Brian Bosworth, the Seattle Seahawks' $11 million linebacker, has been cut in a move that probably ends a brief pro career riddled with injuries and unfulfilled promise.
Bosworth, a two-time All-America linebacker from Oklahoma, is not expected to get a chance with another NFL team. He signed a 10-year, $11 million contract after he was taken as Seattle's first selection in the June 1987 supplemental draft. But he has played in just 24 games over three seasons.Bosworth was released after failing his physical examination because of a right shoulder injury, the club said Tuesday. Team doctor Pierce Scranton examined Bosworth on Monday.
"Our doctors could not pass him and felt very positive that they could not pass him in the future," General Manager Tom Flores said.
"I don't think he ever had an impact on this team," Flores said. "I think he would have. But he really never had the opportunity to have the impact everyone felt he should."
"Brian Bosworth had tremendous potential as a professional football player coming out of college," Coach Chuck Knox said. "Unfortunately for him, injuries have prevented him from realizing his full capabilities. We wish him the best."
Bosworth has not talked to the media in Seattle since late in the 1988 season. He slipped in and out of town without any fanfare. He is making a movie in Mississippi, "The Brotherhood," in which he plays an undercover narcotics agent.
Bosworth's selection in the 1987 supplemental draft cost Seattle its first-round 1988 pick. At the time, the Seahawks thought he was well worth it. But injuries allowed him to play in only 24 of 44 NFL games.
He started all 12 games in the strike-shortened 1987 NFL season as a rookie. He was hampered by an injury to his left shoulder in 1988 and played in 10 of 16 games games. His left shoulder required arthroscopic surgery.
Last season, Bosworth played in Seattle's first two games before injuring his right shoulder. He never had surgery on the shoulder, which he damaged while tackling Phoenix fullback Ron Wolfley.
The highlight of Bosworth's brief pro career came in Seattle's 23-20 overtime loss in Houston on Jan. 3, 1988, in the AFC wild-card playoff game. Bosworth made 17 tackles.
Bosworth was examined last season by Dr. Frank Jobe, a Los Angeles surgeon.
Bosworth finished his career with with 175 tackles in 24 games. He also had four sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and blocked one kick.
Bosworth was sometimes unpopular with fans and teammates. In his controversial autobiography, "The Boz: Confessions Of A Modern Day Anti-Hero," he was critical of just about everybody.