Chargers Fan Fined $280 for Throwing Football in Stadium Parking Lot

[scho63]

The more of these type of stories I read, the more I continue to hate the police, the lawmakers and politicians. This country is so off track it's not funny.

Is really the best use of police resources? I think NOT!

http://thebiglead.com/2013/11/10/cha...m-parking-lot/

A San Diego Chargers fan was asked by police to stop throwing a football in the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot while tailgating before last month’s game against the Colts.

Initially assuming the officers were joking, and understandably so, the 27-year-old Jesse Unger jokingly replied, “coach’s orders” and continued to throw the football. It was then that Unger was presented with a football throwing citation because fans are seriously not allowed to toss the old pigskin in the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot.

In fact, the very first infraction on the city’s “Parking Lot Policies and Procedures” website says as much. Here’s the actual law:

Per San Diego Municipal Code 59.0502, says that one cannot “intentionally throw, discharge, launch or spill any solid object (including footballs, baseballs, frisbees and other such devices) or liquid substance or otherwise cause subject or substance to be thrown, discharged, launched, spilled, or to become airborne.”
Loving the inclusion of “intentional” here. The idea of accidentally throwing a football, baseball or frisbee offers a wonderful visual.

Unger ended up taking the ticket to court upon learning the fine would cost him a whopping $280. He had initially been told by officers at “the scene” the fine would be for $60. After presenting his case, the judge told Unger he would be charged $75 if he were to plead guilty.

Here’s their fantastic exchange:

“But the ticket is for $280 according to the court documents, Your Honor,” Unger replied.

“Yes, but I think that is just ridiculous,” responded the judge.

“You and me both,” Unger muttered back. “I plead guilty to throwing the football, Your Honor.”

After being fed those comical words, the sanity-seeking judge reportedly dismissed the ticket.

According to the report, three other NFL stadiums also have this unfathomable policy in place: LP Field in Tennessee, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Beyond absurd. It should really be against the law to have such a law.

[HoneyBadger]

The cop even warned him. I don't feel bad.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I personally hate drunk reeruns playing catch. I got hit in the back of the head one day, the guy missed his target by 10 yards and fell on his face while running to apologize. My wife has been hit. At least 60% of the cars have been hit. Saw grill get knocked over, which resulted in a brawl.

Alex Smith can't hit anyone past 15 yards but Chubs McBaggypants with a 12 pack of Busch Light in him is going to hit Skinny Pete on a deep out route right through the middle of someone else's tailgate?

I pretty much agree. I think it's fine when there's plenty of open space, but there's always the few tards still chucking footballs and baseballs when the lot is packed and cars and people are everywhere.

[007]

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

The cop even warned him. I don't feel bad.

Agreed. Do what the cop says. don't be a dumbass.

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by scho63

It all comes back to one issue IMHO; everyone wants to have the POWER to tell everyone else what to do.

I feel like we have created 100 million gestapos who push political correctness like a taser, pass one stupid law after another, and then the people who find a silly reason to complain about everything so the world revolves around them and everyone else has to change their ways.

Next it will be no frisbee, no cornhole, and then before you know it, no tailgating.

I've seen more people's grills hit with cars during the parking process than any other reason.

Well, there should be a no driving law, it's a parking lot after all.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by DRU

This doesn't surprise me, really. Do I think it's kinda stupid, yeah, but that's just because I don't care when I'm sitting in the parking lot and my car gets smashed in the windshield, the doors, the hood, etc. about 6 or 7 times by random footballs.

If I wasn't so care free (like many people) I might start fights with the people throwing footballs, or complain to the stadium and try to claim they owe me to fix dents in my car, which whether the stadium would actually do that or not it would be a waste of time for them to deal with.

I would imagine that sort of thing happened enough in San Diego that they just said, screw it, they can't throw footballs anymore.

if a football is smashing your windshield, you need a new car.

[Eleazar]

Yeah, it's the police's fault there is a city ordinance, and that the guy continued to ignore them after they asked him to stop without any consequences.

He's paying a $280 stupid tax.

[2112]

And you have to wait on line for 30 minutes to take a leak in that shithole. not enough port a johns, but plenty o police. and dont let them catch you with a bottle of beer. that's another fine.

[T-post Tom]

Got a traffic violation while visiting San Diego. Bent over with no reach around. They must be racking it in for the city coffers. Tix was about 3X as much as MO.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

most people in the parking lot are p accurate, not like it's alice smith scrambling round out der

[cdcox]

What harm is there in tossing the ball around in an empty parking lot?

[Eureka]

Where Cali goes the rest of the states follow....

In Oakland in 2008 they took away cover bands and MC's in the parking lots. Something about noise.

2010 there is now no smoking at all. No smoking in a wide open parking lot even though there's smoke everywhere because of BBQ's

This year only very clear plastic bags are allowed in the game!

Taking away throwing a football in the parking lot is dumb. Taking away my right to hit unsuspecting Chiefs fans with a football in Oakland is something that would upset me. That is just part of the experience for them and me!

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by cdcox

What harm is there in tossing the ball around in an empty parking lot?

It's California, you need to apply for a permit for that.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Just curious... why is this rule "unfathomable?" You really want drunk people throwing footballs when there are grills (often with hot coals) all over the lot?

if your shit is getting ****ed up, call a cop -- there's like ten zillion other laws protecting you and your gear from drunks

[Pasta Little Brioni]

CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

But, but, but it da loudest, most bestest stadium in da wooooorld!!!

[Imon Yourside]

I hope he gets the chair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!