Two Year Anniversary of the Attack on Giants Fan Bryan Stow – Can Good Come From Such a Horrilbe Incident?

Posted on March 31, 2013 by John Doublin

Two years ago today the sports community was forever changed when San Francisco Giants’ fan, Bryan Stow, nearly paid the ultimate price for his team loyalty. Stow traveled the 300 miles to cheer for his beloved Giants at the home of their rival, and was beaten almost to death in the parking lot of a Los Angeles Dodgers’ home game leaving him with severe brain injury.

This incident brought the issue of fan violence to the forefront, prompting the creation of FansAgainstViolence.org. All of a sudden, fan violence was a topic of conversation on a national level. Major news outlets, such as CNN, FoxNews, and MSNBC were all talking about the violence in the stands.

Bryan Stow and Family

Since that day, Mr. Stow has been slowly recovering from his injuries, though a full recovery is not likely, as his injuries were numerous and severe. Mr. Stow’s family has since started a website, which updates well-wishers and fans of his current condition, along with improvements and changes in his condition.

So, what does all of this mean? What should we take away from this tragic and senseless act of violence? Is there a “silver lining?” Those questions are difficult to answer.

One way to look at the result of this terrible incident is that the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and the NCAA have all taken steps to protect fans in the stands. There are emergency security text code numbers fans can use to report fights and disturbances, stadiums have increased security and, most importantly, most fans are no longer tolerant of people such as those men who attacked Mr. Stow. Decent people in stadiums all across the country, and the world, are reporting violence in the stands more readily. This incident also prompted California legislation, the Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto(D-Los Angeles) which requires all professional sports venues in California to have a Security Text Code program in place. That, in and of itself, should be counted as a minor victory.

It’s sad that it took the near death of a fan to bring this problem to the forefront of conversation, but as Mr. Stow and his family attempt to heal and return to some sense of a normal life, they can take solace in the fact that, although it came in the wake of such a horrific event in their lives, the likelihood of this happening to someone else in the future is greatly diminished due to his story.

Fans Against Violence continues to support Mr. Stow and his family as they live through this tragedy. As always, we send our well-wishes and prayers to the Stow family. FAV will continue to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again.

To see ways you can help or get involved with FAV, please visit our Get Involved page.
If you would like to donate to Bryan Stows family directly, you can visit our Donate to Bryan Stow page.

We cannot change things on our own, but by raising awareness and offering suggestions to prevent this sort of thing, through the support of fans, teams and leagues, we will be able to make a difference in “Taking Back the Stands!”

What Can Sports Fans do to Take a More Proactive Approach Against Violence?

Posted on May 21, 2012 by FAV

We have had a lot of questions and comments in regards to our posting challenging fans to step up and take a more proactive approach in ending fan violence. Many of you have responded asking what it is you can do.

First and foremost, if you see something escalating, please do not try to get involved. We would never want anyone to put themselves or their family in danger. The best thing you can do is use the Game Day Security Hotlines and Text code to alert security to the issue. All calls are anonymous, so there is no need to be concerned about retaliation.

Although it is important that the venues do everything they can to ensure the fans safety, we as fans have to take on some of the responsibility. Along with the Game Day Security Hotlines and Text code we have also put together a list of Game Day Safety Tips. Please read them. Some of the tips may seem obvious but they are all important.

Lastly, with all of the recent incidents and all of the media attention to the issue of Fan Violence, many fans are afraid and on edge when attending a game. Remember be kind and respectful to all fans, no matter what team they are rooting for. At the end of the day, we are all fans of the sport. The smallest gesture of saying “hi” or “welcome to our stadium” to an opposing fan can make the largest impact!

Vicious Attack on NY Jets Fan: Yet Another Senseless Act of Fan Violence in 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by kcdermody

A 23-year-old P.E. teacher became yet another victim of a vicious attack after a sporting event. After the game between the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, December 11, James Mohr, a die-hard Jets fan was jumped and brutally beaten by seven men, with at least one wearing a Chiefs’ jersey. Prior to the violent attack, the group of thugs was said to be drunk and upset after their team lost to New York. Mohr was walking through the parking lot at the stadium, when one of the attackers shouted, “F**k New York,” and “You all deserved what happened on 9/11!”

