Why was Rams’ Bobby Wagner potentially facing charges in the first place?
The Rams and their linebacker can breathe a sigh of relief after reports confirmed that he won’t be facing charges for tackling a fan who invaded the field of play.
It’s a case of good news for the Rams and their LB, following the strange scenes that were witnessed during a game back in October and the inquest that followed, after he quite literally tackled a fan.
Rams’ Bobby Wagner won’t face charges after tackling fan
According to statements from the Santa Clara Police Department, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner will not be facing criminal charges for tackling a man who ran onto the field during his team’s October 3rd game against the San Francisco 49ers. The incident in question occurred late in the first half of San Francisco’s 24-9 win over the Rams at Levi’s Stadium. A man since identified as Alexander Taylor, ran on the field with a pink smoke bomb as part of an animal rights protest. As field security struggled to contain him, Taylor ran past the Rams’ sideline at which point Wagner, as well as defensive end Takkarist McKinley knocked him down in an apparent effort to assist the security team, who were then able to detain him.
“He looked like he wasn’t supposed to be on the field,” Wagner said postgame. “I saw security was having a little problem, so I helped them out. It’s just keeping it safe. You don’t know what that fan got or what they’re doing. We don’t know what they’re carrying in their pocket.” Interestingly, Rams coach Sean McVay said at the time that he knew Wagner had good intentions in tackling the man and added that the player had his full support.
What happened after the incident involving Bobby Wagner?
Following the events of that night, Taylor was cited and released, however, he later returned to the Santa Clara Police Department to file a police report. In the report, Taylor claimed he suffered a headache, a concussion and a burn on his inner right bicep as a result of Wagner’s takedown. Then, just two days later, Wagner himself addressed Taylor’s filing by saying he was “more concerned about the security guard who got hurt trying to chase him.”
Ultimately, police decided to against filing charges with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. The news of course, comes as a very positive result for both Wagner and the Rams, but it does nothing to stop the fact that they are currently sitting on a disappointing 3-9 record, not an ideal situation for the defending Super Bowl champions to be in. Wagner and Co. will have a chance to turn things around when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night.