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DENVER - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was seriously wounded when he was among six people shot early Sunday outside a bar following the Colorado-Colorado State football game.
Porter was in serious condition after being shot in the buttocks, but the injury wasn't life-threatening, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. One of the other victims died, Jackson said.
Porter, 26, was not involved in any confrontation. The All-Pro linebacker, a five-year veteran, is a Colorado State graduate.
"He was an innocent bystander. There was no confrontation or altercation that we know of at this time," said Jackson.
No arrests were made.
Jackson said the shots were fired from outside a fenced-in parking lot where the victims were standing just before 2 a.m.
James Greer, manager of the All Sports Bar & Grill in northeast Denver, said everyone had left the bar at the time of the shooting.
"Joey had been to the game and he came down here to patronize our business. This is very sad. I hope it doesn't interfere with his playing," Greer said.
He said there had been no fights or arguments before the shooting. One of the victims, Kendal Johnson, was a bar employee. He was treated and released.
The dead man was identified as Christopher Wilford, 28.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said the team would not place Porter on injured reserve, which would sideline him for the season.
"The bullet entered his left buttocks and is lodged in his right thigh," Cowher said Sunday. "All the preliminary tests are being done and, at this time, it looks as though the bullet did not hit any vital organs. He is resting comfortably in the hospital and we are in the process of ... trying to fly him back here (Monday)."
Cowher did not speculate how long Porter would be out. Losing Porter for a substantial period would be a major blow to a defense that was the NFL's best in 2001 and ranked seventh overall last season.
"Joey's going to be fine; he'll be back," Cowher said. "He's a special guy and he'll be back."
Clark Haggans, who played mostly as a rush end in the Steelers' dime defense last season, likely will start Sunday's opener against Baltimore. Haggans also is a former Colorado State player.
Cowher talked to Porter on Sunday and said the linebacker was distraught over getting hurt with the season about to start. The Steelers otherwise came through the preseason with no serious injuries.
"He's as well as can be expected. He feels like he's let the football team down. He was really emotional," Cowher said.
Porter, a third-round draft pick in 1998, played in his first Pro Bowl last season. He became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have nine sacks and four interceptions.
Considered one of the league's best all-around linebackers, Porter also had two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles last season. Against Oakland in the second game of 2002, Porter made 10 solo tackles, had three sacks and intercepted two passes, earning him to AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"Joey's like a Broadway showman," Haggans said during training camp. "If he has any ability in something he likes to show it. He wants everyone to see it, like it."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=10&u=/ap/20030831/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_steelers_porter_shot
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