[KC Chiefs.com] In order to further enhance fan safety and comfort, everyone entering Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas City Chiefs home games will be subject to hand searches beginning Sunday, September 11, by order of NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early at stadium gates to help facilitate this additional security measure. All persons entering Arrowhead will be subject to and should expect to be patted down by security personnel as they proceed through the gates.

‘Pat downs’ of ticket holders entering NFL stadiums have taken place throughout the league since the events of September 11. Following discussions at a recent league meeting, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, along with team owners, determined that these hand searches should be a required stadium security policy at all NFL games beginning this 2005 season.

“This requirement is not a result of any specific threat,” Tagliabue insisted. “It is in recognition of the significant additional security that ‘pat-downs’ offer, as well as the favorable experience that our clubs and fans have had using ‘pat-downs’ as part of a comprehensive stadium security plan.”