Eagles fan who allegedly punched horse files suit against team, police
The Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC championship win against the Minnesota Vikings was a landmark achievement, a decimation of a magnitude so thorough that it erased any lingering good feelings from the entire Vikings season. And Philly fans were pumped — so pumped, according to police, that one even punched a police horse.
But now the fan is having his say, and he’s disputing the official record. He’s filed suit against both the team and the police, charging that he was unfairly accused and beaten without reason.
What’s the story here?
Andrew Tornetta, 20, was charged with punching a police horse during a pregame scrum back in January. However, in a suit filed this week in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Tornetta claims that he was beaten, falsely arrested, and the victim of intense media criticism. As a result, he alleges that he has suffered “physical pain, discomfort, trauma, humiliation, embarrassment, emotional distress, sleeplessness, anxiety, inability to perform simple activities of daily living, depression characterized by feelings of despair, hopelessness, and despondency.” He is seeking damages of more than $50,000.
Tornetta claims that he was simply pregaming with hundreds of other fans when “suddenly, without warning or notice,” police on horseback swept into the group and grabbed him, tearing his shirt. He charged that he was struck with a baton and forced to lay facedown on the ground, bleeding, while he was handcuffed.
Is there video?
“Is there video.” It’s 2018, what do you think? Here’s video of the, uh, festivities before the game, with rowdy fans, police, and police horses all involved. Please be aware there is salty language in this clip; this is Philly, after all, where there’s salty language in baby shower videos. Anyway, check this lunacy out:
What happened following the game?
Well, the Eagles won the Super Bowl. They’re named in the suit because they allegedly failed to supervise the police. As for Tornetta, his charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and failure to disperse were withdrawn after he finished community service and paid $222 worth of court fees, according to the Philly Inquirer.
Why would anyone punch a police horse?
Great question. But get this: this was the second time in a week that an Eagles fan allegedly punched a horse. A 22-year-old fan apparently punched a horse prior to the Eagles’ division-round win over the Falcons. What’s going on there, Philly?
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.
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