[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Nate Newton cited after encounter with woman who says he cursed her

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Nate Newton, the Dallas Cowboys' All-Pro offensive guard, has been charged with a misdemeanor after swearing at a woman who asked whether his dining companion was his wife or his mistress.

"He admitted that yes, he did curse her," Fort Worth police Lt. Mark Krey said Friday.

The incident occurred about 12:15 p.m. Monday when Newton was eating lunch with a companion at a Mexican restaurant inside a Fort Worth mall, Krey said. The restaurant is separated from the mall corridor only by a decorative iron railing.

Another diner, 41-year-old Vickie Miller of Fort Worth, came up to Newton's table and asked for an autograph, a request Newton declined, Krey said. Later, as the woman left the restaurant, she yelled back at the diners, including Newton. According to Krey, she called out, "Mr. Newton, is that your wife or your mistress?"

Newton walked over and "spoke to her in profane and abusive language, with the main gist of the terms expressing his displeasure with her statement," Krey said. "She just stood there and told him, 'If you want to hit me, go ahead.' "

A telephone call Friday to Miller's home went unanswered.

After talking with Newton by phone Thursday, Fort Worth police decided to cite him for disorderly conduct-language, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, Krey said. It will be sent in the mail, he said.

Newton told reporters Friday that he regretted the incident, and characterized it as an autograph request that turned into a confrontation.

"It was an autograph situation that involved a very persistent person," he said. "I was in a restaurant and I was not signing autographs at the time. This person would not accept that. Our conversation got a little heated and I said something that was not right.

"I was surprised that the police became involved ... I am sorry that this has become a public matter and I apologize to the fans."

Newton, 35, is married with two children. In July, a woman with whom Newton had a lengthy relationship named him in a sexual-assault complaint. A grand jury later declined to indict Newton on the alleged offense.