July 11, 1964 - The commissioners of the NFL and AFL disagreed today on which league owned the rights to Tony Lorick (pictured), Arizona State halfback. The Oakland Raiders of the AFL hinted they would take the case to court.
The Raiders and the Baltimore Colts of the NFL each contend they signed Lorick to a contract in the latest of several “double signing” cases that have cropped up since the AFL was founded five years ago.
Commissioner Joe Foss of the AFL said: “Based on the evidence I submitted to Commissioner [Pete] Rozelle [of the NFL] and in lieu of evidence of the contrary, I strongly feel Lorick is bound contractually to the Oakland Raiders.”
Rozelle commented: “I looked into this matter, and from information that I developed, I just concluded that I would not repudiate the Colts’ contract with Lorick.”
The lack of agreement, according to Foss, “leaves a decision of further action to the Oakland club.”
In Oakland, a spokesman said the club was considering “one or two alternatives” and would announce a course of action in a few days. The choice may involve going to court, he said.
In Baltimore, Harry Humes, Colts’ spokesman, said: “As far as we are concerned, we have the fellow signed. He is going to work out with us on Monday. He is living in Baltimore, he has been living here, he is working here. His family is here.”
Foss insisted the “evidence” indicated Lorick had made a contract with the Raiders “in good faith.”
“That evidence,” he said, “includes a sworn affidavit by Brad Pye, sports editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel, who represented the Raiders at the signing, and statements in the newspapers attributed to Lorick, all of which indicated to me a valid contract initially with Oakland on the Sunday following the AFL draft, and an accepted bonus check and monies.”
Lorick, 6-1 and 200 pounds, is from Los Angeles. A high school phenom at halfback, he was converted to fullback by head coach Frank Kush at Arizona State. As a senior last year, Lorick accumulated 805 yards on the ground with a 7.7 yards-per-carry average.
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