Radio Station Review Calls It ‘Heads’

Radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh said Friday it enhanced the audio of a CBS-TV tape and detected someone faintly saying “heads” before Steeler fullback Jerome Bettis said “tails” during the controversial overtime coin flip in the Detroit Lions’ 19-16 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Referee Phil Luckett has been blamed by the Steelers for blowing the toss, which gave first possession in overtime to Detroit. The Lions subsequently drove for Jason Hanson’s game-winning 42-yard field goal.

Luckett, however, has stuck with his version that Bettis said “heads-tails” and that he went with the first thing he heard. KDKA could not determine whether a Steeler or a Lion said “heads.”

The NFL said it would have no comment on the coin flip controversy, but is conducting a review of the events and expects to conclude that review next week.

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Minnesota Viking running back Robert Smith will sit out at least two games because of a sprained right knee he suffered in the second quarter of the Vikings’ 46-36 victory over Dallas on Thursday.

“He’ll probably miss two games, but no more than that,” Minnesota Coach Dennis Green said. “Robert is a big loss for us.”

Before he was injured, Smith gained 46 yards in eight carries against the Cowboys to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the second season in a row.

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The New England Patriots will not know until today whether quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s broken right index finger will keep him from playing Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

“I messed around a little [Friday] and then I’ll try to do a little something [today] and see what happens,” said Bledsoe, who injured his finger during Monday night’s 26-23 victory over Miami. “But it probably will end up being more of a game-time decision, I think. I don’t know when, in fact, we’ll make the decision, but nothing’s been decided yet.”

New England Coach Pete Carroll said the Patriots will be patient.

“With a player of this magnitude, we’ll use all the time we have,” Carroll said. “We’re going to wait and see, we don’t know what it’s going to be like. Any information that we have for a broken index finger and playing quarterback--nobody has that one for us. There’s every intention that, if possible, we are going to do it.”

If Bledsoe can’t play, Scott Zolak, who has thrown 181 passes in an eight-year career, will start.

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The Green Bay Packers warned their fans against using laser pointers at games. Citing the inherent danger in their use, the Packers said any fan using a laser pointer would be dealt with harshly. The NFL has directed its teams to adopt a firm policy against lasers after receiving reports the pointers were being aimed at players and game officials during games.

Jerry Parins, corporate security officer for the Packers, said the devices will be confiscated by stadium security. In addition, the fans could be ejected from Lambeau Field and charged with disorderly conduct. They also could be forced to forfeit their season tickets for using laser pointers.

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An unidentified group of investors has reportedly made the highest initial bid--$600 million--for the Washington Redskins, The Washington Post reported.