FOOTBALL Philly legislator looking to block Eagles' food ban

Fans aren't allowed to bring outside food into the new stadium.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- State tax money was used to help build Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Now a local legislator wants to create a state law to block the Philadelphia Eagles from barring fans from bringing their own food into the stadium.
Rep. Michael McGeehan, D-Philadelphia, said Thursday he plans to introduce a bill in the next few weeks that would prohibit any taxpayer-financed stadiums and sports arenas from banning outside food.
Eagles fans have been outraged since the team announced the ban last week. Pennsylvania taxpayers footed $180 million of $520 million cost for the stadium, which is set to open next month to replace Veterans Stadium.
"What really burns me is that when these team owners came to Harrisburg with their tin cups, they said they wanted to serve the public by building new stadiums. The first opportunity they get, they want to gouge the very people they said they wanted to help," McGeehan said.
Team stands by decision
Team President Joe Banner has steadfastly defended the decision, citing security reasons in the post-Sept. 11 environment. A team spokesman did not return a telephone call seeking comment Thursday on McGeehan's proposal, which does not mention any penalties for instituting a food ban.
McGeehan, who said he tries to go to two or three Eagles games a year and has brought in an occasional hoagie, called the security argument a "red herring."
"I can get on an airplane with a hoagie. I can walk into the Capitol with a hoagie," he said.