The Detroit Lions have issued an indefinite ban to the spectator who used a laser pointer during Week 5’s contest between the Lions and Buffalo Bills. The individual will not be permitted to attend future events at Ford Field and has been issued a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct by the Detroit City Prosecutor’s Office.
NFL, Lions ban fan who used laser pointer
The NFL and the Lions were able to locate the fan who used a laser pointer at the game on Sunday and he has been banned from future games.
Joe Sargent
In addition, the Lions decided to punish the season ticket holder who provided the spectator with the ticket by revoking the remainder of his 2014 season tickets, via the Lions website:
“Our guest behavior expectations for all Ford Field events are very high,” Lions team President Tom Lewand stated. “Additionally, this occurrence was unique in that it could have affected the integrity of the game and more importantly could have jeopardized player safety.
Ford Field security and operations staffs worked in conjunction with team security, NFL security and Detroit Police on the matter.
“All agencies involved in the investigation of this incident did an exemplary job bringing this issue to an appropriate conclusion.”
The NFL began an investigation of the incident, when someone allegedly shined a laser pointer at Bills players during Buffalo's 17-14 win over the Lions.
Quarterback Kyle Orton and holder Colton Schmidt said they had a laser directed at them at various times during the game. Schmidt said he had the laser pointed at him while holding on a 50-yard field goal attempt that Dan Carpenter missed in the third quarter. This photo shows the play (10:02 left in the fourth quarter) when Orton claimed he was hit with a laser pointer.
The Lions issued a statement Sunday night saying security officials were unable to find anyone using a laser at the game. However, some fans thought they identified the person responsible after sharing on social media screen shots of tweets bragging about the incident. The Twitter account was later deactivated.
All four major pro sports leagues ban the use of laser pointers at their facilities, and fans caught using them can be ejected. They are also subject to arrest, though Detroit police spokesman Sgt. Michael Woody said that generally laser pointers and their use aren’t illegal.
The Lions are on the road in Week 6 at the Minnesota Vikings before returning home on Oct. 19 to host the New Orleans Saints.
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