James Mohr - Before and after brutal attack

Mohr’s sister, Anna, said her brother took offense, especially to the 9/11 reference as their other brother is a fireman, and their father is a retired FDNY. She remarked, “He was shocked anyone would actually say something like that.”

The end result was the savage and senseless beating to Mohr. The lifelong Jets fan suffered a fractured jaw, cheekbone and eye socket in the beatdown, and also has bleeding on the brain. The victim has gone through hours of surgery to repair his shattered face and is said to be just barely hanging on.

Unfortunately, acts of violence seem to be occurring more frequently, and though football can be a dangerous game for the players on the field, the parking lot at stadiums is becoming a far more dangerous place for fans.

In March, a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was beaten so badly he suffered serious brain damage when his skull was fractured. He was in a coma for months and has only recently been able to move just slightly.

During the preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, there were several shootings that took place, and during the game, a 26-year old man was beaten in the Candlestick Park bathroom.

While I’m not certain what the best solution to the problem is, but the banning of alcohol may eventually have to become a reality at sporting events. Angry and disappointed fans and alcohol are just not a good mix, and though it would be sad to have to punish everyone for the few who become violent criminals, is it worth even just one fan’s life to continue to make it readily available?

Giants Host Dodgers for 3-Game Series on Heels of ‘Strike Out the Violence’

Posted on September 9, 2011 by FAV

Tonight the San Francisco Giants host the Los Angeles Dodgers for their first of a three game series at AT&T Ballpark. This, one of the most heated rivalries in baseball, is still healing from the brutal beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodgers Stadium earlier this year. Bryan remains in critical condition more than five months after the incident.

Fans Against Violence applauds the San Francisco Giants for their ongoing efforts to curb violence with their 10th Annual ‘Strike Out the Violence’ Day on September 3rd.

We encourage all fans attending this series to continue the message of ‘Strike Out the Violence’ and conduct themselves with sportsmanship and respect of all fans in attendance. Your example is needed as we move forward with our campaign.

Have a fantastic weekend at the ballpark!

Assemblyman Gatto Proposes California Professional Sports Teams Pay Informants

Posted on September 5, 2011 by FAV

Assemblyman Mike Gatto out of Los Angeles is proposing legislation that would require each California professional sports franchise to contribute $50K to a violent offenders reward fund. He would like to use the fund to reward private citizens for assisting authorities identify and apprehend offenders of violent acts at sporting events.

Gatto sits on the California State Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media Committee, and will use a special proceeding to explore his proposal. You can view an interview with Mike Gatto on his proposal here.

Bryan Stow, a Giants fan who was critically beaten by two Dodger fans at Dodger Stadium in March 2011.

As many hypothesize as to why such high profile incidents have occurred recently (the Bryan Stow beating in Los Angeles and the Shooting at Candlestick Park), Gatto cites a cultural increase in violence, an escalation in sports fanatics, as well as alcohol consumption and insufficient security.

Gatto was born in 1974. From his 23rd birthday on, California had experience a sub-7% unemployment rate. That is, until 2008 when it creeped beyond. The UE rate has now been hovering around 12% for the last three years. Many of us Californians have not seen this level of financial desperation in our lifetime.

Elevated violent outbursts around events that thrive on competition and rivalry, while personal and emotional frustration is at an all time high seem to have a logical correlation.

Contradicting Gatto’s claim, violence crimes in California have fallen incrementally since 2006. Homicides are at a 44 year low, and other violent crimes are down more than 6% from 2009.

Alcohol sales at sporting events have become more and more restricted. When Gatto was a boy, beer vendors roamed the stands. Alcohol sales are now sold only at the vendor booth, with limits on quantities and sales end far before the game does.

Many venues have increased security presence both in their facility and in adjacent parking lots. They have encouraged interaction with fans, implemented text and anonymous calling options to report subjects of concern.

Gatto himself acknowledges that the attackers of Bryan Stow were identified through citizen participation without a reward fund.

As fans, we more than anyone understand the desire to keep our stands safe. Where that money could better be used, however, might be in helping Californians find jobs. Let the teams, and their home facilities, act responsibly with autonomy from the state, and encouragement from their leagues. Most of all, let them listen to those of us who patron their teams.