LEXINGTON, Ky. – One Kentucky football player and one former player have filed separate police reports about recent thefts in which they say their Music City Bowl rings were taken, but it was unclear yesterday whether the incidents are related.

Anthony Stewart, a junior receiver, reported Sunday that his Lexington home was burglarized over the weekend while the Wildcats were on the road against Arkansas.

There was evidence of forced entry into the home, including interior and exterior damage, and the thief took several items, Stewart said in his police report. Among them was the ring Stewart and his teammates received after winning last year’s Music City Bowl.

The other incident was reported last week by former player Sylvester Miller, who lives several miles away from Stewart, Lexington police Sgt. Jody Stowers said. Miller reported he was missing two of his rings – one from the 1999 Music City Bowl, another commemorating the 2002 season when Kentucky wasn’t eligible for a bowl.

Stowers said there was no evidence of forced entry at Miller’s house and he wasn’t sure exactly when the theft occurred.

“There’s a possibility they’re not connected,” Stowers said.

Stewart attended practice yesterday but didn’t talk with the media. Coach Rich Brooks said it was a private matter that police are handling.

“That’s too bad because it’s something they worked hard to earn and will remember for a long time,” Brooks said.

The 1999 and 2006 seasons are the last two times the Wildcats have appeared in postseason play. They lost to Syracuse in 1999 and defeated Clemson last year – the team’s first bowl victory in 22 years.