Vikings Hit Twice: Newton Ticketed, Muncie Set Down

Minnesota Vikings rookie nose tackle Tim Newton was stopped and ticketed for possession of marijuana in Minneapolis Thursday night.

The announcement came within hours of a statement by National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle that Viking running back Chuck Muncie had been suspended from this Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers after missing two drug-counseling sessions in the past week.

Newton’s offense is considered a petty misdemeanor, police said, adding that Newton has seven days to decide whether to plead guilty and pay a $100 fine or plead innocent and appear in court.

Neither Coach Bud Grant nor Newton would comment on the incident or its implications after Friday’s practice. The NFL is investigating the incident.

Muncie, recently reinstated after a one-year suspension for drug problems, gave no advance notice of his absences from the drug-therapy sessions.

The Vikings released this statement from Muncie: “I know I should have handled this situation better. I guess you could say I have reasons for missing the meetings, but no excuses.

” . . . I was wrong. . . . but after receiving the suspension I know I will work extremely hard at making all the meetings in the future.”