WASHINGTON (AP)—Nolan Harrison was hired by the NFL Players Association on Monday as senior director of former player services. Harrison played 10 seasons in the NFL and was the player representative for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1998-2000. He also served on the NFLPA’s executive committee from 2000-02.

NOLAN HARRISON

“The lessons in leadership that I learned serving in those positions really served as a springboard for me in my professional career in the financial services industry after I left the game of football,” Harrison said. “The confidence those guys showed me really inspired me, but also served to ignite my passion to continue to serve and protect my brothers in any way possible.”

The mergers of the original ABA and NBA and the AFL and NFL combined four professional organizations into the two of the most powerful sports entities in the world according to many historians. They are also two perfect examples of “free market” capitalism at work.

One of the principal legal architects of the ABA-NBA merger was Richard P. Tinkham. Tinkham was co-founder of the American Basketball Association along with Joe Newman. A 1957 law school grad, Tinkham co-founded the original ABA and the Indiana Pacers franchise in 1967, and served for two years as president of the ABA board of trustees. In 1972-75, he was instrumental in the creation of Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)—Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor can’t wait for the preseason to start next month.

The junior from Jeanette, Pa., pronounced himself 100 percent healthy after surgery in February to repair some damage in his left knee.

COMING UP ROSES—Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor runs a play against Oregon during the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Jan 1.

by John Kekis

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP)—Andre Dawson left a lasting impression on the ballfield with his true grit and sense of integrity. His eloquent speech upon entering the pantheon of baseball’s greatest stars likely won’t soon be forgotten, either.

At his induction July 25 into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Dawson charmed the audience with a series of jokes, praised the game that gave him a chance in life, chastised those who tarnished its image, and lamented that many loved ones were not present to share his joy.

‘HAWK’ ENSHRINED—Andre Dawson delivers his Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech during a ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y., July 25.

“Thank you for welcoming this rookie to your team” said Dawson, who played for a decade in Montreal before signing with the Chicago Cubs in 1987 as a free agent. “It’s an honor beyond words. I didn’t play this game with this goal in mind, but I’m living proof that if you love this game, the game will love you back. I am proof that any young person who can hear my voice right now can be standing here as I am.”