About Anna Mohr

Anna studied government and politics at St. John's University and currently works as a paralegal based in New York City. She became involved in the fight against violence in early 2012, after her brother James became the victim of a brutal beating following a New York Jets game. Anna is a lifelong Mets and Jets fan, and enjoys attending games with her brothers and close friends. She also enjoys writing, and hopes that through her contributions and continued work with FAV people may once again feel safe in the stands.

Tennessee State University Quarterback Michael German Teams up with Fans Against Violence

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Anna Mohr

” Real fans let their team do the fighting in between the whistle. Stop fan violence!” ~Michael German

Fans Against Violence is excited to welcome our newest and first collegiate supporter, Michael German of Tennessee State University. Michael is the starting quarterback for the Tigers, and in addition to being a star athlete he is a staunch supporter of Fans Against Violence and our mission to ensure safety in the stands.

Michael is a Florida native, and began his football career at a very young age. Early on it became evident to his family and coaches that he was a natural. He earned the Most Valuable Player award in his freshman and junior years, two of his many achievements during his tenure at Blanche Ely High School. He was recruited by Tennessee State and made his debut in the 2011 season. During his rookie year, Michael completed 140 passes for 1,899 yards and led his team with 12 touchdowns. He garnered Freshman of the Year honors and was chosen to the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) New-Comer Team. Michael is currently in his sophomore year at Tennessee State, and has a very bright and promising future ahead of him.

Our athlete supporters shine light on the problem of fan violence from a different perspective. Michael, like many athletes, must concern himself with his family and fans’ safety while trying to play his game. While his focus should be on football, Michael worries about his devoted parents, who attend almost every one of his games. Violence is not restricted to the professional level, and he realizes the need to raise awareness everywhere, from little leagues to the NFL. We are grateful for his support and wish him the best of luck this 2012 season!

Anti-Fan Violence “Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act” Passes CA Senate

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Anna Mohr

California is a signature away from passing legislation in an attempt to solve the growing problem of violence at sporting events- a small victory in the ongoing crusade to bring peace to fans statewide.

AB 2464, proposed by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, landed on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk on Tuesday, and is expected to be signed within the next two weeks. It will mandate owners of all sports facilities to post notices containing the telephone number and text message code to dial in the event an incident arises which calls for security to be summoned. Further, these notices must be strategically placed in locations visible to a majority of spectators in seating areas, parking lots located on the complex premises and at all points of entry.

Gatto introduced this bill back in February, in response to the outrageous number of violent acts reported at sporting events statewide. After being told by some of his constituents that they are concerned for their safety at stadiums and arenas, Gatto decided to take action. The passage of this bill, he hopes, will encourage people to alert authorities before situations escalate and assuage the fear that many have developed to attend games and matches.

We’re optimistic that this law will go into effect, and hopeful that California blazes a trail for other states to follow. As citizens and fans, we are entitled to protection and should not be shy about asking our politicians to ensure that we receive it at all times, including during sporting events. Thank you to the citizens of California, and to Assemblyman Gatto, for refusing to sit on the sideline while this vicious conduct continues. We admire their efforts and hope they inspire more people to join the cause.

Titans WR O.J. Murdock Tragic Suicide – Dies at Age 25

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Anna Mohr

It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of Orenthal James “O.J.” Murdock, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. Murdock died Monday, July 30, 2012 in front of his alma mater, Middleton High School, in Tampa Bay, Florida as the result of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was 25 years old.

Titans WR O.J. Murdock

We must remember that suicide is also an act of violence- upon oneself. In fact, approximately 50% of deaths due to violence per year are attributed to suicide. While all suicides can not be prevented, we can work, as a community, to minimize them, just as we strive to assuage the violence to which fans subject one another in the stands.

As football fans, advocates against violence and human beings, our deepest condolences are extended to the Murdock family, the Tennessee Titans organization and Mr. Murdock’s fans. He displayed immense talent and potential during his brief life, and he will be missed by many.

Incident After Dodgers’ Game Highlights Need for Fans to be Proactive in Eliminating Violence at Sporting Events

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Anna Mohr

It’s another sad day for baseball fans and compassionate human beings alike as news has broken that yet another person has become the victim of violence following a Los Angeles Dodgers’ game over the weekend. The victim, whose name has not been released, was driving one of the vehicles involved in a fender bender while exiting the parking lot of Dodger Stadium. According to reports, the victim was pulled from his car and held down by three men, assumed to have been riding in a third vehicle, and was repeatedly hit and kicked by the driver of the other car involved in the accident.

