Predators fan charged with 'possession of an instrument of a crime' after throwing catfish - SB Nation

Jacob Waddell, the man who threw the catfish during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, likely is getting more than he bargained for.

The Predators fan was ejected from the series opener against the Penguins moments into the second period after throwing Nashville’s rallying cry on the ice. On Tuesday, details emerged that Waddell was arrested and has been charged on three separate crimes.

Paul Rasmussen from 1020 KDKA Morning News in Pittsburgh had the story.

Jacob Waddell is charged with disorderly conduct, disrupting a meeting and possession of an instrument of a crime.

— Paul Rasmussen (@KDKAPRasmussen) May 30, 2017

Waddell reportedly brought the catfish from Nashville in a vacuum-sealed container that he put inside a pair of compression shorts. He then took the catfish out of his shorts in the bathroom at PPG Paints Arena before throwing it on the ice in the early stages of the second period. Waddell was ejected immediately for the act.

The three charges Waddell has been hit with are disorderly conduct, disrupting a meeting, and possession of an instrument of crime.

PPG Paints Arena does have a policy for fans throwing objects on the ice that states “guests not abiding by this Fan Courtesy Policy are subject to ejection from PPG Paints Arena and in some cases subject to criminal prosecution.”

Considering Waddell was ejected and missed two thirds of the game with tickets he likely paid a high price for, the charges seem somewhat over the top. Still, PPG Paints Arena — and by extension, the Penguins — have right to charge him as the rules on their website make it quite clear.

Who knows, however, if the charges will deter other Predators fans from throwing catfish on the ice.

Update 11:50 p.m.

Several Nashville council members have voiced their support for Waddell on Twitter, and are looking to get him pardoned, according to The Tennessean.

"This is fandom," O'Connell said. "If we're really going to escalate this to the point where people having some fun in a sports arena, and a little prank becomes a serious charge and carries with it a fine, maybe it's time to deescalate that and let fans be fans."

"This was something that was just done for fun, and for a charge to be brought here I think is overstepping just a little"

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Read Full Original Content Predators fan charged with 'possession of an instrument of a crime' after throwing catfish - SB Nation : http://ift.tt/2rRiEA5

Bagikan Berita Ini