TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - An appeals court ruling means the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are free to resume pat-down searches of fans entering the stadium.

The pat-down searches were NFL policy but were stopped at Raymond James Stadium three years ago when a high school government teacher challenged them in court. He claimed the searches were unconstitutional.

The lawsuit has bounced around the courts since then. On Monday, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the searches could continue.

The Bucs have a home game Sunday, but a spokeswoman said it's too soon to start up the pat-down searches again. They'll likely start at the October 12 game.

Fans entering every other NFL stadium are also subject to the searches.

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Information from: The Tampa Tribune, http://www.tampatrib.com


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