Salata pulls through surgery

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- As with most days, Paul Salata got through Friday in

fairly good humor.

Still, Friday was far tougher than most.

Resting comfortably in Hoag Hospital in the afternoon, the Newport

Beach icon had pulled through an operation to treat colon cancer.

With his family by his side, the 74-year-old Salata is recovering well

from the demanding procedure and seems to be in fairly good spirits.

Salata’s secretary, Pat Taylor, monitored the situation on a

minute-to-minute basis.

“The doctor said he did fine,” Taylor said. “Things are looking

positive.”

Salata is best known for inventing Irrelevant Week, which coincides

with the NFL Draft and honors the last man picked.

Salata, a Linda Isle resident, has led the infamous celebration for 25

years.

His relationship with the gridiron goes back even further.

As a receiver for the USC Trojans, Salata played in two Rose Bowls. In

the 1945 edition, Salata caught a touchdown pass against the Tennessee

Volunteers in a 25-0 win.

As an end in the NFL, he played for the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore

Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. Salata also suited up for the Calgary

Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.

Salata has said he created Irrelevant Week as a way to “do something

for the guy you never heard of.”

That creation has assured that Salata was never that guy. He’s even

been honored by the NFL Alumni Assn. with a Lifetime Achievement award.

Salata’s wife, Beverly, and children, Bradley and Melanie, were by his

side Friday in the hours following the 7:30 a.m. operation.