NFL Seeks to Control Rowdy Fan Behavior

The NFL is taking a hard stand against fan violence after a second ugly display marred a game.

One day after a game in Cleveland was interrupted when fans threw objects, including partially filled plastic beer bottles, onto the field, the same thing happened in New Orleans on Monday. Both times, the fans were unhappy with officials’ calls.

“We are not going to tolerate objects being thrown from the stands,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. “We will work with our clubs to review all aspects of these incidents and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent them from happening again.”

Fans in the corner of one end zone of the Superdome reacted Monday night after officials flagged Saint cornerback Kevin Mathis for pass interference against the Rams’ Torry Holt.

Milt Ahlerich, the NFL’s director of security, remained in town on Tuesday and met with Superdome officials most of the morning.

Thornton said he would consult league officials on solutions that might include bans on plastic containers and penalties for season-ticket holders.

“I don’t know what the solution is,” he said, “but we can’t tolerate this situation.”

*

Legal issues are clouding Albert Connell’s suspension by the New Orleans Saints.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department is looking into the actions that led to the receiver being disciplined by the team.

“The matter is under investigation,” said sheriff’s department spokesman Col. Bob Garner. He would not comment on when or why the investigation began.

The Saints suspended Connell on Monday for the final four games of the season and fined him an additional paycheck “for conduct detrimental to the team.” Neither the Saints nor Connell’s agent, Peter Schaffer, would specify what Connell had done.

*

Bill Gramatica’s celebration landed him on injured reserve.

Gramatica tore ligaments and cartilage in his right (nonkicking ) knee Saturday when he jumped to celebrate a field goal against the New York Giants and landed awkwardly. He was put on injured reserve and is out for the rest of the season.

Cedric Oglesby won a two-man competition to replace the rookie.

*

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be without 1,000-yard rusher Jerome Bettis for at least one more week.

Two days after Coach Bill Cowher said Bettis probably would play Sunday against Detroit, the running back was listed as doubtful with a groin injury.

If Bettis sits out a third consecutive game because of the injury, he will have sat out as many games this season as he did in his first eight NFL seasons combined.

*

Former New England Patriot linebacker T.J. Turner, who was waived last month, was charged with hitting his wife and throwing a coffee table through a glass door.

His wife declined medical treatment, and police would not comment on the extent of her injuries.

Police charged Turner with two counts of domestic assault and one count of vandalism. He was arrested Saturday and released. He faces a pretrial hearing Jan. 7.