Chris Vernon leaves ESPN 92.9 FM
Sports talk radio show host has left WMFS-FM 92.9 following a breakdown in contract negotiations, Entercom vice president and general manager
said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “We had hoped that Chris Vernon would stay with 92.9 ESPN,” Barron said in the statement. “We made a number of offers for multiyear contracts, but he did not accept them and broke off negotiations. Chris is very talented and we wish him the very best.”
Vernon went off the air last week after the expiration of his contract. He hosted the midday show on the area’s ESPN radio affiliate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vernon did not comment when reached by The Commercial Appeal on Tuesday and later posted remarks on Twitter. He wrote that his contract expired Aug. 31 and he was approached about a new deal the previous day. He was then given a 2 p.m. deadline on Sept. 2 to accept or decline the station’s final offer, he wrote.
He was removed from 92.9 FM’s online program schedule that morning, as well as the station’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.
“I (had) to decide to take a deal I don’t want or not work there within 48 (hours). I don’t believe that is the way you treat people,” Vernon wrote in one post.
“I had full confidence that my listeners and sponsors will ride with me like they always have,” he later added. “Thank you. We will go where we are appreciated.”
Longtime local radio host filled Vernon’s time slot last week, and former Fox 13 broadcaster
hosted a show during that time Tuesday. It is unclear who will take over the station’s midday show.
Vernon has not commented about his plans. He joined 92.9 FM in 2012 after hosting an afternoon show on KQPN-AM 730 and has been on the local airwaves for more than a decade.
DeAngelo Williams is the oldest running back in the NFL, and Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Cam Heyward made sure everyone knew it during training camp. The defensive end encouraged the fans at Saint Vincent College to serenade Williams with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” every day, even though his real birthday is April 25.
Former Memphis Tiger Williams is 33 and a month older than Frank Gore of the Colts. (John Kuhn of the Saints is older, but he plays fullback).
Mention his age to Williams and he’ll gladly make the next few minutes as uncomfortable as possible. Running back Le’Veon Bell knows that chip on Williams’ shoulder well. His locker is nearby and he hears the lectures Williams gives reporters on a regular basis.
“He should have a chip on his shoulder,” Bell said. “I’ll be blessed if I make it to that age and still play at the level he is.”
In an era when most running backs are past their prime by the time their rookie contract expires, Williams has defied the odds. In his first season with the Steelers, after spending the first nine years of his career with the Carolina Panthers, he had one of the best seasons in the past quarter-century for a running back 32 or older.
During a season in which Bell missed 10 games because of suspensions and injuries, Williams rushed for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns. Only four running backs 32 or older rushed for more yards in a season in the past 25 years.
Since 1990, according to research done by sportingcharts.com, Ricky Williams had the best season for a running back 32 or older when he rushed for 1,121 yards in 2009. Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith rushed for 1,021 when he was 32 in 2001. He also rushed for 975 yards and 937 yards at 33 and 34. The only others to rush for more yards than DeAngelo Williams when they were 32 were Mike Anderson (1,014 in 2005) and former Steeler and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis (941 in 2004).
With the 2016 season one week away, Williams is stepping back into the spotlight. He’ll be the starting running back for the first three weeks while Bell serves his three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
“Last year he showed the whole world he hasn’t lost a step,” offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert said. “He’ll hold it down for the three games just like he did last year. He stepped up big for us. We’ll be counting on him, and I know he won’t let us down.”
DeveloPments
The New Orleans Saints have changed kickers, cutting veteran Kai Forbath and signing Wil Lutz, a rookie who spent the preseason with Baltimore. Lutz was a four-year kicker at Georgia State, where he also handled punts his senior season and was nominated for the Ray Guy Award . ... The Chicago Bears signed kicker Connor Barth to replace Robbie Gould, who was released Sunday . ... A prosecutor says charges won’t be filed against Dallas Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott following domestic violence allegations made by a 20-year-old woman. The office of Columbus City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer cites conflicting and inconsistent information in evidence supporting the filing of criminal charges . ... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free agent receiver Cecil Shorts III and waived receiver Evan Spencer. Shorts spent the first four years of his career with the Jaguars before signing with the Houston Texans last season.