PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AFC : Dolphin Safety Confronts Reporter

Miami Dolphin safety Gene Atkins, angered by a recent newspaper column, bumped the reporter who wrote the article and later grabbed him by the throat in the locker room Wednesday.

Atkins said he unintentionally bumped into the writer, Jason Cole of the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale, knocking him down. But he acknowledged being upset by Cole’s Sunday column.

Cole rose slowly and followed Atkins to his locker, seeking an explanation. When Cole put his hand on Atkins’ shoulder, Atkins grabbed him by the throat with his left hand and pushed him away.

“Get your hands off me,” Atkins said twice.

Dolphin Coach Don Shula apologized on behalf of the team and fined Atkins an undisclosed amount. The NFL plans no action, a league spokesman said. Cole, who was unhurt, declined to comment.

The column in question concerned the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. Cole wrote that some Dolphins are grousing about Atkins’ contract, which was restructured in May and included a $1.8-million signing bonus.

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