Sgt John
Sith Lord of T&A
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The executive director of LaDainian Tomlinson's "Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation" said he will send an autographed Tomlinson jersey or ball to the 8-year-old New York Jets fan who was reportedly tackled by a drunken Browns fan in the parking lot of Cleveland Browns Stadium after the Jets' 26-20 overtime win on Sunday.
Shannon Brazzell, the executive director of Tomlinson's foundation, said he'd hoped Tomlinson could meet the 8-year-old and his family after Sunday's Jets-Texans game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
The Jets offered to fly the family to New Jersey to watch a game in a luxury suite at the New Meadowlands Stadium and receive autographed memorabilia from coach Rex Ryan and players. But the child's family turned down the offer.
So Brazzell hopes to do the next best thing by sending autographed gear to the 8-year-old.
"We just want to send him something to brighten his spirits," Brazzell said.
A television station in Cleveland, quoting the boy's mother, reported that the fan and his father, who were dressed in Jets gear, were harassed after the game on Sunday.
The mother, identified only as Danielle by ABC affiliate WEWS because she didn't want to reveal her last name, said fans threw food at the boy and his father after the game.
She said her son was then tackled in the parking lot.
"As [my husband] was walking, holding my son's hand, a guy from behind tackled him. A drunken Browns fan tackled him and pulled him out of his dad's hand. He was on the ground crying," Danielle said, according to the station.
Ian Begley is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.
Shannon Brazzell, the executive director of Tomlinson's foundation, said he'd hoped Tomlinson could meet the 8-year-old and his family after Sunday's Jets-Texans game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
The Jets offered to fly the family to New Jersey to watch a game in a luxury suite at the New Meadowlands Stadium and receive autographed memorabilia from coach Rex Ryan and players. But the child's family turned down the offer.
So Brazzell hopes to do the next best thing by sending autographed gear to the 8-year-old.
"We just want to send him something to brighten his spirits," Brazzell said.
A television station in Cleveland, quoting the boy's mother, reported that the fan and his father, who were dressed in Jets gear, were harassed after the game on Sunday.
The mother, identified only as Danielle by ABC affiliate WEWS because she didn't want to reveal her last name, said fans threw food at the boy and his father after the game.
She said her son was then tackled in the parking lot.
"As [my husband] was walking, holding my son's hand, a guy from behind tackled him. A drunken Browns fan tackled him and pulled him out of his dad's hand. He was on the ground crying," Danielle said, according to the station.
Ian Begley is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.
