TORONTO (AP)
Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford attended Sunday's NFL game
between Buffalo and Atlanta, wearing a blue Bills jersey with the
name and number of running back Fred Jackson.
With about five minutes left in the first quarter, Ford walked
down the aisle behind the Atlanta bench. Fans turned from the field
and took pictures. The mayor arrived just before Jackson scored a
touchdown.
At least four Toronto police officers and several stadium
security staff were at the entrance to the VIP section where Ford
had an aisle seat. They tried to keep fans from approaching for
photos and handshakes.
But Ford posed for pictures during halftime, flanked by his
security minder and a pair of police officers.
While some shouted support for Ford, other yelled out insults
related to his admitted drug use. When the crowd became too large,
Ford was escorted to a nearby elevator.
Last month, Ford acknowledged smoking crack in a ''drunken
stupor'' but refused to resign as mayor of Canada's largest city
and financial capital. He has been largely stripped of his powers
by his city council.
Ford attended a Canadian Football League playoff game at Rogers
Centre last month. He is reportedly interested in going to the
NHL's Winter Classic outdoor game between the Detroit Red Wings and
Toronto Maple Leafs in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Jan. 1.