Police say a man was stabbed after a Michigan Wolverines football game for yelling “Go Blue” and shouting negative comments about the Ohio State Buckeyes. Michigan had just lost to Ohio State 27-9 before the stabbing.
According to an Ann Arbor Police Department spokesperson, the stabbing took place in the immediate post-game traffic and crowd environment around Michigan Stadium. At first, police did not say whether the attack was related to the rivalry game. On Friday, MLive.com reported that it was.
Court records now reveal that Herbert Bertz, 46, has been charged with stabbing a 34-year-old Tekonsha man after he yelled “Go Blue” and “F— Ohio State.” The incident occurred in the parking lot of Pioneer High School, near the stadium. Fans often use the school’s parking lot during Wolverines’ games.
Ann Arbor police spokesperson Chris Page reported that the confrontation began as a verbal altercation, then escalated. Court records allege Bertz responded with expletives after the Tekonsha man and a friend shouted pro-Michigan and anti-Ohio State statements.
The alleged victim claims Bertz threw a bottle at the truck he and a friend were inside. Bertz denies this claim. That alleged incident then led to a physical altercation. That’s when Bertz allegedly stabbed the Michigan fan.
Michigan Daily reported Bertz fled on foot before being apprehended. He was charged with assault – bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
The accused Ohio State fan claims the stabbing was done in self-defense
“Bertz stated he was very scared, so he grabbed his knife out of his back pocket and stabbed (the Tekonsha man),” said Michael Ross, a detective for the Ann Arbor Police Department. “Bertz reiterated several times that it was two against one and he could not fight because of his shoulder injuries.”
An off-duty Detroit Police Department officer backed up the victims’ assertions. He said he witnessed the altercation and believed Bertz was the instigator.
The Michigan fan was taken to the University Hospital and had to undergo surgery after the incident, according to court records. He is reportedly expected to make a full recovery.
MLive.com previously reported that nearly 40 people were ejected from the stadium during the game, according to Melissa Overton, Deputy Chief of the university’s police.