NFL wide receiver Donté Stallworth suffered “severe burns” when a hot-air balloon carrying him and his girlfriend hit power lines in South Miami-Dade early Saturday, his lawyer told The Miami Herald.
His girlfriend also was injured, although her condition was unknown. The balloon operator was not hurt.
The 32-year-old New England Patriots receiver, an unrestricted free agent who has played 10 seasons in the NFL, and the woman were taken to the Trauma Center at Kendall Regional Hospital, according to Miami-Dade police.
The crash happened about 10 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
The football player’s lawyer, Christopher Lyons, said Stallworth is in stable condition in the intensive care unit. He declined to talk about the condition of Stallworth’s girlfriend.
49ERS SIGN SAFETY
The San Francisco 49ers went with frugality over flash Saturday, signing former St. Louis Rams safety Craig Dahl to a three-year, $5 million deal and giving him license to take over the position formerly played by Washington Huskies product Dashon Goldson.
“They told me that there was an opportunity to play in the voided safety position in the secondary,” said Dahl, 27. “I’m hoping to come in here and … fill that void.”
The 49ers also considered 15-year veteran Charles Woodson, who met with the 49ers on Wednesday. Dahl’s modest deal does not keep the team from adding Woodson, 36. But it is evidence they will not spend a lot at the position.
Dahl said he wouldn’t mind if more players are added. “I’m always open to competition,” he said. “The team that’s progressing is always bringing in guys for competition.”
ELSEWHERE
The Patriots released veteran receiver Brandon Lloyd and re-signed defensive backs Aqib Talib, Kyle Arrington and Adrian Wilson. … The Giants plugged a need on both sides of the ball, signing middle linebacker Dan Connor to a one-year contract and agreeing to terms with tight end Brandon Myers. … The Jets re-signed kicker Nick Folk, who opted to stay with the team after being an unrestricted free agent. … Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears agreed to a two-year contract with the Ravens. … Defensive lineman Elvis Dumervil parted ways with his agent after a paperwork mix-up forced the Broncos to release him.
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