NFL PLAYERS STRIKE: DAY 3 : Police Arrest Charles Martin for Throwing Egg

One player was arrested for throwing an egg at a non-union replacement Thursday as trouble on NFL picket lines flared again.

While insults and epithets filled the air at most picket lines set up on the third day of the strike by the NFL Players Assn., some of the striking Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots carried their protests to extremes.

Charles Martin, who was waived by the Green Bay Packers earlier this week and then claimed by the Houston Oilers, was arrested in Green Bay for throwing an egg at a car that apparently belonged to a non-union player.

Sgt. William Parins said Martin, a defensive lineman, was taken into custody for throwing the egg. Martin said it was an accident and that he just dropped the egg, Parins said.

Martin was charged with disorderly conduct and released on $99.10 bond, according to Lt. Larry Gille of the Green Bay Police Dept.

Last season, Martin was suspended for two games by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle for slamming Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon to the turf.

Non-union players reported to all 28 teams except the Minnesota Vikings, who will conduct tryout camps this weekend in Memphis, Tenn.

In Indianapolis, striking players broke two windows in a bus and pelted it with eggs after the non-union players finished their first practice. Colt starting quarterback Gary Hogeboom is one of the NFL players who have crossed the picket lines.

Striking New England players threw eggs and a beer bottle at some of the newly recruited players as they were dropped off at a Sharon, Mass., motel by Patriot coaches following a practice session.

The bottle, thrown by nose tackle Toby Williams, landed a few feet from a car driven by offensive backfield coach Bobby Grier, who had just driven up to the front door of the motel.

Lin Dawson, New England’s player representative, quickly tried to restore order, warning his teammates, “Hey fellas, we’re going to have some problems with that glass-throwing.”

Meanwhile, the non-union players each handled the situation in his own way.

Stacey Price, a defensive back signed by the San Diego Chargers, said he tried to ignore the taunts from striking players.

“You forget about the pressure and start thinking about your aching legs,” Price said.

Leon Thomasson, a cornerback who was playing semi-pro football in Connecticut, is working out with Atlanta. He said, “It’s a chance to make some money and make a name for myself. It’s all business. They (the striking players) have got to do what they’ve got to do, and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.”