The Gliebermans - Part Deux Begins

In the early 90's. Ottawa Rough Rider owners Bernie and Lonie Glieberman brought in Dexter Manley. He was a major talent with major baggage.

If you want further proof that, as I said this morning, the Gliebermans are already running the Renegades, consider today's signing of a major talent with major baggage.

Dmitris Underwood, the former NFL defensive lineman who suffers from bipolar disorder, has signed with the 'Gades. Lonie likely fell in love with Underwood's game when he starred at Michigan State. There's not much else to love about Underwood's past. Thanks to Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated for the following account of the troubles suffered by the newest Renegade.

Underwood injured his shoulder in the '99 preseason and while rehabbing in Lansing, Mich., during a September bye week, he was arrested for non-payment of child support for his then 17-month old twins. Hours after being released from jail, police found Underwood in the street, bleeding from self-inflicted knife wounds to the throat. Apparently he had tried to kill himself because he believed the world was going to end with the beginning of the new millennium.

Another suicide attempt would follow in January 2001, two weeks after his first NFL season, with Dallas. He reportedly ran into traffic on a Florida highway twice, telling police he "wanted to go to Jesus." Underwood had been detained after kicking a car and asking passing motorists for a gun.

Underwood also was arrested twice in November 2002, once for punching a police officer during an altercation and later on charges of robbing a paraplegic person in a wheelchair. After returning to court following a stay in a psychiatric facility, he received five years' probation for assault on a public servant and one year deferred adjudication for aggravated robbery of a disabled person. Underwood wound up back in a psychiatric hospital 13 months ago after Dallas police officers were forced to use pepper spray to drag him into custody when he refused to move from his stalled car that was blocking southbound traffic on I-35. He left the hospital within 24 hours.
Um. Welcome to Ottawa?

The Renegades believe he's turned things around. If that's true, they've landed a beauty because no one has ever questioned this guy's game. At 6 foot 5 and 300 pounds, he could dominate.

But football has never been the problem.

His Out Pitch is Probably the Slider

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who throws right handed (*cough*), has been told to cut back on his computer time. Apparently, his current elbow troubles have been brought on by the hours he's spending typing on the computer. Zambrano claims he’s in chat rooms too much, talking to his brother. Uh-huh. Elbow trouble - Internet addiction. Internet addiction – Elbow trouble.

You know, sometimes the comedy is too easy and you just have to step away. We could take a shot at this guy. But you and I are better than that. No word on when he gets off - the DL.

That’s gold, Jerry! GOLD!