Jets Fan Arrest: San Diego Police Give Their Side of the Story

Bill Carroll getting arrested

Ask William Carroll if his ejection and subsequent arrest at the San Diego Chargers vs. New York Jets playoff game last Sunday was justified. He’ll probably tell you no.

Carroll was handcuffed and literally carried out of Qualcomm Stadium for being a Jets fan. At least that’s the public perception.

A YouTube sensation, Carroll’s arrest has become a hotbed for controversy and now the San Diego Police Department want you to know their side of the story.

Repeatedly on the video (below) you hear surrounding fans—Charger fans, mind you—tell police that he did nothing wrong. All he did was cheer for his team.

Not the case according to SDPD Asst. Chief Bob Kanaski.

Carroll was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and delaying or obstructing a police officer in his duties.

“It had nothing to do with cheering, it had to do with the behavior not seen on the film,” Kanaski said per the San Diego Union-Tribune.

He said officers went to talk to Carroll after being notified via text message from an off-duty police officer at the game who said the Jets fan was intoxicated and out of control.

A sergeant asked Carroll three times to accompany him out of the stands but he refused. Kanaski said at one point Carroll tried to head-butt one of the officers. When the fan balled his fists and took a stance, the sergeant began to handcuff him, Kanaski said. That is where the video picks up again.

“The guy was obviously drunk and causing difficulty in the section,” Kanaski said.

Of the 69,000 people at the game, 49 arrests were made, and 43 of those involved being drunk in public. Others were arrested on charges such as petty theft, grand theft and battery, Kanaski said. Thirty-three were ejected for rowdy behavior. Police also issued several citations.

Your thoughts? Watch the video and comment below.