 m in height and 125 kg, had a distinguished career in pro. football over 14 years, appearing for the New York Giants, the Green Bay Packers, and the Washington Redskins before settling down with Oakland. He is also a well-known

figure of the screen, having appeared in character roles in four movies, including “M.A.5.H.," television specials and commercials. He and his wife, Kathy, have three daughters, all champion A.A.U. swimmers. Gridiron achievements for the other two players are intriguing. Sipe holds all passing records for the Cleveland Browns, and Bussey boasts the second biggest “rushing” total (5105 yd in total territorial gains) for the Detroit Lions. The players and their wives will enjoy the Canterbury scenery and visit Americans assigned to the U.S. Antarctic programme in the course of their Christchurch sojourn.