SEATTLE -- Brian Bosworth, hampered by arthritic shoulders, failed his 1990 team physical and was waived Tuesday by the Seattle Seahawks, which three years ago signed the much heralded linebacker to an $11 million, 10-year contract.
'Brian Bosworth had tremendous potential as a professional football player coming out of college,' said Seahawks Coach Chuck Knox. 'Unfortunately for him, injuries have prevented him from realizing his full capabilities.'
At the end of last season, Bosworth told ESPN he never felt he fit into the Seahawks' defensive scheme.
Bosworth joined the Seahawks in the 1987 supplemental draft, starting 12 games as a rookie, earning all-rookie honors.
But hampered with a left shoulder injury in 1988, Bosworth played only 10 games, and in 1989 he played in just two games before injuring his right shoulder.
He finished his career with the Seahawks playing in 24 games and recording 175 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one blocked kick and three recovered fumbles.
'Naturally, it's a disappointment to lose a player of Brian's quality,' said Seahawks President and General Manager Tom Flores. 'After more than one physical examination, our medical department could not pass him.'
Bosworth has spent most of the spring and summer filming a movie, 'The Brotherhood,' in which he plays an undercover policeman.
Seahawks spokesman Gary Wright declined to comment on the status of Bosworth's NFL contract, but the Tacoma News Tribune reported over the weekend that Bosworth could collect as much as $7.3 million tax-free because his contract was insured.
NFL documents showed that when he signed with the Seahawks, $75,000 of his first-year salary of $300,000 was deducted so the Seahawks could act as the agent in buying an insurance police that guaranteed his $8.5 million in base salaries through 1996.
According to the newspaper, because Bosworth's money was used to buy the policy, he can collect payments tax free, although he will still have to pay taxes on a $2.5 million signing bonus due after the 1991 season and on another $65,000 he would get this year under the NFL collective bargaining agreement.
Bosworth was due to be paid $600,000 in base salary by the Seahawks this year.
Neither Bosworth nor his New York agent Gary Wichard were available for comment Tuesday.
