Former Super Bowl MVP Rypien opens up about suicide attempt
SPOKANE, WASH. » Former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien said he has attempted suicide, hired prostitutes and suffers from persistent depression. Now, he’s wondering if he sustained brain injuries from football.
The 55-year-old former quarterback is worried about his future even as he revealed some lurid elements of his past.
“There were behaviors that were just bizarre,” Rypien said in an article published in The Spokesman-Review newspaper and also broadcast on KHQ-TV of Spokane.
His wife, Danielle, said she has also worried about Rypien’s future. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, he’s going to end up in a home,”’ Danielle said. “I didn’t want him running around the street with a shopping cart.”
Rypien was a record-breaking high school quarterback in Spokane and then a star at nearby Washington State. He was drafted by the Redskins in 1986 and played until 2002.
Since then, he appeared outwardly to live a comfortable life in Spokane. But he said that was not the case.
“My story is impactful because people see me in a different light. I want them to see me in an accurate light,” Rypien said. “I’ve been down the darkest path. I’ve made some horrible, horrible mistakes. But I’ve given myself a chance to progress forward.”
Rypien, who led the Redskins to victory in the 1992 Super Bowl over Buffalo and was picked as MVP, said he played organized football for 26 years and figures he suffered several concussions.
“People think you have to be knocked out to have a concussion,” Rypien said. “There are hundreds of times you shake it off and get back in there. It’s all about the cumulative hits. That’s what cause brain damage.”
Chargers sign ex-Eagle Watkins
COSTA MESA » Defensive back Jaylen Watkins has left the Super Bowl champion Eagles for a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers announced the deal Friday.
Watkins appeared in 36 games over four seasons for the Eagles, playing extensively on special teams. After making four starts in 2016, he played in 15 games and all three postseason games for the Eagles last season.
Browns sign Stanton
CLEVELAND » The Cleveland Browns continued their quarterback makeover, signing free agent Drew Stanton to a two-year contract.
The veteran is expected to back up Tyrod Taylor, recently acquired in a trade with Buffalo.
The 6-foot-3, 226-pounder has made 17 career starts while playing for Detroit, Indianapolis and Arizona. Stanton spent the past four seasons with the Cardinals.
Park, Lindberg lead at ANA
RANCHO MIRAGE » Pernilla Lindberg and Sung Hyun Park quietly broke away Friday at the ANA Inspiration. Park and Lindberg topped the leaderboard at a tournamentrecord 12-under 132, three strokes ahead of third-place Jessica Korda after two rounds in hot and calm conditions at Mission Hills.
Park shot an 8-under 64 for the best round of the week. The U.S. Women’s Open winner played a nine-hole stretch in 7 under. She holed out for eagle from 100 yards on the par-4 15th.
Hossler leads at Houston Open
HUMBLE, TEXAS » Beau Hossler was steady while better-known players faltered down the stretch at the Houston Open, leaving him with a one-shot lead heading into the weekend.
The 23-year-old Hossler shot a 4-under 68 for a two-day total of 11-under 133, good enough for the second 36-hole lead of his rookie season. He shared the lead with Dustin Johnson at the halfway mark at Pebble Beach before falling out of contention.
Isner beats del Potro
KEY BISCAYNE, FLA. » After John Isner clinched his berth in the Miami Open final, he came over the top one last time, throwing a celebratory punch at a speed to match his thunderous serve. The towering American moved one big step closer to the most prestigious title of his 14-year career by beating a weary Juan Martin del Potro 6-1, 7-6 (2) in Friday’s semifinals.
Dominating with his serve and aggressive baseline strokes, the 6-foot-10 Isner ended a 15-match winning streak for del Potro, who won Indian Wells two weeks ago by beating Roger Federer in the final.
IOC president meets North Korean leader Kim
PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA » International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang and said the North Korean leader is committed to having his country participate in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.