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BRONCO FANS SAY GOODBYE TO DAVIS

It was a loud and emotional farewell Monday night for NFL standout Terrell Davis. The award-winning, long-time football player got a standing ovation he as walked into the stadium. He was in uniform, in spite of recent surgeries necessitated by deteriorating joints, particularly his knees. The scene was the nationally televised Monday night game between the Broncos and San Francisco, before the home crowd. Davis walked into the stadium, receiving the adulation of the crowd; he then sat out the game on the sidelines. Davis had arranged to go on the injured reserve list this week. Effectively because of the de-activation -- at his request -- the Monday night game was his last, even though he saw no action. Davis emerged from an obscure late-round draft choice to become one of the NFL's most popular players. Along the way he was named the MVP during both a regular season in the NFL and after one of his more successful Super Bowls. On his new Web site -- td30.com -- he explains his problems with injuries and his reluctance to leave the sport he loves, but it became apparent during the past few months that the worsening condition of his knees would force his retirement.

MINNIE PEARL TO BE REMEMBERED AT OPRY

It's been a long time since the Grand Ole Opry first was heard on radio. It followed a broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The local announcer, noting the "down-home" nature of the Nashville event, parodied the name of the NYC broadcast by referring to what was about to come as the "Grand Ole Opry." Now as that long-running radio broadcast nears its incredible 4000th consecutive Saturday night broadcast, the cast has decided to honor the late Minnie Pearl during the celebration. Among those who will gather on the night of Aug. 31 to honor the broadcast and the much-loved comedienne will be Vince Gill, Clint Black and Steve Wariner. Country Music Television says that Kathy Mattea, winner of last year's Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award, will present the coveted honor to this year's winner. Wariner will sing Pearl's favorite song, "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." Born Sarah Colley in 1912, "Minnie Pearl" was, according to the British Broadcast Corp., country music's greatest comedienne over a 50-year-plus period. She delighted rural and urban audiences. Although her on-stage persona was that of a "country version of Gracie Allen," she was college educated, taught dancing, lectured and even performed at Carnegie Hall. Minnie Pearl died in the spring of 1996 in a nursing home. She remains one of the best-loved personalities in the history of American entertainment.

CLASSIC DODGER CATCHER ROSEBORO DIES

When Roy Campanella's tragic car accident ended his career, it was a young catcher named John Roseboro who stepped behind the plate for the Dodgers. Now, nearly half a century after his name became a household word, Roseboro has died. His publicist tells media that her client had been suffering from a heart condition in recent years. Aside from filling Campanella's enormous shoes, Roseboro will always be remembered for an incident that happened in the fall of 1965 at windy Candlestick Park in San Francisco. He was struck twice in the head by a bat swung by pitcher Juan Marichal ... on purpose. Blood streamed from the wound. Roseboro was rushed to a treatment center with a two-inch gash in his head. He played in four World Series, three times on the winning side. He was one of the fans' favorite catchers in the 1950s and '60s and a major factor in the dominance of the Dodgers in that era. John Roseboro was 69.

FRAIL POPE ADMITS TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Pope John-Paul II has made a bittersweet four-day pilgrimage to his native Poland. And, according to Vatican Radio, his comments to a crowd at the Krakow airport, just minutes before his departure for Rome, were among the first public statements by the pope that time is running out for him. The increasingly frail leader of the Catholic Church told some 30,000 at the airport that he hopes to have the strength to return at least one more time before he dies. It was an unusually candid assessment of his deteriorating physical condition. John-Paul seemed to be buoyed-up, though, by the still-strong admiration of his fellow countrymen. Poland is nearly completely Catholic and most in that country credit the current pope with helping bring about the return of democracy to that nation and helping to fracture Communist control in what was once the area behind the Iron Curtain. The pope, now 82, asked those who had come to see him off at the airport to pray for him, now ... and after his death.

JUDO TEAM TURNS TABLES ON CARJACKER

When a would-be carjacker picked a car to commandeer at a Los Angeles gas station, he could not have made a worse choice. Published reports indicate that the alleged thief tried to carjack a vehicle, in sight of another car containing members of a Florida judo club, visiting Los Angeles to teach courses in self-defense there. They were on their way back to the Los Angeles International Airport and had stopped to re-fuel their rental car before turning it in when the incident happened. Not only did the judo club members pounced on the man, but they poured gasoline on him -- but did not light it. Police arrested the 20-year-old. The arrest was caught on tape by an L.A. TV station.

RALPH STANLEY DOES IT AGAIN

It would seem that the only way for aging musicians and performers to retire is the "hard way." And, at age 75, bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley not only has no plans to stop touring; he's just produced his first solo album. Now putting out a solo album would not seem all that unusual. But, if you consider the fact that the first 185 albums on which Stanley has performed were as part of a group, it is a departure for him. The new effort, simply titled "Ralph Stanley," has debuted on the country album charts at No. 22. Billboard reports that it's become the hottest-selling album of its kind in the country. As we have reported before, the incredible popularity of the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" has led to a resurgence in interest in bluegrass and "roots" music. Many stars have benefited from the new notoriety, among them Stanley, who has been trodding the boards for more than half a century. Stanley's new CD contains his own interpretations of 11 classic American folk and bluegrass songs. One goes back to the 1920s, "The Death of John Henry," first recorded by Uncle Dave Macon in 1926.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 397

Some time ago we asked about the worst purchase you ever made. The question got such a response, I thought we'd give you a second chance to add more sob stories. So, here goes: "What is the worst or most disappointing thing you've ever purchased via mail order, either from a print or radio or TV ad?" Put BUY in the subject line and send to [email protected] on the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. (PRIZE)

A week ago we asked what was the largest prize you or a friend has won. From a very random dip into the e-mailbox, here are some of the replies: Cindy reports that her dad won a brand new car in a ticket drawing at her town festival. When told he could take the money instead, he opted for the cash. Mike P in Chicago says that although he has never won a big prize he knows someone who did, a few years back. But just a short time after claiming the prize the winner started having all kinds of problems, including health concerns. After spending the money to build a nice home for herself and her son ... she died, leaving everything to her son. Barb says that teenage friend of her daughter became the first big winner in the Indiana lottery in a scratch-off game, winning a trip to the lottery's weekly TV show and walking away with a million dollars. (Barb says she never wins anything, but keeps trying). Ali remembers a time when she tried to cash in a ticket that had as its prize another ticket. She was told to "go get her ID," even though the clerk knew her. She later found out that a friend had walked up just minutes later and bought a ticket that was worth $1,000. It might have been hers. TOMORROW: Are you ready to fly again? GBA.