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George Steinbrenner Stable After Fainting

Posted on: Sunday, 28 December 2003, 06:00 CST

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was recovering Sunday, a day after he fainted at a memorial service for football great Otto Graham.

The 73-year-old Steinbrenner was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in stable condition after he collapsed, Paul Dezzi of the Sarasota County Fire Department said Saturday. He was alert and talkative, and based on preliminary tests, "Everything showed up fine," he added.

Dezzi said Sunday he believed Steinbrenner's condition hadn't changed. Hospital spokeswoman Lynn Cassan did not comment to the AP, citing patient confidentiality.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune columnist Doug Fernandes said he was about 20 feet away when Steinbrenner fell during a slide show. The presentation, prepared by Graham's grandchildren and shown at a reception, featured pictures of Steinbrenner and Graham together.

"He went to reach for a chair but he missed, and he went face-first into the carpet," Fernandes said. "People were stunned. They started loosening his tie and his collar. He was out for a few seconds. By the time they wheeled him out, his color had returned."

Temperatures were normal for this time of year, in the mid-70s. The reception room was full.

Graham, a longtime friend of Steinbrenner, died Dec. 17. The Hall of Fame quarterback was 82.

Steinbrenner, who has owned the Yankees since 1973, lives in Tampa, about 60 miles from Sarasota.

Steinbrenner grew up in Cleveland and later became longtime friends with Graham, the Browns' star quarterback from 1946-55. They were golfing partners, attended banquets together and helped each other with charity events.

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AP Sports Writers Ben Walker and Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

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