Florham Park, N.J. ? New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes believes a flight attendant singled him out last month because he was a former Pittsburgh Steelers player.

“I just felt I was being scrutinized just for who I am,” said Holmes, speaking publicly Thursday for the first time about the incident.

Authorities at Pittsburgh International Airport filed a report after an unidentified flight attendant claimed Holmes failed to follow regulations by not turning off his iPod as the plane was landing. Police questioned him at the gate, but he was not arrested or charged.

AUTO RACING

Kanaan fastest at practice

Indianapolis — Tony Kanaan ran a fast lap of 226.775 mph Thursday before rain ended Indianapolis 500 practice about 45 minutes early. Paul Tracy had the second-fastest lap at 226.322 mph, Hideki Mutoh was third at 226.230, and Marco Andretti was fourth at 226.108. Scott Dixon had the fastest lap the previous two days, but was just the 13th-fastest on Thursday.

CYCLING

Armstrong crashes

Visalia, Calif. — Lance Armstrong crashed during the Tour of California on Thursday, sending him to the hospital for precautionary X-rays. Michael Rogers of Australia moved into the overall lead with his second-place finish in the 121.5-mile fifth stage that ran from Visalia to Bakersfield. Dave Zabriskie was third in the stage and second overall.

Landis accuses Armstrong

Lance Armstrong has denied allegations made by disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis, who has admitted to systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs and also accused the seven-time Tour de France champion of doping.

Armstrong says, “It’s our word against his word. I like our word.”

He spoke Thursday in Visalia, Calif., before the fifth stage of the Tour of California.

GOLF

Day tied for Nelson lead

Irving, Texas — Jason Day birdied four of his first six holes on his way to a 4-under 66 for a share of the first-round lead at the Byron Nelson Championship when play was suspended late Thursday. Joe Durant finished with an eagle and a birdie to match Day at 66. Steve Elkington, Hunter Mahan and Jarrod Lyle were still on the course with scores of 4-under.

Wie advances at Sybase

Gladstone, N.J. — Michelle Wie survived a tight opening match against Stacy Prammanasudh on Thursday in the Sybase Match Play Championship, taking the lead with a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th and winning 2-up with a conceded birdie on 18. The eighth-seeded Wie will face Hee Young Park, a 19-hole winner over Ji Young Oh, in the second round today at Hamilton Farm.

Romo reaches sectional

Carrollton, Texas — Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is a step closer to competing in the U.S. Open golf tournament. Romo was among seven golfers who moved on to the sectional round following a round at The Honors Club of Dallas. Romo shot a 2-under 69, which put him in a four-man playoff for three spots. Romo advances to a 36-hole qualifier June 7 at The Woodlands. If he’s among the top finishers there, he would have a spot in the season’s second major tournament June 17-20 at Pebble Beach.

NBA

Ref suspended for incident

New York — Referee Joe DeRosa has been suspended without pay for throwing a ball at a fan during halftime of an NBA playoff game in Orlando. DeRosa will miss the next game he would have been scheduled to work.

At halftime of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals between Orlando and Boston, DeRosa was walking to the scorer’s table to get the warm-up jackets for his crew.

A fan behind the table approached DeRosa, gesturing with his arms and appearing to be shouting at the veteran official. DeRosa flipped the game ball to the fan, who tossed it back.