Jockstrip: The world as we know it

A few tummy rumbles for Ohio rivals

BEREA, Ohio, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson sent some Cleveland Browns bottles of Pepto Bismol to soothe their stomachs before Sunday's big game.

Each of Cleveland's four defensive backs got a package from Johnson, WEWS-TV, Clevland, reported Thursday.

One of the recipients, cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, said he got a good laugh out of the prank but "some of the guys are taking it personal," WEWS said.

"But I think for the most part, he is not an in-your-face guy," he told the TV news. "He just likes to have fun. He enjoys playing football. He's a jokester."

In reality, both teams are probably a littel queasy at this point.

The Browns, 2-3, are coming off a 34-23 loss to Pittsburgh. Cincinnati, 1-3, had last weekend off, but also fell to the Steelers, 28-17, two weeks ago.

The intrastate rivals kick off at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Crocs pose new threat to Israel

ERUSALEM, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Crocodiles -- the African kind that can grow to 23 feet -- may be Israel's next threat, brought on by its own citizens because of their love for the man-eaters.

Experts say thieves peddling crocodile eggs have sold hundreds of them to animal lovers who may be forced to abandon them in Israel's waterways when the crocs no longer fit the family fishpond or develop a liking for tasty human flesh.

Even when they are young, these crocs can tear off a human's arm with ease, reports Sky News.

"It is a race against time," said Amnon Nachmias, a parks authority spokesman. "These crocodiles grow to a size that is dangerous to a man within three years. After a year they can bite off a hand."

So far wildlife officials have found 10 crocodiles in raids on apartments in central Israel where the baby reptiles were found swimming in bathtubs and sinks.

"The concern is they will enter fresh water lakes and rivers where they will be a threat to people and to the environment," Nachmias said.

It was the Romans who brought the crocs to Israel some 2,000 years ago for gladiator fights.

Spitzer halts sale of Freedom Tower coins

WESTCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer charged the Westchester company behind TV ads selling "2004 Freedom Tower Silver Dollar" coins with fraud.

Spitzer charged National Collector's Mint of Port Chester aims to "profit from a national tragedy" by getting TV viewers to pay $19.05 for medallions it says were produced from silver discovered in a vault below Ground Zero and has obtained a restraining order terminating their sale, the New York Post reported.

"This product has been promoted with claims that are false, misleading or unsubstantiated. It is a shameless attempt to profit from a national tragedy," Spitzer said, adding that the company's claim to have recovered Ground Zero silver is untrue.

"Our many repeat customers demonstrate the quality of our products and the integrity of our company. We stand by the accuracy of the statements in our marketing for the 2004 Freedom Tower Silver Dollar. Our efforts in marketing 9/11 commemorative items have already enabled us to donate over $1.5 million to various official Sept. 11-related charities," the company replied in a statement.

JFK sailboat seized by DEA

MARBLEHEAD, Mass., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Federal agents seized a sailboat once owned by John F. Kennedy as a teenager, accusing the current owner of having bought and restored it with drug money.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents Wednesday hauled The Flash II, a Star Class sloop Kennedy sold in 1942, out of it storage space at the Marblehead Trading Co. in Marblehead, Mass., confiscating it from Gregory "Ole" Anderson of Florida in the hopes of auctioning it off to the highest bidder, the Boston Globe reported.

"Crime doesn't pay. The seizure and forfeiture of assets allegedly gained from drug proceeds is critically important and sends a deterrent message to those who want to get involved in the illegal drug business," said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan.

The DEA's affidavit said an informant and former drug dealer contacted Anderson in February and gave him between $12,000 and $15,000 to refurbish the sailboat.

Anderson was convicted of an earlier marijuana-transportation charge for which he served one year in an Arizona state prison.