[clari.sports.football] Dorsett says retirement `official'

clarinews@clarinet.com (02/01/90)

	DENVER (UPI) -- Tony Dorsett, the National Football League's
second-leading all-time rusher, made a quiet exit from the game
Wednesday after a career that certainly will land him in the Hall of
Fame.
	Dorsett, who spent the past two seasons in Denver after 11 years in
Dallas, said his retirement is official.
	``I'm through,'' Dorsett said told a Denver newspaper from his home
in Dallas. ``It's official. I don't have any immediate plans except to
relax. I want to try to get my knee back to normal.''
	Dorsett was injured during the Broncos' training camp last summer.
He underwent reconstructive surgery and missed the entire 1989 season.
	Denver Coach Dan Reeves said he hadn't heard from Dorsett, but both
he and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said they understood Dorsett would
retire.
	Dorsett finished his career with 12,739 yards, trailing only
Chicago's Walter Payton in that category. Dorsett also is second in
league history in combined yards, third in rushing attempts, fourth in
receptions by a running back, and sixth in rushing touchdowns.