NFL -- Flight Attendant Sueing Cowboys

DALLAS - The Dallas Cowboys and American Airlines have conspired to allow only young female flight attendants to work on the team's charters to road games, a male attendant contends in a lawsuit filed in federal court.

Jay Mauk, an 11-year veteran of American, claims the team and the airline have discriminated against males, gay males and females over the age of 45.

He's seeking unspecified damages and the chance to work the flights, which are coveted assignments because attendants receive perks such as bonus pay and tickets to the game to which they're flying.

American spokeswoman Lauren Dailey refuted Mauk's claim by saying males have worked Cowboy charters as recently as last season.

"There have been other male flight attendants assigned to Cowboys charters," she said. "They've already gone back and checked."

Dailey said the charter attendants usually are chosen from the domestic pool and Mauk is in the international group. She added that the airline has not seen a written request from him to work the flights. Mauk said he was told male attendants were not used on Cowboy charters.

Kicks for charity

After yesterday's practice, the New York Jets played soccer to enjoy a few laughs and raise money for charity. Fledgling placekicker Tony Meola, the goalkeeper on the U.S. World Cup team, faced a barrage of penalty shots from teammates, coaches and staff members.

Meola agreed to pay $50, matching $50 from quarterback Boomer Esiason, for every goal he allowed. Conversely, any player who missed had to make a donation to charity.

"(Coach) Pete (Carroll) and Boomer (Esiason) organized it without my knowledge, and I got suckered into footing half the bill," Meola said with a smile.

Meola faced 20 shots, allowing only one goal - a booming shot into the upper-left corner by running back Anthony Johnson, who was an all-star soccer player in high school. The team raised $2,535 for Esiason's Hero's Foundation, which raises money for cystic fibrosis.

Meola was tested only twice, including one diving stop on a shot by kicker Nick Lowery.

Brunell battles for No. 2

The Green Bay Packers probably will flip-flop their backup quarterbacks for their final two exhibition games and decide after the finale who will be No. 2.

Ty Detmer and former Washington star Mark Brunell are in a close battle to back up Brett Favre. Detmer will be No. 2 today against New Orleans.

S. Francisco 30, S. Diego 24

SAN DIEGO - Third-stringer Bill Musgrave threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Darrick Owens with 1:40 left to rally San Francisco over San Diego.

The 49ers (2-1) scored 14 points in the last 15:05, including two field goals by rookie Doug Brien. Stan Humphries threw two touchdown passes for the Chargers (0-4).

N.E. 27, Washington 17

FOXBORO, Mass. - New England, continuing to turn turnovers into touchdowns, scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to beat Washington to improve to 3-0.

Quarterback Heath Shuler, the third pick in this spring's draft, played most of the second half for the Redskins (0-3). Playing against New England's first-string defense for much of his stint, Shuler completed 5 of 8 passes for 38 yards and led Washington to a field goal.

Injuries

-- Houston running back Gary Brown sprained his left ankle for the second time this week and may not return until the season opener Sept. 4 at Indianapolis.

-- Running back Greg Hill, Kansas City's No. 1 draft choice from Texas A&M, apparently escaped serious injury after landing on his back during yesterday's practice.

-- Linebacker Trev Alberts, the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft from Nebraska, will have surgery Thursday for his dislocated right elbow and is expected to miss the entire season.

Notes

-- Left guard Bruce Kozerski and right tackle Joe Walter of Cincinnati received raises for this season and contract extensions for 1995.

-- Kicker David Treadwell signed with Pittsburgh.

-- Free agent Deion Sanders will meet with Miami Coach Don Shula tomorrow before attending the team's exhibition game against Tampa Bay.

Compiled from Associated Press, Knight-Ridder Newspapers and Newsday.