Baltimore Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware moves around a blocker during action against the Housten Oilers in Baltimore, Dec. 14, 1997. Boulware was named the Associated Press NFL defensive rookie of the year.JOHN GILLIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Web posted December 24, 1997

From Wire Reports

Detroit Lions linebacker Reggie Brown suffered permanent damage to his spinal cord when he was hit in the head during Sunday's game against the New York Jets, Lions team physician David Collon said Tuesday. Brown can breathe on his own and has regained limited movement in all four extremities, but Collon said it is unknown whether he will walk again.

Brown, 23, remains in stable condition at Detroit Henry Ford Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., and is extremely weak. As he recovers from surgery to fuse his first and second cervical vertebrae, the next few days will be critical in determining whether he will regain the ability to walk. Collon said Monday's operation -- which was intended to provide stability to the neck and to prevent additional trauma to the spinal cord -- ``went well'' but that Brown will not be able to move his head normally for the rest of his life. He will wear a halo apparatus to support his head and neck for at least three months.

Though Brown is expected to enter a care facility in two weeks to begin rehabilitation, his longterm prognosis may not be known for a year. He is receiving medication to reduce swelling in his spinal cavity, and he is being monitored for blood clots and infection.

``He seems very tired; he's been through quite a bit,'' Russ Nockels, one of the neurosurgeons who operated on Brown, said during a news conference at the hospital. ``But he wants to work hard. Overall, he's really taking this quite well.''

Collon said Monday that Brown is ``starting from a very strong position. He's strong, he's young, and he's healthy.'' Though Brown's condition Tuesday was not as promising as hoped, Nockels said, ``The fact that he doesn't make great strides is not necessarily a bad thing, either.''

Lions coach Bobby Ross, executive vice president Chuck Schmidt and several players visited Brown Tuesday. Wide receiver Herman Moore, who toted a video camera Monday at the Silverdome, showed Brown a video of get-well messages from the team. Collon said Brown was ``in good spirits.''

BOULWARE BEST: Peter Boulware, who made the switch from defensive end to linebacker to become a pass-rushing star for the Baltimore Ravens, was selected NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by The Associated Press.

Boulware, the fourth pick in this year's draft, finished with 11.5 sacks, second in the AFC. He overcame his early struggles in pass coverage, so impressing a nationwide panel of 48 sports writers and broadcasters that he dominated the voting.

Chosen on 36 ballots, Boulware easily outdistanced Miami linebacker Derrick Rodgers and New Orleans safety Sammy Knight, both receiving three votes. Miami end Jason Taylor got two votes and Detroit cornerback Bryant Westbrook had one.

``It's a privilege to be picked,'' Boulware said. ``I am humbled by it, just because there are a lot of great players out there. For them to choose me out of all those guys, it's an honor. I'm thankful to everyone for picking me.''

The first member of the franchise to win the honor since linebacker Chip Banks in 1982 -- when the Ravens were the Cleveland Browns -- Boulware was an All-America end at Florida State. But the Ravens made it clear when they drafted him that Boulware would be converted to linebacker.

``The coaches were really patient. I messed up a lot, but they were always there to help me,'' he said. ``I learned something every game, and every game I got better. I felt every week I was a lot better than I was the week before.''

With second-year standout Ray Lewis and Jamie Sharper, another rookie, at linebacker, the Ravens should be set for years at the position.

``Peter took his game to another level once he really learned what was going on,'' Lewis said. ``Peter did a great job. He was really focused on what he was doing.''

But there is much improvement ahead, Boulware said.

``During the offseason, I've got to get a lot bigger and stronger. I want to come back in the best condition I can be in, and I want to watch some tapes and come back smarter, too.''

Boulware was the 15th linebacker to earn the honor, but the first since Mike Croel in 1991. He joined such illustrious linebackers as Jack Lambert, Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas who have won defensive rookie honors.

Last year's winner was end Simeon Rice of Arizona.