The Arlington Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred during the Dallas Cowboys-Carolina Panthers game on Thanksgiving Day in which a Panthers fan named John Small was seen getting choked out by a stadium security guard, as the video became viral over the weekend, with the cops looking into possible assault.
Small filed a police report on Monday and insists that he did nothing wrong, voicing support from nearby fans who saw the entire thing go down as other security members escorted the Panthers fan from the stands and up the steps.
Initial reports said that Small was being “disruptive,” which caused him to get the attention of security, but, really, was a full headlock necessary even if that were the case?
Small talked to Time Warner Cable News about his side of the story, having this to say:
“At several points during that short minute and a half, I did fear for my life and especially just feared for my mother, just being put in harm’s way like that,” said Small.
“It had been exactly a year since my dad passed away, and we wanted to do something special between the family to keep that off of our mind for the holiday,” said Small. “It was something new, and even though it ended in a tragic way, we still had a great time and made the best of the trip.”
“They just told me upfront that there had been a complaint filed by a fan and that they would not tell me who filed the complaint and they wouldn’t tell me what the complaint was.”
“I sort of just swatted the guys’ hands off of me, because he was grabbing my jersey,” said Small. “And then I was just pushed and this whole altercation started.”
“It’s an absolutely terrifying thing to have to go through. I would really love an apology from the Dallas Cowboys organization, and I would say that’s the very least I would accept.”
One never knows what really happens in cases like this when opposing fans go into rival territory, but, from the video, it sure looks like the security guard was being a little too aggressive with Small, so stay tuned for updates as this unfolds.
[H/T TMZ Sports, Time Warner Cable News]