Dallas center has rare disorder, out indefinitely
Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick said Wednesday he has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder that causes weakness in various parts of the body, and the four-time Pro Bowler isn’t sure on a timetable for a return.
Frederick said he has received two treatments for Guillain-Barre Syndrome over the past 48 hours and that the treatments will continue for several days.
“I am very optimistic about my condition and the immediate future, as I have been told that the illness was detected at a fairly early stage,” Frederick said. “My doctors have told me that it is not possible to determine a timetable for a return to the field right now, but I am hopeful that I will be able to play as soon as possible.”
The 27-year-old Frederick has started all 83 games, including three playoff games, since the Cowboys drafted him late in the first round in 2013.
According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke , Guillain-Barre causes the body to attack a network of nerves around the brain and spinal cord. Most people recover from even the most severe cases of the auto-immune disease, but some will continue to have some degree of weakness, according to the institute.
COLTS ANNOUNCER RETIRES AFTER UTTERING SLUR >> An off-the-air racial slur prompted the immediate retirement of longtime Indianapolis Colts radio voice Bob Lamey last weekend, team officials and Lamey’s attorney confirmed
Wednesday.
Local attorney James Voyles issued a statement acknowledging the 80-year-old Lamey used “inappropriate” language during a conversation with a friend at a local radio station and apologized immediately.
A report on a local television’s station website, WTHR.com, claimed an employee at Emmis Communications heard the comment and reported it to the radio station’s human resources department, which then contacted the Colts. RECEIVERS CAN’T CATCH ON WITH PATRIOTS >> The New England Patriots released veteran wide receiver
Kenny Britt.
Despite losing Danny Amendola in free agency and knowing Julian Edelman will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season, the Patriots let go of the 29-year-old Britt, who was with his fourth team.
New England also had released Jordan Matthews and Malcolm Mitchell from its receiving corps. FORMER CAROLINA DE CHARLES JOHNSON RETIRING >> Former Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson has announced he’s retiring from the NFL.
Johnson played in more games (143) than any Carolina defensive
lineman. He spent all 11 seasons with the Panthers, recording 67 sacks, 20 forced fumbles and 12 multi-sack games before being released by the team in February. DALTON RETURNING FAVOR TO BILLS FANS >> Whenever Andy Dalton is spotted by a Bills fan, he’ll hear another “thank you” for helping Buffalo break its long streak of playoff futility.
This weekend, Dalton and his foundation are saying “thank you” in return.
Dalton, his wife Jordan and their foundation will donate to the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo while the Bengals are in town to play a preseason game Sunday.
Dalton became one of the most popular sports figures in Buffalo on New Year’s Eve when his 49yard TD pass to Tyler Boyd with 49 seconds left sent the Bengals to a 31-27 win in Baltimore. The fourthdown pass eliminated the Ravens and gave the Bills their first playoff appearance since 1999.
Buffalo’s playoff drought was the longest in the NFL and the longest among the four major professional sports in North America. Immediately, Dalton began getting donations to his foundation from fans in Buffalo. He’s been thanked in person countless times by Bills fans over the months.
“I’ve heard I should run for mayor,” Dalton said . “I’ve heard I’ll never have to pay for anything in Buffalo. So we’ll see.” AROUND THE LEAGUE >> A day after he returned to work from a five-week suspension, Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim apologized to the organization, the team’s fans and “most of all” his family for the DUI arrest that forced his absence . ... The NFL Competition Committee has recommended not making any changes to the helmet rule approved by owners in the offseason, which means instant replay use for officials will not be instituted for such calls . ... The next time Saquon Barkley carries the ball in a game for the New York Giants may very well be the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The No. 2 overall pick in the draft returned to practice for the first time since straining his left hamstring more than a week ago.