Slaughter brings Jarrett Payton home
Jarrett Payton has played professionally in the NFL with the Titans, for NFL Europe and in the Canadian Football League.
His next stop is the Indoor Football League.
“There is a deep connection between my family and football fans in this town and I’m proud to begin the next chapter of that relationship,” Payton, the son of late Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, said on Thursday after signing with the Chicago Slaughter.
Led by coach Steve “Mongo” McMichael, the Slaughter went 14-0 and captured the Continental Football League championship last season. They play their home games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
— Fred Mitchell
De los Cobos likely to be Fire’s next coach
The Fire is in final negotiations with former El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos to become the team’s next coach. However, Fire spokeswoman Becky Carroll disputed a report Thursday that a deal had been completed.
While the Fire has been tight-lipped about the search, de los Cobos told the Mexican newspaper Record that he expects to reach an agreement soon.
“I can’t say more because we have promised the management in Chicago that, when there is a decision, it will be confirmed,” de los Cobos told the newspaper. “For now, all I can say is that there has been good progress.”
The combination of protracted negotiations, including the possible loan or transfer of Salvadorian winger Julio Martinez from Mexican club Leon, and snow hitting the Chicago area have delayed any announcement by the club until next week.
De los Cobos led El Salvador to the finals of World Cup qualifying, its best performance in 12 years.
— Tribune
Going Mobile: Senior invite for Wootton
Northwestern defensive end Corey Wootton has been selected to play in the Senior Bowl, which will be played at 3 p.m. on Jan. 30 in Mobile, Ala., and be televised by the NFL Network. Wootton becomes the 24th player in NU history to earn an invitation to the showcase for college prospects.
The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Wootton started a school-record 49 games for the Wildcats and closed his career with 19.5 sacks, third on NU’s all-time list. He is projected to go in the first or second round of the NFL draft.
One programming note: The Big Ten Network will re-air the Wildcats’ Jan. 1 Outback Bowl game vs. Auburn at 9:30 p.m. Monday.
— Teddy Greenstein
