New York Jet, Shaun Ellis, Sued for Snowball Incident
After a Jets loss in Seattle on December 21, 2008, defensive end Shaun Ellis was caught tossing a large block of snow into the Seattle stands at a fan who was taunting the Jets on their way out off the field. Following the incident, Ellis was fined $10,000 for his behavior by the NFL. Two years later, the fan, Robert Larsen has filed a lawsuit. Larsen is suing for physical injury, humiliation, mental distress, pain, and wage loss from the incident. When being questioned by reporters, Ellis was nonchalant about the lawsuit and said he was only aware of it because of a text message sent to him. In the video that was taken by another fan, it is clear not only does another New York Jet throw a snowball at the same fan, but the fan appears to celebrate when Ellis tosses the snow into the stands. In addition, the Jets players are being pelted by the Seattle fans.
If anything, Larsen seems to take pleasure in both taunting and being recognized by the Jets players. Evidence of lost wages, physical injury, humiliation, mental distress, and pain should be pretty interesting to see. This looks like a far fetched lawsuit that is the product of a fan overstepping their boundaries. The New York Jets franchise can't seem to stay out of the headlines recently, but this one may be a stretch.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.