Ron Heller

Miami tackle Ron Heller underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees, which means ailing quarterback Dan Marino must rely on rookie Billy Milner for protection Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Milner, the Dolphins' first-round draft choice last April, will make his first NFL start in place of Heller. Marino returns after sitting out the last two games because of hip and knee injuries. It's uncertain how long Heller, who had loose cartilage removed, will be out, Coach Don Shula said.

The Minnesota Vikings and former Viking player Al (Bubba) Baker were sued Friday by Philadelphia Eagle offensive tackle Ron Heller over an eye injury Heller suffered during a game in 1988. Harry Sieben Jr., a Minneapolis attorney who filed the suit in Hennepin County District Court, said the case involves "gross negligence, aggravated conduct and reckless disregard of the rights of another person." Sieben alleged the Vikings were negligent in supervising and training Baker.

The Minnesota Vikings and former Viking player Al (Bubba) Baker were sued Friday by Philadelphia Eagle offensive tackle Ron Heller over an eye injury Heller suffered during a game in 1988. Harry Sieben Jr., a Minneapolis attorney who filed the suit in Hennepin County District Court, said the case involves "gross negligence, aggravated conduct and reckless disregard of the rights of another person." Sieben alleged the Vikings were negligent in supervising and training Baker.

Miami tackle Ron Heller underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees, which means ailing quarterback Dan Marino must rely on rookie Billy Milner for protection Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Milner, the Dolphins' first-round draft choice last April, will make his first NFL start in place of Heller. Marino returns after sitting out the last two games because of hip and knee injuries. It's uncertain how long Heller, who had loose cartilage removed, will be out, Coach Don Shula said.

The Miami Dolphins signed free-agent tackle Ron Heller of the Philadelphia Eagles to a three-year contract reportedly worth about $950,000 per year.

Just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, gym teacher Ronald Heller was called to his principal's office. He was shown written statements from several sixth-grade students saying they'd seen him in the girls' locker room, hugging one girl in her bra and panties, slapping another on her behind and calling yet another "hot sexy mama." The wind went out of him. "I did not do this," Heller, 54, said. "This is a lie." He looked at the names--six girls and a boy. Only two were in his class.

Quarterback Joe Montana and 11 other San Francisco 49ers defied striking teammates and returned to their team's training camp today. The defections from the striking 49ers began with the return of veteran tight end Russ Francis late Tuesday.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Al Baker said he will appeal a $10,000 fine by the National Football League for a late hit on Chicago quarterback Mike Tomczak in the last game of the regular season. Baker said Monday that he's asked for a hearing before NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. "I'm really shocked and I'm pretty disappointed in the way it was handled because it wasn't intentional," said Baker, who has lost $30,000 in fines and salary this season.

Place kicker Paul McFadden, a barefooted soccer-style veteran who has played for Philadelphia and the New York Giants, has been signed by the Atlanta Falcons. McFadden, safety Norman Floyd and tight end Brad Beckman signed contracts with Atlanta on Monday, the NFL team announced today. Tight end Ron Heller also reached agreement with the Falcons and is expected to sign a contract later in the week. All four players were unprotected free agents.