U.S. Is Skeptical of Stadium Threat

An Internet message claiming that seven NFL stadiums will be hit with dirty bombs this weekend was met with “strong skepticism” Wednesday by government security officials.

With nothing to indicate an imminent attack, local authorities and stadium owners were alerted “out of an abundance of caution.”

Dated Oct. 12, the posting was part of an ongoing conversation titled “New Attack on America Be Afraid.” It appeared on a Web site called “The Friend Society,” which links to various online forums and off-color cartoons.

The message said trucks would deliver radiological bombs to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland -- and that Osama bin Laden would claim responsibility.

Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the threat was being viewed “with strong skepticism,” but the agency contacted the NFL, local authorities and stadium owners “out of an abundance of caution.” The NCAA, which oversees college athletics, said it was also notified.

FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said the threat was “questionable” and was discussing it with the NFL as “part of our routine discussions this week.”

Officials were made aware of the Web posting on Oct. 16. The threat was timed to be carried out on Oct. 22, marking the final day in Mecca of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre sharply criticized the way the NFL handles substance abuse problems, a day after teammate Koren Robinson was suspended for the season, apparently because of a drunk driving charge.

“I don’t like the way the league has, in my mind, turned their back on him,” Favre said. “I’m not against banning him for the year. I’d love for him to play, but to boot him out, clean his locker out and say you can’t have no contact with this team?”

Favre entered the NFL’s substance abuse program during treatment for an addiction to painkillers in 1996.

The NFL had no comment.

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Chicago Bears strong safety Mike Brown is sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his right foot. Brown was injured in Monday’s victory at Arizona.

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Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (ribs) and defensive end Al Wallace (arm) missed practice and were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati. Both were injured in Sunday’s victory over Baltimore.

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Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers’ broken thumb will keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

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San Diego Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky had arthroscopic knee surgery and will be sidelined three to four weeks. He was hurt Sunday against San Francisco.

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New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, the NFL’s rushing leader, is considering retirement after the season.

“It comes a point where your body just doesn’t want to take it any more, you see other opportunities out there,” Barber, 31, said.

Barber, owed $8.3 million in the last two years of his contract, has worked on several television shows, including “Fox & Friends” on Fox News.