Quick Kicks

Was it a Wilson ball?

Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson got a token of appreciation from his players on Sunday - a ball from their 33-20 win over Cincinnati.

They figured the best way to thank the 80-year-old owner for criticizing the officiating - and drawing a $50,000 fine - was to give him a game ball.

“They just like him,” coach Wade Phillips said. “He signs their checks. I like him, too.

“I think they felt he backed the team. That’s why they gave him the game ball.”

The Bills were livid at a pass interference call on a desperation pass that gave New England one more play and a chance for a 25-21 victory last Sunday.

Although teams are prohibited from criticizing the officials, Wilson spoke out and said his team had been robbed.

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue fined Wilson $50,000.

“We all appreciated Ralph’s comments,” said Doug Flutie. “That says a lot. He stands up for the team when we have to bite our tongues. We really appreciated it.”

“It’s special to get a game ball from the team,” Wilson said.

The controversy has prompted Wilson to consider supporting instant replay.

“I’m going to give that a lot of serious thought about modifying it,” Wilson said.

Up close and personal

John Elway lay flat on his back, underneath Chester McGlockton, the 320-pound Chiefs tackle who, a second before, had driven him into the turf. The two were motionless, listening.

Elway had just thrown a ball toward Shannon Sharpe at the goal line, with the Denver Broncos’ perfect season at stake.

“Chester and I were just looking each other in the eye,” Elway said of the moment with 3:34 left to play and the Chiefs ahead, 31-28. “We were just waitin’ to hear the roar.”

The roar came. For Elway lately, it always does.

As the Mile High Stadium crowd bellowed and stomped with approval, Sharpe hauled in the legendary quarterback’s 24-yard pass in the end zone, capping the Broncos’ wild, 35-31 comeback victory and preserving the team’s unbeaten record, now 13-0.

Comeback No. 47 of Elway’s brilliant career was an enjoyable one. “This was like old times, as fun a game as I’ve played in a long time,” said Elway, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns.

Brunell sidelined indefinitely

Mark Brunell’s season was thrown into jeopardy on the second play of Jacksonville’s victory over Detroit.

Brunell sustained a severely sprained left ankle after taking a hit from Lions defensive end Robert Porcher.

X-rays of the ankle indicated no break, but the Jacksonville quarterback was in obvious pain as he lay on the field for about 2 minutes after the hit.

“It is an ankle sprain,” said Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin. “But the extent of it, I won’t know until tomorrow when we have a chance to look at everything.”

The last word …

“It’s agitating to walk off the thing and have people throw beer on me. That’s the first time that’s happened to me in my life… . But as far as the fans’ reaction, I promise you that I don’t care. They’re not going to run me out of here like they did Neil O’Donnell.” - Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart.