University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present University Relations 9-5-1967 Montana's Wayne Becker sent down, but signs 1968 contract with bears University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations, "Montana's Wayne Becker sent down, but signs 1968 contract with bears" (1967). University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present. 2854. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases/2854 This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Relations at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA FROM INFORMATION SERVICES MISSOULA. MONTANA 59801 PHONE 243-2522 A R EA CODE 400 FOR RELEASE IMMEDIATELY schwanke 9-5-67 sports one MONTANA'S WAYNE BECKER SENT DOWN, BUT SIGNS 1968 CONTRACT WITH BEARS MISSOULA-- Former University of Montana tackle Wayne Becker has been cut by the Chicago Bears of the National Football League, but owner-coach George ilalas still has high hopes for the huge gridder, and made him sign a 1968 contract with the Chicago club. Becker, who stood 6-7 and weighed 265 when he played recently in the Chicago Bears- Washington Redskins NFL exhibition tilt, started with the Bears this summer as a center and then was moved to tackle. He will spend this season with the Eugene Bombers, a professional team in the Continen­ tal League which has benefited by receiving five players dropped by the Bears. Big Wayne will return for another try with the Bears next summer. Raymond "Fido" Murphy, special assistant to Halas, has been chiefly responsible for sending Becker and the other four dropped Bears to Eugene. "We're very interested in Becker," said Murphy last week. "He could be a starting tackle next season with the Bears-- we think he's that good." Becker was somewhat disappointed about being dropped by the Bears, but he feels a year at Eugene will give him a good shot at making the NFL team next year. 30.