Two Fans Lose Season Tickets
Two people who threw snowballs from the stands after Denver's game against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 22 have had their season tickets revoked for the final three home games of the year.
"The Denver Broncos take game behavior very seriously," said Joe Ellis, the team's vice president of business operations. "The two individuals were clearly identified, and their conduct endangered other spectators at the game."
Eight people were arrested and 13 others cited for misdemeanor assault and throwing objects after Denver's 27-21 overtime victory over Oakland.
Oakland offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy was hit in the face with a snowball and went into the stands to confront his assailant. Kennedy threw a punch but was not cited by police.
Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson was cited after throwing a snowball back into the stands and hitting a woman in the face.
Ellis said the two people who lost their season tickets were not believed to have taken part in the confrontation with Kennedy. It was also unknown if the two were cited by police.
"The first time something like that happens, you don't want to overreact, but at the same time you want to make a statement," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "I thought what they decided was very good."
An investigation is continuing, and Ellis said additional season ticket holders could lose their privileges for the rest of Denver's home games if they were involved in unruly behavior.
Even if the actual season ticket owners were not at the game, they face revocation of their tickets.
"Each season ticket holder is ultimately responsible for the actions of those using the tickets," Ellis said.
Denver's ticket policy allows the team to revoke season tickets permanently. That decision is made on a case-by-case basis, team spokesman Jim Saccomano said.
The flying snowballs, some apparently containing batteries, marked the second time Broncos fans lashed out this season. Denver cornerback Dale Carter was hit in the face with a metal object while walking off the field on Oct. 3.
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