Trev calls it quits <!--------------------- HEADLINE ABOVE HERE ---------------------><! ------------------BYLINE starts HERE ------------------>
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<! --------- LINE TWO ------------->By The Associated Press <! ---- use ONLY line two if byline is single line ---->
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[size=-1]<! -----------PUT in DATE----------->Posted July 23, 1997 <! -----------DATE ABOVE----------->[/size]
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<!---- SUBJECT NAME GOES BELOW---->Trev Alberts <!---- SUBJECT NAME GOES ABOVE---->
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><! ----------------RIGHT MUGSHOT ENDS ------------------>ANDERSON, Ind. -- Linebacker Trev Alberts has closed the book on his injury-plagued career by retiring after three seasons in which he saw more therapy than opposing running backs for the Indianapolis Colts.
Alberts' stats tell the tale of why he retired Tuesday -- seven starts, 29 games played and 20 missed with only 103 tackles since signing a six-year contract valued at $8.15 million in 1994.
''I could see this day coming,'' Alberts said. ''Three years ago when I entered the NFL, I was so excited about my career. I thought I could do some great things. My body just fell apart.''
Alberts racked up almost as many injuries as starts the last three seasons. He has had a dislocated right elbow, a concussion, a partially dislocated left shoulder and a hamstring injury. He was supposed to be operated on Monday for his latest injury, a shoulder problem, but he never showed up for the reconstructive surgery, ending a training camp soap opera.
''It was something that was hanging out there that needed to be closed, and now it is,'' Colts vice president of football operations Bill Tobin said of the retirement.
''He is going to get on with his life, and we are going to get on with our football team. Unless he decides to come out of retirement in years to come, he is probably history in the National Football League.''
Added coach Lindy Infante: ''I'm glad we can put this thing to rest and finally go on with the rest of our lives -- both he and us.''
Alberts complained of pain in the shoulder earlier this month while participating in the team's early training camp for rookies, free agents and veterans who were injured at the end of last season.
The team said Alberts had been evaluated by Dr. Gary Misamore of Indianapolis, who determined Monday's scheduled surgery was necessary and that the problem dated back to previous surgery. Alberts first dislocated his right shoulder when he played college football at Nebraska.
Alberts was told to report to the Anderson University training camp with other veterans last Thursday but he never appeared.
He has had a series of injuries since winning the Dick Butkus award as the nation's best linebacker in 1994 and pondered retirement before training camp began. But he and the Colts failed to reach an agreement over the team's bid to recoup a portion of his $3.275 million signing bonus.
His retirement means the Colts will have another $875,000 to work with under the salary cap this season.
''Trev gave his all when he came out on the field, so you have to feel bad for him because he really loved football,'' defensive lineman Bernard Whittington said. ''It's just unfortunate his injuries were pretty bad, and it had to come down to this.''
Cry me a river...how you like this trev, you little punk espn sissy!<! ------------------- COPY ends HERE -------------------><! ------------------- COPY ends HERE ------------------->
At this point it has become reflex!!
