NorCal Gang Members Drawn To Nebraska Sports Gear

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Authorities say gang members in northern California are sporting Nebraska football jerseys and other apparel to signify their involvement in the group.

Detective Steve Sanchez, a gang unit task force member in Tulare County, Calif., told the Lincoln Journal Star that members of the Nortenos street gang don't know anything about Cornhuskers football but that hasn't stopped them from wearing the gear. One of the symbols of the gang known for drugs and violence is the letter N.

As a result, some high schools have banned students from wearing Nebraska apparel.

Michael Stephens in Nebraska's athletic office says he's aware of the trend of gang members wearing sportswear but he didn't know Nebraska apparel was part of that.

Stephens says the university will monitor what's going on.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)