Clock Runs Out on Cop’er Bowl Game for 1988

A spokesman for the San Diego Police Department confirmed Friday that the Cop’er Bowl, an annual football game pitting sheriff’s deputies against the police, won’t be played in 1988. At this point, it’s only being called a year’s sabbatical, but the county risk manager hopes it’s gone for good.

“We’ve been dealing with worker’s compensation claims for 11 years, and we’re tired of it,� said Stan Forsythe, who, through his office at the county, has paid out $433,000 in such claims to 84 injured sheriff’s deputies.

Two deputies, injured in a game a few years ago, are receiving lifetime disability payments that Forsythe said could surpass $1 million.

“And that’s taxpayers’ money,� he said.

The police, who won 10 of 11 games, which raise money to benefit the Boy’s Club, were not permitted disability payments for injuries suffered. Forsythe said it was Police Chief Bill Kolender’s policy to tell his officers: “Play at your own risk.�

Sheriff John Duffy, who unlike Kolender is elected, encouraged his deputies to play. He also allowed them to file disability claims for injuries suffered on the gridiron. Some of the injuries were serious.

“It was all knees, fingers, hands, backs,� Forsythe said. “We were lucky it was nothing more serious, such as head, neck or spinal cord injuries. I was always afraid we’d end up with a quadriplegic or paraplegic, and the taxpayers would have to pay for their care for the rest of their lives. Then the amount would have doubled or tripled.�

Forsythe said many costly battles ensued between injured deputies and the County of San Diego, which vehemently opposed paying the claims. The matter finally reached the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board, which approved the claims since Duffy had sanctioned them.

“We petitioned five cases before we finally gave up,� Forsythe said. “So we’re pleased that this thing is dying on the vine. We hope it stays dead from lack of interest.�

The Cop’er Bowl, which has raised $500,000 for youth groups during the 11 games, had suffered a decline in attendance in recent years.

Spokesmen for the Sheriff’s Department declined comment.