NFL | Everett praises spinal-cord researchers

MIAMI — Kevin Everett and Marc Buoniconti each suffered a severe spinal-cord injury while making a tackle. The difference between them Friday was partly the result of more than 20 years of research.

Buoniconti has used a wheelchair since being paralyzed while playing football for The Citadel in 1985.

Everett walked through the lobby of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis about seven months after he was facedown on the turf, the result of a tackle in which his helmet struck another player's helmet and shoulder pad.

The former Buffalo Bills tight end praised the experimental therapies being developed at the world's largest spinal-cord injury research center.

"You can see it works," Everett said. "They practically saved my life. They got me to where I wanted to be again, moving and walking around."

Everett stood next to Buoniconti; Dr. Barth Green, the Miami Project's co-founder; and Dr. Dalton Dietrich, its scientific director. Green started the project in 1985 with three families whose loved ones had suffered spinal-cord injuries, including Buoniconti, son of Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti.

"To be able to see the work of the Miami Project pay off by being part of Kevin's recovery, it means the world to us," Marc Buoniconti said. "To see how far the research has come, it goes to show you how close we are to actually finding a cure."

Doctors initially feared Everett would not walk after his career-ending injury.

Notes

• Oakland signed defensive end Kalimba Edwards, 28, to a two-year contract reportedly worth $5 million. He was cut earlier this month by the Detroit Lions.

• Offensive lineman Seth McKinney, 28, re-signed with the Cleveland Browns for one year.

• Carolina signed Milford Brown, 27, in a move intended to bolster its offensive line. He started 15 games for St. Louis last season, playing right tackle and both guard positions.

• Cornerback/kick returner Chris Carr, 24, has signed an offer sheet from the Tennessee Titans.

Oakland will have seven days to match the contract once it receives the sheet. If Oakland chooses not to match, Carr will join the Titans without Tennessee having to give up a draft pick.

• Tight end Billy Bajema, 25, re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers, agreeing to a one-year deal.

• Laveranues Coles, 30, and the New York Jets agreed to have the rest of the receiver's contract guaranteed. He will make $11 million over two seasons.

• Herb Rich, defensive captain of the New York Giants when they won the 1956 league title, died in Nashville, Tenn. He was 79.