Reliant among NFL stadiums named in dirty bomb threat

The Homeland Security Department has put officials and NFL stadium owners in seven U.S. cities, including Houston, on alert after a warning was posted online claiming that the cities' stadiums would be destroyed by dirty bombs this weekend — but the government says it's looking at the threat "with strong skepticism."

The threat was posted Oct. 12 as part of an ongoing online conversation. It warned of attacks on NFL stadiums in Houston, Atlanta, New York, Miami, Seattle, Oakland and Cleveland, where games are scheduled this weekend. The AP reports that the threat said, in part, "The death toll will approach 100,000 from the initial blasts and countless other fatalities will later occur as result from radioactive fallout." The bombs would be delivered in trucks and set to detonate nearly simultaneously; according to the posting, al-Qaida would be automatically blamed for the attack and Osama bin Laden would later take responsibility through a video released to al-Jazeera.

So is there anything to worry about? No, says Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke. Knocke told the AP that intelligence doesn't indicate any such attacks will take place; the warning to local officials and stadium owners, he said, was sent out of "an abundance of caution." Football fans are being urged to attend games as usual this weekend.

In Houston, Texans VP of communication Tony Wylie said the team has been in contact with the NFL regarding security procedures to be in place for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Reliant Park President Shea Guinn stressed that stadium officials "are working with our law enforcement officials and [Homeland Security] to ensure a safe environment for all fans, players and gameday employees."