New NFL pat-downs move from waist up to ankle up

NEW YORK — The NFL has “enhanced” its security pat-down procedures for fans entering stadiums.

The league asked its 32 teams to instruct stadium security to search fans from the ankles up for banned items such as alcohol and weapons. Previously, the search was from the waist up.

Last week, a man was arrested on charges of using an illegal stun gun at Sunday night’s Dallas Cowboys-New York Jets game.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday the “enhanced security procedures” didn’t result from any specific threat, but from the league’s practice of “always refining and improving” security.

The new checks started at last week’s season-opening games.

McCarthy said that since the pat-downs likely will take longer now, fans should try to arrive at games earlier.