NFL PLAYERS STRIKE: DAY 3 : RAMS : Broken Window Leaves Union With Egg on Face

The Rams may have been late getting to the picket line, but they made up for lost time Thursday as striking players tossed eggs, shouted obscenities and smashed the window of a van carrying non-union players to practice in Anaheim.

The picket line, formed outside Rams Park along Lincoln Boulevard, was assembled at 8:30 a.m. and fortified by local chapters of the AFL-CIO.

At 9:30, a van carrying players and driven by office aide Joe Abad entered the driveway and was stopped by a group of striking players, who started rocking the vehicle.

Robert Cox, a first-year offensive tackle, smashed the window with the palm of his left hand, the glass shattering on non-union wide receiver Samuel Johnson.

Later, Cox said he had not meant to break the window.

“All we did was shake the car,” Cox said. “It was an accident. Of course, we don’t want any violence. It was just a show of strength.”

Immediately after the incident, Cox dropped his picket sign and left the scene with teammate Duval Love.

Later, as he was leaving the picketing area in his car, Cox extended his left arm out the window to prove he was not injured and had barely tapped the window.

“Do you see anything?” Cox said.

Johnson, a wide receiver from Prairie View A&M;, was not injured.

“They weren’t trying to hurt me,” Johnson said. “They just leaned on the window too much and it caved in. I’m all right.”

Victor Dominguez, an Anaheim police officer assigned to patrol the picket line, said that a report on the incident would be filed.

“It’s a violation of law,” Dominguez said. “It violates a penal code. It’s vandalism.”

Later, Carl Ekern the Rams’ player representative, said it would be up to the Rams to press charges.

The van is being leased by Ram trainer Jim Anderson, who said he will not take legal action.

Abad, who cooks daily meals for players and coaches, said he didn’t like the idea of having to cross the picket line.

“I’m not asked if I want to do this,” he said of driving non-union players. “I’m told to do it. I hope (the regular players) don’t take it personally.”

Ekern said the window smashing was regrettable but that it had served a purpose.

“Personally, I’m sorry that the window was broken,” Ekern said. “I wouldn’t have anticipated that. But emotions get carried away, and this is definitely a real serious situation. The statement we wanted to make has been made. We’re not happy with the collective bargaining today and the use of non-union players.”

The only casualty of the day was striker Norwood Vann, who was accidentally struck in the face by an egg intended for a group of non-union players leaving practice.

“Why am I always a victim of circumstance?” Vann said.

Some of the Rams walking the picket line were Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Cox, Love, Doug Smith, LeRoy Irvin, Greg Meisner, Jim Collins, Hugh Millen, Mike Schad, Vann, Doug Reed and Mel Owens.

Owens, who grew up in Detroit, said Thursday’s activity was tame compared to what he has seen during other strikes.

“(Window-shattering) is just a show of frustration,” Owens said. “It’s hard to sit out here and watch people take your job. I grew up in Detroit, you know. I’m not going to cross any picket line. I grew up with the UAW (United Auto Workers) and the Teamsters.”

After the morning’s picketing session, though, strikers met with Dominguez, who warned them of the legal ramifications of union violence.

“Basically, he said there are guidelines we need to follow or we will be breaking the law,” Ekern said. “He told me a good policy is one of hands-off. Don’t touch the cars. He said we could yell at them, but said there were potential problems if we put our hands on cars or throats.”

Joining the striking players Thursday were members of unions representing carpenters, communications workers, hotel workers and electricians.

“We’ll probably be here every morning and afternoon until something gets done,” Ekern said.

Among the players conspicuously absent from Thursday’s picket line was star running back Eric Dickerson.

“It doesn’t affect me,” Ekern said. “I don’t know what (missing players) had in their schedule. They’ve had a couple days of free time. Maybe they’re getting some things done. It’s hard to get in touch with everybody. But certainly, everyone should make themselves available.”

Ram Notes

Among the non-union players who sneaked through the picket line unscathed was wide receiver Ricky Martin, who drove into camp just moments after the strikers had ended their morning session, then left the complex before strikers arrived in the afternoon. Martin is the brother of Raider linebacker Rod Martin. Does his brother know he’s here? “If he didn’t know before, he must have read it in the paper this morning,” Martin said. . . . How do the Rams know when non-union players are coming and going? “We’ve been breaking in at night and stealing memos,” Carl Ekern joked. “We have guys going through the trash. We have guys who like to do that, you know.”

A fan calling the Ram offices Thursday wanted to know when the team would be picketing. The fan said she had called the number for “picket information” and received no help. “That number is for ticket information,” the Ram official said. . . . The Rams will announce a ticket refund procedure for Sunday’s canceled game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Anaheim Stadium. . . . Former Rams James McDonald and Rick DiBernardo, a tight end and linebacker, respectively, are expected to sign today.

Former Ram punter John Misko arrived in the afternoon. His presence was disturbing to some other former players. “He said it was either here or New York (Jets), and I said go to New York,” Dennis Harrah said. “Because it might get sticky here.” . . . Best line of the day: Guard Mike Schad, who signed a million-dollar contract as the team’s first-round pick a year ago but has yet to play a down in the regular season, shouting to non-union players: “Get a real job.”

RAMS’ STRIKE ROSTER

Quarterbacks--Robert Frasco (San Jose State), Bernard Quarles (Hawaii).

Running backs-- *Alonzo Williams (Mesa College, Colo), Dwaine Wilson (Idaho State), Jon Francis (Boise State), William Stone (Adams State).

Wide Receivers--Bernard Henry (Arizona State), Ricky Martin (New Mexico), *Steve Marks (UC Santa Barbara), Brian Coushay (Portland), Samuel Johnson (Prairie View A&M;), *Stacey Mobley (Jackson State).

Tight Ends--Malcom Moore (USC), Dan Noble (California).

Offensive Linemen--Tom Taylor (Georgia Tech), Navy Tuiasosopo (Utah State), Thomas Kelly (USC).

Defensive Linemen--Tom Hensley (Cal State Long Beach), Marion Knight (Nevada Las Vegas), Jim Crane (Southern Utah), Gregory Sims (Nevada Las Vegas), Shelby Nevens (Cal State Los Angeles), Sherman Nevens (Harbor JC).

Linebackers--Jim Kalafat (Montana State), Dan Clark (San Jose State), Neil Hope (USC), Cary Whittingham (Brigham Young).

Defensive Backs--*Reggie Richardson (Utah), *Ed Zeman (Fort Lewis), Holbert Johnson (New Mexico), Kirby Jackson (Mississipi State), Kevin Dickson (no college), Gerald Daniels (Pacific), Greg Williamson (Fresno State), Jerome Tyler (USC).

Punters--None.

Kicker--Don Shafer (USC).

*--Was in training camp with Rams.