A fight between football fans over the weekend left one man in critical condition with a severe brain injury.
Two men allegedly assaulted Joseph Bauer, a 55-year-old Baltimore Ravens fan and season ticket holder, after an argument boiled over into a fight. Bauer is being cared for at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, according to the Baltimore Sun.
The two men, identified as Scott Smith and Andrew Nappi, were each charged with first- and second-degree assault and released after posting bond. It’s unclear whether they were fans of the visiting Oakland Raiders.
Police interviews with the men, Bauer’s wife and a witness created an account of the altercation, during which Bauer was shoved to the ground. Bauer hit his head in the fall, and was knocked unconscious.
“We’re clinging to hope,” Susan Bauer, Joseph’s sister told the Sun. “He’s still not responsive and not awake, and we don’t know the extent of his brain damage. The doctors said it was consistent with a major stroke.”
The alleged attack was called “absolutely inexcusable” by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
“Whatever security has to be out there, whatever has to be done, will be done,” Harbaugh told the paper on Monday. “This is just not what we’re about, and we’re not going to have it at M&T Bank Stadium.”
The Ravens released a short statement on the incident:
“Our sympathies and prayers go out to Mr. Joseph Bauer, his wife Sharon and the rest of his family. We have reached out to the family and have received a report on Mr. Bauer’s condition," the statement reads.
“We are deeply concerned about this assault and are learning as much as we can about it. Safety for our fans is a top priority. Confrontational and inflammatory behavior is never tolerated and is unacceptable at Ravens home games.”
