Evening star., 1948-08-27
Skins Take No Chance
With AiIing Gi|mer
Despite Bell S OK
BY q stoff Correspondent Of The s,er

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 27.-Harry
Gilmer has Commissioner Bert
Bells blessing to play in all Red
skin exhibition games, but getting
DR.. Danny Fortmann's okay is an
other matter. The highly .touted
rookie quarterback is a 1,000-1 shot
not to play in the Ram game next
week and probably will not see
action until the Tribe meets Green
Bay at Birmingham on Septem-
Der II.
Gilmer's comment on Bells deci-
sion was brief.
"Goody" he said.
There never was any doubt In the
Redskin camp that the National
Football League commissioner would
rule in the former Alabama stars
favor. but with Gilmer still unable
to work out yesterdays rejoicing had
a restrained note. Everybody here
wants to see the youngster back
in uniform, but club officials, look
ing to the future and a tough 12-
game championship schedule, are
taking every precaution to guard
against more serious damage to his
ailing leg.
Gilmer's Exercise Restricted.
Fortmann, former Chicago Bears
guard and one of the National
Leagues all-time greats, guarantees
to have the rookie ready for the
league opener against Pittsburgh
only If he isn't used before then.
A torn muscle that showed up after
Gilmers leg had been opened and
drained holds the key to the fu-
ture.
If subjected to sudden pressure
before completely healed, the tear
might become bad enough to side
line Rags another month and that
would be blow to the Tribes hopes
for an Eastern championship.
Gilmer presently is restricted to
walking around the field, watching
scrimmages and observing the quar-
terback. The stitches have been re-
moved. but the leg still is swathed
in bandages which will not be re-
moved until next week Rags is
anxious to resume practice, but
doesn't want to do anything to re-
tard his recovery.
I'm ready to go back in when
ever the doctor thinks it's okay," he
said. My leg feels fine-like !
could run hundred yards in moth
ing fat. but he ought to know
what's best for me and I'm doing
what he tells me-
May Play in Birmingham.
Under league rules, the Redskin;
must announce the names of men
who definitely will not play at least
A8 hours before game, so the Off
cial decision on Gilmer is being
withheld until next week, but if he
goes on the field at all next week
1t will be merely token appear
ance.
The heir-apparent to Sammy
Baugh's throne won't get in the
Cardinal game at Denver either, but
Tribe officials would like to have
rim ready to play in Birmingham
Harry's home town But it is q
matter of conjecture. If Gllmer is
used before the curtain-raiser with
Pittsburgh, club officials must
shoulder the risk of losing his serv-
ices for an even longer time. Fort
mann, thoroughly familiar with
football injuries. won't promise any,
thing before then.
Bill Dietz. first declared out OF
the Ram game with an injured
back. was put back on the active
list today and will be ready for the
kickoff Ted Andrus also got out
Of the hospital-on crutches. 1t will
be quite while before his knee is
back to normal.
Redskin and Ram coaches and
club officials had a brief talk after
the Ram intrasquad scrimmage, but
had no trade news to announce.