MINNEAPOLIS - Three Vikings were arrested after a fight outside a bar early Sunday.
Coach Mike Tice confirmed to the Associated Press the arrests of linebackers E.J. Henderson and Mike Nattiel, and tight end Steve Farmer. "I have not been able to find out anything concrete yet," Tice said.
The three were arrested along with a fourth man after a fight outside a nightclub in the downtown Warehouse District.
The man injured in the fight, Troy Jones, 32, of Brooklyn Center was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and discharged later on Sunday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Police released the names of those arrested, but would not confirm the three are Vikings players.
Officers said they saw the men who were arrested assaulting the victim, and after the man was knocked unconscious, he continued to be kicked, punched and stomped on his body and head, police spokesman Ron Reier said. The players and the fourth man arrested were released from the Hennepin County Jail later Sunday, a dispatcher said.
Nattiel, a sixth-round draft pick in 2003 out of Florida, had 24 tackles and one interception and was key member on special teams.
STEELERS: The team reworked the contract of Tommy Maddox, giving him a raise that should make him feel like the team's starting quarterback, ESPN.com reported. Maddox agreed in principle to a new four-year deal that included a $2-million signing bonus and could be worth $14-million with incentives.
COURTING BRENDA WARNER: The wife of quarterback Kurt Warner has created a stir in New York ... already. Radio executives at ESPN-1050 are trying to get Brenda Warner to agree to regular appearances on their station. Kurt Warner signed a two-year contract with the Giants last week. "We would love to give her an opportunity," ESPN-1050's Mike Thompson told New York's Daily News. "I've already sent some feelers out. She has already proven that she is sometimes more direct than many athletes, coaches or agents."
Arena League
CHICAGO 59, ORLANDO 49: Raymond Philyaw passed for four touchdowns and DeJuan Alfonzo intercepted a pass at the Predators 1-yard line to help host Chicago advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Chicago plays Saturday at San Jose, which advanced with a 56-52 win over the Tampa Bay Storm.
After Philyaw's 5-yard touchdown pass gave the Rush a 43-35 lead in the fourth quarter, Chicago held Orlando at its own 2 on the kickoff. Predators quarterback Joe Hamilton attempted a screen pass, but the ball slipped off Anthony Bright's fingers and into Alfonzo's hands.
Bob McMillen ran it in on the next play to give the Rush a 50-35 lead with 11:25 left.
OTHER PLAYOFF GAMES: John Dutton passed for three touchdowns as visiting Colorado won 47-44 over New Orleans. The Crush plays at Arizona on Sunday. The Rattlers won their first-round game, 59-42 over visiting Los Angeles.
NFL Europe
Aaron Boone caught two touchdowns and the host Berlin Thunder routed the Frankfurt Galaxy 41-0, six days before the teams meet in the World Bowl. ... Defensive end Charles Alston returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown to lead the host Amsterdam Admirals to a 22-12 victory over the Rhein Fire.
