Luis Sharpe

It was Dec. 11, 1983, and Luis Sharpe was in familiar territory doing a familiar thing under stimulation that was becoming familiar. He was in the Coliseum, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 34-24 victory over the Raiders on a field where he had played four football seasons with UCLA. He and a teammate snorted cocaine just before the game and again at halftime.

Handsome and articulate with a political science degree from UCLA, Luis Sharpe fully expected to become a successful sports broadcaster when his 13-year NFL career ended. Instead, addiction to drugs has sent the three-time Pro Bowl lineman into a dangerous downward spiral. Since last year, the former St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals player has been arrested five times for drug possession, assault and trespassing on the property of his estranged wife.

Handsome and articulate with a political science degree from UCLA, Luis Sharpe fully expected to become a successful sports broadcaster when his 13-year NFL career ended. Instead, addiction to drugs has sent the three-time Pro Bowl lineman into a dangerous downward spiral. Since last year, the former St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals player has been arrested five times for drug possession, assault and trespassing on the property of his estranged wife.

Former Arizona Cardinal lineman Luis Sharpe, sought under an arrest warrant after vanishing between drug treatment programs, was found shot in the neck on the street Tuesday night in Phoenix, police said. Sharpe, 36, initially fought with paramedics attempting to treat him before he was taken to a hospital, said Sgt. Mike Torres. "We don't know how serious his injuries are at this point," Torres said. "We also don't know whether he was under the influence of anything."

Former Arizona Cardinal lineman Luis Sharpe, sought under an arrest warrant after vanishing between drug treatment programs, was found shot in the neck on the street Tuesday night in Phoenix, police said. Sharpe, 36, initially fought with paramedics attempting to treat him before he was taken to a hospital, said Sgt. Mike Torres. "We don't know how serious his injuries are at this point," Torres said. "We also don't know whether he was under the influence of anything."

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mario Soto pleaded innocent to a charge of simple battery, only a few hours after he allegedly punched a waiter at an Atlanta discotheque. According to police reports, Soto punched John Sarbacker, a waiter at the Limelight, twice in the face after the two exchanged words. Soto had gone to the bar with teammates following his complete-game 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night. Soto was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday and ordered to report to Atlanta Municipal Court later Wednesday morning.

Robinson hasn't decided who will start at left tackle but said Gerald Perry, who didn't appear in four exhibition games because of a knee injury, and Robert Jenkins (formerly Robert Cox) would split time at the position. . . . Phoenix running back Johnny Johnson, a Pro Bowl selection last season, is listed as questionable because of a foot injury, but Cardinal Coach Joe Bugel said he would play. Starting offensive linemen Bill Lewis and Luis Sharpe are suffering from the flu but are probable.

Jonathan Ogden is one of the four finalists for this year's Lombardi Trophy, voted to college football's best lineman, but Coach Terry Donahue has even higher praise for his senior tackle. He says if he were putting together an all-star team based on his 20 years as UCLA's head coach, Ogden would be guaranteed a spot. "He'd make the first team," Donahue said. "He's as good as any player I've had. He should enjoy a fabulous pro career."

The NFL fined Miami Dolphin linebacker Bryan Cox $17,500 and Buffalo Bill fullback Carwell Gardner $15,000 Thursday over their fight in Sunday's game. Both players were fined $10,000 by director of football development Gene Washington for the fight. Cox received an additional $7,500 fine by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for spitting toward the Buffalo fans as he walked off the field.

It was Dec. 11, 1983, and Luis Sharpe was in familiar territory doing a familiar thing under stimulation that was becoming familiar. He was in the Coliseum, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 34-24 victory over the Raiders on a field where he had played four football seasons with UCLA. He and a teammate snorted cocaine just before the game and again at halftime.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mario Soto pleaded innocent to a charge of simple battery, only a few hours after he allegedly punched a waiter at an Atlanta discotheque. According to police reports, Soto punched John Sarbacker, a waiter at the Limelight, twice in the face after the two exchanged words. Soto had gone to the bar with teammates following his complete-game 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night. Soto was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday and ordered to report to Atlanta Municipal Court later Wednesday morning.

New York Giants Coach Bill Parcells says it was a week of worry for him, but he wound up with two victories he wanted. Jeff Hostetler, replacing the injured Phil Simms, passed for 177 yards in his second NFL start and also scored his first two touchdowns of his six-year pro career as the Giants beat the Phoenix Cardinals, 20-13, Sunday. Simms sprained his left ankle early in last Monday night's win over Minnesota and Parcells feared a loss to the Cardinals.

Michael Chang hurt Thomas Muster's bid for the No. 1 ranking Tuesday with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory in opening-round play at the ATP Championships at Frankfurt, Germany. The third-ranked Muster has 12 tour titles this year and is bidding to replace Pete Sampras as the top-ranked player. Sampras opened defense of his title with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Yevgeny Kafelnikov.