This April 10, 2012 file photo shows Los Angeles Police mounted patrol officers Steve Cooper, left, aboard Jimbo and Roger Johnson on Ranger watching Dodger fans arrive for the home opener baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Stadium security and off-duty uniformed police officers working for the Dodgers responded to the scene quickly and arrested the four men. The victim, along with his pregnant passenger, was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Meanwhile, the assailants are, as of 12:45 p.m. PT today, still in custody, according to the LAPD and the Los Angeles County Jail. They are awaiting arraignment and are expected to be formally charged with assault with a deadly weapon. (In this instance, given the position of the victim and the number of attackers, feet and hands are considered “deadly weapons.”)

Kudos to the Dodgers and to the City of Los Angeles. Subsequent to the brutal attack on Bryan Stow at their stadium a little over a year ago, the Dodgers’ organization has taken steps in the right direction in an attempt to minimize attacks on their guests as well as apprehend spectators found to be in violation of city law and/or stadium policy. They are one of the few organizations who are permitted to hire off-duty LAPD officers to patrol their premises, in uniform. In addition, they hire undercover officers donning rival team jerseys to be present at every home game. Yet still, the violence continues.

Police and management can only do so much to combat this problem. In this most recent case, they responded as quickly as they were able, an undisputed claim. But they’re only human. Unless an officer happens to be standing in the middle of a brawl (and let’s face it, most people possess the minimal amount of common sense necessary to tell you not to break the law in plain view of a cop or security guard), he/she can only reach the victim as quickly as his/her legs can move. And while surveillance cameras may help, alerting authorities when a potentially dangerous situation arises and often used as evidence ex-post-facto, they are still just devices that can neither prevent nor halt a physical altercation.

The rest is up to us, the fans. It is up to us to absolutely insist upon acceptable behavior from our fellow game-goers. It is up to us to take responsibility for our own actions, and to think before we commit them. It only takes one decision and split seconds to change a life, many lives, including your own. Let’s start making the right ones. Indifference changes nothing. Demand concern. Demand outrage. Demand change.

Could Intentional Violence on the Field Lead to More Violence in the Stands?

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Anna Mohr

There’s nothing like intentionally pelting an opponent with a 93-mile per hour fastball to heat up an already sticky sports rivalry. And that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, when Phillies’ pitcher Cole Hamels plunked Nationals’ outfielder Bryce Harper in the back with a pitch in the first inning. Hamels later admitted, with no apology, that he threw to hit, and his actions were simply “old school” protocol. He was slapped with a five game suspension and fined by MLB. The punishment seems arbitrary, at best, and left many wondering, “Is it enough?”

I’ve often asked myself why violence on a baseball field, basketball court or any other playing ground is treated any differently than the violence that occurs on the streets, amongst “regular” civilians. Why is Cole Hamels any different from the average Joe who picks up a hard object and throws it in the direct path of another human being? Why do we abhor the common assailant, yet feel a sense of allegiance to a member of our favored team who, essentially, is guilty of the same offense?

All I have deduced from contemplation of such questions is because we, as fans, allow it. We somehow interpret such behavior as the honorable defense of our team, our fan base and our hometown. We justify such acts by trying to reason that sports is a perpetual effort towards retaliation, and that people deserve to be mistreated simply because they support a team other than ours. It’s a vicious cycle when treated with such gravity and we, as fans, have it in our power to put an end to it.

Whether you’re a Nationals’ fan, a Phillies’ fan, a fan of a different team, or not a baseball fan at all, please do not condone Sunday’s events. Do not allow Hamels’ poor judgment to escalate the problem of uncivil, unfriendly rivalry. Keep in mind that his conduct not only could have resulted in the serious injury of an up-and-coming 19-year old who was just trying to do his job, but will likely create more hostility amongst the two organizations and their supporters. And this is something we at FAV desperately want to prevent.

While ultimately the Phillies defeated the Nationals 9-3, Bryce Harper managed to steal home after he was hit by Hamels’ pitch, a feat in its own right. When asked to comment about the incident, Harper simply said, “Hamels threw a great game tonight.” Perhaps these “old school” players can learn a thing or two about good sportsmanship and class from these young rookies.