September 13, 1994|By Fred Mitchell, Tribune Staff Writer.
543
PHILADELPHIA — Former Bears wide receiver Wendell Davis, considering a lawsuit over his injury at Veterans Stadium last October, has hired the Philadelphia law firm of Raynes, McCarty, Binder, Ross & Mundy.
Davis tore both patella tendons during a non-contact play. Davis is an unrestricted free agent, but his NFL career is likely over.
Two weeks after Davis' injury, two Akron University players suffered season-ending leg injuries in a game at the Vet against Temple.
Akron coach Gerry Faust called the surface "the worst I've played on in 36 years I've coached. We had two injuries that the field caused. No one even touched them. I don't see how the Eagles can keep a team."
Michael DiBerardinis, Philadelphia's city recreation director, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he felt Davis' injury had not been caused by the artificial surface at the Vet. "That injury could have happened anywhere on the field," he said.
Nevertheless, Veterans Stadium officials have reduced the number and height of the seams in the turf, many of which were caused by the need to change the configurations from baseball to football.
"I think they certainly have made some improvements," Eagles coach Rich Kotite said. "Next year they may replace it. But they've made some improvements with the seams. It's very difficult when you have a stadium that houses a baseball team and a football team because you have the seams from the infield. They did some things and it certainly looks a lot better than it has been."
Didn't realize Gerry Faust got another job after the Notre Dame debacle