March 3, 2003

FURMAN¹S ORLANDO RUFF SIGNS WITH NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Former Furman All-America linebacker Orlando Ruff today signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints after spending four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, it has been confirmed.

Ruff, 26, a native of Winnsboro, S.C., racked up 469 tackles in four years (1995-98) as a member of Furman¹s football program. As a senior he was named South Carolina Player-of-the-Year by the Greenville Touchdown Club and participated in the Hula Bowl and Blue-Gray All-Star Classic.

Following graduation he signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers and was named the Chargers¹ Special Teams Player-of-the-Year in 1999. In 2001 he earned starts in all 16 games at middle linebacker and totaled 74 tackles.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Ruff reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth an estimated $3 million.