Posted on 10/31/2005 10:48:16 PM PST by quietolong
Bengals Fan Who Ran On Field Pleads Not Guilty
Reported by: Tom McKee
Web produced by:
Liz Foreman, Mark Sickmiller
Photographed by: 9News
First posted: 10/31/2005 9:12:38 AM
Last updated: 10/31/2005 6:02:59 PM
A Mt. Washington man is facing 30 days in jail and a $250 fine for the stunt he pulled at the end of Sunday's Bengals game.
With 25 seconds left, Greg Gall, 31, jumped from the stands, ran onto the field and grabbed the football from Green Bay's Brett Favre.
Gameplay was stopped and security tackled Gall as he neared the end-zone.
On Monday, Gall pleaded not guilty to charges of resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct via intoxication. He was released on his own recognizance.
He wouldn't talk to 9News on camera, but he said through a closed door he's thankful no one was hurt.
Gall's neighbors said they were surprised and even a little upset by the incident.
"He's usually really quiet around here. He never really mingles or anything," said Matt Niehaus.
"I thought it was not a very good thing to do because he interrupted a game. What if Green Bay could have came back on that play and won?" said Daniel Osborne.
On Sunday, Coach Marvin Lewis was asked if the incident broke his team's concentration.
"I think it broke theirs. It was good. I'll slip him $20 later," joked Lewis.
Stadium officials had their opinion on what happened.
"I think it's a case of somebody just taking somebody up on a bet and going out on the field doing what they did," said stadium manager Eric Brown.
There's a bill in the Ohio Legislature that would create a "field intrusion" fine of $1,000.
Security changes at Paul Brown Stadium?
Stadium managers have called a security summit for Thursday morning, following Gall's mad dash.
Right now, about 450 people handle security outside and in the seats on game days.
There are far fewer on the field -- 15 from a firm called Contemporary Services, three Cincinnati Police officers and three Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies.
Their job is to look into the stands with their backs to the field.
"I'm thinking we will ask the guy occasionally to look towards the other side of the stadium where they're focused on their side to do some cross checking occasionally so that they can keep an eye on activity," said Brown.
After joking about the incident after Sunday's win, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis got serious about the security threat on Monday.
"It's not a good thing. Our people that handle security feel very badly about it and we'll take steps to make sure that sort of thing never happens again at Paul Brown Stadium," he said.
I don't know, What do you think?
No sir Judge, That's not me
Watching the game. It was one of those. “What the heck was that”
Does that count as an interception. Did they let him keep the ball?
On the other side of the coin, It gave Green Bay one more time out.
The DA will bring in John Madden to make the case on the telestrator.
Not all stupid actions merit jail time. Let him off with a LOT of community service.
Where's Terry Tate when you need him?
If he didn't do it nekkid he's a wuss.
Not really. I'm a Packer fan. We have the dumbest coach in the world in Fred Flintstone, alias Mike Sherman. They could have given him a touchdown and he would throw it back.
Not guilty? LOL!
Favre should be convicted too for his decision two plays later to try a fake spike when nobody else was on the same page.
Of course he's not guilty. He was doing a legitimite protest against Bush and his illegal war for oil. He's already doomed for going up against Karl Rove's shock troops. He'll never be seen again because he'll be sent to Gitmo!! Thats where all the disenters against Adolph 'Zionist' Bush go.
IT'S ALL BUSH'S FAULT!!!!!
(sarcasm off)
Doesn't say much about stadium security in Cincinnati. I know it's difficult to keep all the drunks at bay, but this doesn't look good.
Yes, your honor, it was not my fault. The beer man didn't cut me off at 2. I cannot be held responsible for what happens beyond there.
No way, Cheeseheads! We Vikings fans have the dumbest coach! ;-)
http://www.channelcincinnati.com/sports/5209441/detail.html
and here:
This incident was almost as funny as when the player from the Pittsburgh Pirates knocked over the sausage mascots during a baseball game in Milwaukee a couple summers ago.
Saw the replay last night. Odd...
"You shouldn't have hit him so hard," one of the other players said.
"He didn't belond on the field," he replied.
LOL.
Somebody got Burger King's number. . .I got a great idea for their next King ad.
Their job is to look into the stands with their backs to the field.
That has to rank as one of the worst jobs in the world - being at field level of an NFL game and not allowed to watch.
I expect this punk's defense will be based on the fact that Favre was just giving the ball away to anyone who asked for it Sunday.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.