Callinan Declines N.Y. Football Offer

Harvard's record-setting fullback, senior Jim Callinan, said yesterday that he will decline last week's offer from the New York Giants for a free agent contract.

Citing a job offer from a company in New York--whose name he refused to disclose--Callinan said that he had made a previous commitment to the firm and that he was going to "stick by it."

"If the Giants had contacted me three or four weeks earlier I might have made a different decision," the 6-ft., 2-in., 205-lb. Kirkland House resident commented yesterday. "But as it was, they waited until almost the end of the year to let me know that they were interested."

Callinan's grid skills--which led him to three new Harvard records last season--apparently caught the attention of at least three members of the Giants' organization, who reportedly were "impressed" by what they saw. Last season, Callinan set single-season Harvard records for most carries (209), most rushing yards (1054), and most total offense yards (1075), as well as rushing for nine touchdowns and catching 18 passes for 204 yards.

The last Harvard graduate to meet with success in the pro football leagues was former Crimson wide receiver, Pat McInally, whose punting for the Super Bowl runners-up Cinncinati Bengals led the NFL last year.

Former Harvard quarterback Brian Buckley '81 was drafted by the hometown New England Patriots last year, but was released before the season began.

Callinan confirmed yesterday that his football days of glory are over, but said, "I might be playing some amateur rugby in the future."