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Elway sees credibility growth for AFL
Colorado Crush co-owner John Elway probably started looking toward the future much sooner than he would have liked on Sunday, having watched his defending Arena Football League champions lose 63-46 in an American Conference playoff semifinal game at Pepsi Center.
"The league really has improved over the past four years," Elway said before kickoff. "The league has been around for 20 years, but having NBC as a partner has given us exposure. When (the Crush) came into the league, three out of 10 people knew the AFL. Now, eight to nine out of 10 people at least know what it is. So, we can take the next step. Ownership groups are getting stronger, with people like (Mike) Ditka with Chicago and Deion (Sanders) down in Austin getting involved.
"People are getting involved and bringing the league credibility, the quality of football player we're getting is improving all the time . . . we're not by any means close to where we need to be, but we're taking baby steps and getting better and better all the time."
The AFL currently has 18 teams. Elway said an eventual expansion to as many as 32 teams is forseeable. He didn't rule out placing an Arena team in Canada.
"I think everything is a possibility of where we could go," Elway said. "But it's important for us to continue to get the quality ownership groups we’re getting now."
NOTEWORTHY
Quote, unquote: "At age 36, 'The Glove' is more like a mitten."-- Former NBA player Marques Johnson, on Miami Heat guard Gary Payton.
Chicago Rush player Brian Sump probably made some sportscasters' highlight reel on Sunday when he flipped over the wall attempting a catch during the AFL's American Conference playoff game against the Colorado Crush at Pepsi Center. Sump is a former Thomas Jefferson High and Colorado School of Mines athlete.
American Idol singer Ace Young was lowered from the Pepsi Center ceiling for his halftime concert on Sunday. Asked if it was his idea, Young told me, "They asked me if I was afraid of heights. I said, 'Not today.'
Now that he has hit career home run No. 715 to surpass Babe Ruth for second on baseball's all-time list, I'm wondering if San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds is going to take time to update the journal on his Web site. His "latest" entry is dated Apr. 28 -- after he hit his first homer of the 2006 season (and career No. 709) at Coors Field.
Former Broncos running back John Avery is competing against suspended Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams for playing time on the Toronto Argonauts. Williams isn't the only Heisman Trophy winner on the Argonauts roster. Former University of Nebraska athlete Eric Crouch signed with the team in February to play quarterback. Also vying for a roster spot with Toronto is 36-year-old former Broncos linebacker Lee Woodall.
Got your number -- 22. That's the number of home runs for Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton in 573 at-bats over his past 162 games played.