sport news NFL fans SLAM Browns' plans to ban supporter who threw plastic bottle at owner ... trends now
Social media exploded at a supposed hypocrisy of the Browns franchise disciplining a fan for throwing a plastic bottle at owner Jimmy Haslam, while trading for -- and signing -- ex-Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson to a fully-guaranteed, five-year $230million deal.
Cleveland are reportedly set to ban a fan, who has since been detained, for throwing a bottle at team owner Jimmy Haslam on Sunday as the Browns lost 31-30 to the New York Jets.
While Cleveland traded for Watson this offseason before giving him the fully-guaranteed deal notwithstanding 24 civil suits where he was accused of sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
Watson has settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits filed by the women, who accused him of everything from indecent exposure to claims of forced oral sex.
Haslam was seen exiting the field toward the player's tunnel when an object was thrown at, and hit, the owner.
According to police documentation, reported by TMZ, Jeffrey Miller was arrested for allegedly throwing the bottle at Haslam.
Per the report, police were able to identify Miller as the perpetrator before he left the stadium although he 'didn't stop after authorities attempted to detain him.'
Police eventually escorted Miller to a 'police room' where he reportedly admitted the bottle 'never hit the field.'
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Cleveland Police detained a Rocky River, OH. man who 'appeared to be intoxicated' upon leaving FirstEnergy Stadium.
Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam was hit by a plastic bottle prior to his team's loss in Week 2
He was summarily booked on three misdemeanor charges; disorderly conduct, assault and failure to comply with a lawful order.
Pelissero released a video showing the incident, in which Haslam seemed to get hit in the thigh region, and said Cleveland 'have identified and plan to ban' the spectator.
Replying to Tom Pelissero, one user wrote 'sounds like the fan was remorseful and should be given lifelong season tickets free of charge or get 230 mill dollars [sic] from haslam since that seems to be his thing an [sic] all.'
The Browns released a statement Tuesday, which read: 'Fan, player and staff safety is the top priority in our building and behavior that puts others in danger will not be tolerated.'
'Luckily no one was harmed in this incident and as a standard practice, we've cooperated with law enforcement authorities and security video footage of the object being thrown is in the appropriate hands. We will have no further comment on this matter.'
Twitter users took their opportunity to remind the Browns franchise of the lucrative contract they gave Watson.
The former Houston quarterback was handed an 11-game suspension and $5m fine last month.
Haslam (pictured left of center) was initially startled before pointing to the alleged perpetrator
'I thought Jimmy Haslam was all about second chances and people improving themselves? If anything he should be invited to join Haslam in the owners [sic] box next week, where he'll receive $230 million of season ticket vouchers
