Update: This story was updated at 11:38 a.m. on April 29 to include the fines and suspensions handed out by the commissioner’s office and a statement released on social media by the commissioner.
During the San Diego Strike Force’s Indoor Football League game against the Bay Area Panthers at Pechanga Arena, a physical altercation broke out between fans which included the family members of multiple players on both teams.
San Diego’s Arthur Jackson III, Marques “Hoodie” Rodgers and Bay Area’s Joe Foucha, Morris Joseph Jr. and Suh Kamara were ejected from the game, received $225 fines (a game check) and three-game suspensions after entering the stands during the altercation. Entering the stands is an automatic ejection from the game for any dressed team personnel.
“During the Bay Area vs San Diego matchup on Sunday, an unfortunate incident occurred late in the game involving a confrontation between fans,” Commissioner Todd Tryon said in a statement released on social media. “Several players intervened to defuse the situation. As noble a gesture as that may be, it is imperative to emphasize that under zero circumstances can players enter the stands. Consequently, appropriate fines and suspensions have been issued to those involved.
“Maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere is paramount to the IFL, and while this isolated incident is regrettable, it will not deter the IFL and its member teams from upholding our commitment to providing such an environment.”
All five players were given the same disciplinary measures. Additionally, both teams received a $1,000 fine by the league, per a source close to the situation.
It was understood by officials around the league that players only entered the stands to deescalate the situation which was taken into account by the commissioner’s office. None of the involved players had any part in any physicality.
Players for both teams were lining up for a kickoff after a Strike Force touchdown made it a one-point game when an altercation broke out just beyond the team benches.
Multiple sources confirmed the fight started behind the Strike Force team bench when a relative of one of the Bay Area Panthers players started yelling at a Strike Force player on the bench. A relative of one of the Strike Force players argued back and punches were thrown shortly after.
Meanwhile, the PA announcer could be heard through the public address system yelling “where is security at?” to control things behind the team benches for more than 30 seconds before security arrived at the scene.
At one point the arena spotlight was turned on and directed toward the altercation.
Security at Strike Force games was an issue in the team’s first home game on April 1, when fans ran onto the field after the game as they were accustomed to despite multiple announcements throughout the game that fans could not jump over the walls and had to wait in line in one specific area of the arena to enter the field for postgame autographs. Security stood in their positions and did nothing as dozens of fans jumped onto the field right in front of them.
After the scene began to settle down, three Bay Area players and two San Diego players jumped into the stands.
After the game concluded in a 33-32 win for the Panthers, Strike Force offensive lineman Jalen Booth was held back during an argument with a woman from the stands on the opposite side of the Bay Area bench, farther from the Strike Force bench. The woman repeatedly refused to leave despite being asked to leave by security multiple times.
It was not confirmed whether the woman was related to a player on either team although a Bay Area player was seen talking with the same woman minutes before.
Scheduled player on-field autographs and meet-and-greets after the game were canceled as security tried to get fans out of the arena as quickly as possible.
Jackson and Strike Force head coach Taylor Genuser refused to comment about the situation after the game.
Last year, a similar situation happened between the Massachusetts Pirates and Arizona Rattlers with players on both teams going into the stands, although there was no physical altercation by players in the Strike Force-Panthers situation.
In the melee last year, three players and a coach were suspended indefinitely, and none of them have seen the field again in the IFL. Only one, Leon O’Neal Jr., has recent activity in pro football; he signed with the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League in January where he’ll be teammates with former Strike Force standout KiShawn Walker.
Both organizations will also receive substantial fines for their players’ involvement.