Fans attending NFL games this season will be subject to pat-downs as part of enhanced security implemented by commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Tagliabue emphasized in a letter to teams that there was no specific additional threat.
But he noted that some stadiums had done hand searches of fans for several years under the increased security in place since Sept. 11, 2001. The searches also have been used during playoff games and at the Super Bowls played since the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
Tagliabue said that owners decided at their Aug. 10 meeting to extend it to all stadiums.
"This new requirement is not a result of any specific threat information," Tagliabue said. "It is in recognition of the significant additional security that pat-downs offer, as well as the favorable experience that our clubs and fans have had using pat-downs as part of a comprehensive stadium security plan."
DOPES IN CAROLINA
Carolina Panthers officials didn't know some of their players visited a South Carolina doctor suspected of writing illegal steroids prescriptions, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said on Thursday.
"I think one thing is clear already, based on what I have been presented with, that no one within the Panthers organization was in any way, shape or form involved with any of these players who were playing outside the lines," Tagliabue said, according to a statement released by the team.
The NFL began its investigation into allegations of steroid use after a CBS News report in March identified center Jeff Mitchell, tackle Todd Steussie and punter Todd Sauerbrun as having filled prescriptions written by Dr. James Shortt of West Columbia, South Carolina for steroids. Several other former Panthers have also been named as Shortt's patients in subsequent media reports.
The league has nearly finished the investigation, Tagliabue said.
"Hopefully, I'll have the report by the beginning of the season, and then we can discuss it with the [NFL] Players Association to see whether there are changes that we can make that would perhaps increase the penalties for players who might engage with others in a course of conduct that was designed to circumvent the [drug-testing] program," Tagliabue said.
The players involved in the investigation probably won't be suspended, he said.
"Based on what I've heard to this point, it would be virtually impossible to have found that any player violated the program the way the program exists," Tagliabue said.
Of the players identified in the initial CBS report, only Mitchell, the Panthers' starting center, remains with the team. Steussie is with the Buccaneers and Sauerbrun was traded to the Broncos.
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