NORM CLARKE'S VEGAS DIARY

View Original

RAIDERS OWNER DAVIS MISSED VEGAS EVENT DUE TO SURGERY

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis was notably absent from an NFL Draft event held at the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign on Saturday. A source close to the Raiders told VSIN.com that Davis was unable to attend due to surgery. The source declined to go into the details of the surgery, but added “He’ll be all right.”

Ex-Raiders, politicians, UNLV officials, Raiders fans and cheerleaders turned out for ESPN’s cut-ins announcing the team’s third-day selections, from round four through seven.

Among those representing the Raiders were president Marc Badain, Hall of Fame cornerback Mike Haynes, two-time All-Pro offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy, Pro Bowl linebacker Rod Martin, who had three interceptions against Philadelphia in Super Bowl XV, and former Bishop Gorman High School star David Humm, who was almost unrecognizable in a full gray beard.

Also there: Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Steve Sisolak, chairman of the Clark County Commission, UNLV president Len Jessup and UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez.

“It was a magical day,” said Humm, a backup quarterback, who spent seven seasons with the Raiders, including two Super Bowl wins, after starting three years for Nebraska.

“I think we’re going to be the best thing to happen to this city, after gaming,” said Humm, who turned 65 on April 2. He has been in a wheelchair for 19 years after being diagnosed with multiple scleroris 29 years ago.

The scene and heard My guest for the July 1 “Conversations with Norm” will be Marie Osmond, who has been headlining at the Flamingo with brother Donny since 2008. In a scheduling change, the show will be on a Saturday, with the usual 2 p.m. start in Myron’s Place at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Announcing the event will be Shawn Tempesta of KTNV-TV, Channel 13.

Hot links Inside Olympian Scott Hamilton’s cancer battles http://on.si.com/2qgXIBN

Gwen Stefani drops out of Las Vegas gala due to ruptured eardrum http://pge.sx/2pwt9qO

Cincinnati TV station’s editorial board calls for Bengals boycott after drafting Joe Mixon http://bit.ly/2qr5buv

Rumor has it: New Giada restaurant heading for Caesars Palace space http://bit.ly/2oKlV

Where you can find pizza made with 101 cheeses http://on.today.com/2qgN9yO

On this day… April 29, 1989: Jon Bon Jovi and his longtime girlfriend Dorothea Hurley sneak off from a concert tour stop in Los Angeles to get married at Graceland Wedding Chapel. Twelve years later they renew their vows there and he stages a concert in the parking lot for the 75 couples also getting hitched.

April 30, 1996: The Stratosphere hotel and casino opens with a midnight gala featuring 8,000 guests and a huge fireworks show. The 1,149-foot high observation tower, which sports heart-stopping thrill rides at the top, remains the tallest free-standing structure west of the Mississippi.

Sightings Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook, with a friend at Tao (Venetian) on Friday.

The punch line “United Airlines is investigating a report that a giant rabbit died on a flight from London to Chicago. He was survived by his wife and 167 children.” – Seth Meyers.