EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets plan to reinstate the sale of beer next season despite a ban in the season finale that appeared to curb fan rowdiness.
Whether sales will be limited and when the taps will be shut remain to be determined.
The Jets instituted Sunday's prohibition after increased security at their prior home game failed to dissuade hundreds of men from imploring women at Gate D to expose their breasts at halftime.
This Sunday, access to Gate D was restricted at halftime, with one ramp closed and the other partially open, said James R. Minish, executive vice president of facilities for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which operates the stadium.
"We had fewer crowd control problems yesterday than we would normally run into during a football game," Minish said Monday, although he had no immediate figures on arrests and removals.
He attributed the calmer scene to the absence of alcohol and a small crowd of about 45,000, well below stadium capacity of about 78,000.
The beer ban was not announced before the game so that fans would not "overindulge" in the parking lot ahead of kickoff, Minish said.
The Jets prevailed 13-10 in overtime of their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, but some fans let authorities know they missed their suds.
"We want beer!" some chanted at halftime, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported.
State Senate President Richard D. Codey, D-Essex, attended the game and endorsed the Jets' efforts to curb harassment of women.
"There's a little too much drinking," Codey told the newspaper. "If you can't act responsibly, we don't want you at the game."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
