A man who was tackled after running onto the field during Monday night’s NFL game filed a police report against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Wagner leveled the fan shortly before halftime of the game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, between the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN reported. The man, who ran across the field with what appeared to be a device emitting pink smoke, was thrown to the turf by Wagner and teammate Takkarist McKinley.
Members of the stadium’s security detail then escorted the man off the field, CNN reported.
“He looked like he wasn’t supposed to be on the field,” Wagner, 32, an 11-year NFL veteran who joined the Rams after 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, told reporters after the game. “I saw security was having a little problem -- so I helped him out.”
Santa Clara Police Department Lt. Cuong Phan said on Wednesday that the police report was filed on Tuesday afternoon, ESPN reported. Information will be limited because an investigation is ongoing, Phan said.
Animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere took responsibility, saying that the man was trying to raise awareness of “Right to Rescue,” CNN reported. The affiliate organization’s goal is to “help the whistleblowers facing prison time for exposing factory farm abuses and rescuing suffering animals.”
The protestor’s shirt read “righttorescue.com,” according to The Sporting News.
Wagner said Wednesday that he knows about the police report but added that he “can’t really focus on it,” ESPN reported.
“I’m more concerned about the security guard that was hurt trying to chase him,” Wagner said. “You just got to do what you got to do.”
A fan ran on the field with a pink smoke bomb... and Bobby Wagner came in and LEVELED him. pic.twitter.com/RRioBz727u
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 4, 2022
The protester was one of two individuals involved with the organization who attempted to run onto the field. The other person has stopped by security before she could reach the playing surface, The Sporting News reported.
Both were detained, cited for trespassing and released, according to the sports news website.
“Otherwise, they’re a bit beaten up but in good spirits,” Direct Action Everywhere said in a statement.
It is not the first time an NFL player has taken down a fan who decided to run onto the field.
During January’s playoff game in Kansas City, Missouri, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs took down a fan who ran onto the turf at Arrowhead Stadium, according to The Sporting News.
Stefon Diggs leveled a fan that came onto the field in the 4th quarter 🚜
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 24, 2022
(🎥: @carlfugate) pic.twitter.com/0JxLKcIuPM
Most famously -- or infamously -- the hardest tackle on a fan who ventured onto the field was delivered by Colts linebacker Mike Curtis at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
On Dec. 11, 1971, the fan ran down the line of scrimmage between plays during the fourth quarter of a game between the Colts and the Miami Dolphins. When the fan attempted to run off with the game ball, Curtis bolted across the line and leveled the intoxicated man.
“He wasn’t supposed to be on the field,” Curtis said after the game.
Mike Curtis upheld a “City Ordinance” when he tackled a fan who ran onto the field.#Colts#RIPMikeCurtis
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) April 20, 2020
@MikeCurtisHOFCm pic.twitter.com/oZdqGAqBYU
Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that he supported Wagner’s actions.
“I think that we all know where Bobby’s intentions were,” McVay said. “And I support Bobby Wagner. That’s where I’m at with that. I don’t think anybody will disagree.”
“There’s consequences for your actions,” Wagner later told reporters, according to ESPN.
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