Lions Fan Banned By Team After Sharing Racist Snapchat

The Detroit Lions have demanded a fan hand in his season tickets after he posted a racist message on Snapchat.

Lions ban racist fan news

The Detroit News first reported the story about the fan, who became irate after two African-Americans refused to stand for the national anthem before the team’s 25-23 home victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

The Lions said the fan is no longer welcome at Ford Field.

The fan reportedly shared a photo of two fans sitting during the playing of the anthem and captioned it “Ignorant N—–s.” The picture then began spreading on FaceBook and was sent to several news outlets, including ESPN. The post was made public on Wednesday.

The Lions initially refused to comment on the details of the incident Wednesday, but then stated on Thursday that the fans was permanently banned from their stadium.

“Providing our fans with a safe and enjoyable experience at all Ford Field events is of the utmost importance and an absolute priority for our organization. A core component of our guest conduct policy is the expectation that all fans are respectful and considerate to each other regardless of their personal beliefs or differences,” the Lions said in a statement. “With respect to the issue in question, the Detroit Lions and Ford Field do not comment on specifics related to any alleged guest incident(s) or altercations at games or other stadium events.”

Head coach Jim Caldwell supported the team’s decision. “I think it was handled appropriately and I think those things happen sometimes,” Caldwell said.

Defensive end Akeem Spence, when asked if it bothered him that this still happens in America, said, “Yeah, it’s crazy, man, but we all weren’t brought up the same way. We all weren’t brought up to have the same beliefs.”

Spence continued: “I feel like we’re all equal no matter what skin color or race. Some people, that’s not their beliefs. I can’t fault them for that and they can’t fault me for the way I believe. But let’s all get along.”

Lions running back Ameer Abdullah also expressed his disappointment with the incident:

Caldwell has said he has no problem with his players voicing their opinions on social issues, and many of them have. Abdullah spoke out about the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia last month and Reggie Bush also relayed his views on the riots in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 following the shooting of Michael Brown.

According to Fox News, one of the two African-American fans who appeared in the Snapchat post — the woman — said she decided to sit for the national anthem because of lyrics in the “Star-Spangled Banner” that make reference to the killing of self-emancipated slaves.

Fox News reported: “Typically, only the first stanza of Francis Scott Key’s song is sung prior to sporting events, but the complete song features three more stanzas. The third of four stanzas includes the lines, “No refuge could save the hireling and slave; From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave.”

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks for a receiver against the Los Angeles Rams during first half action at Ford Field on October 16, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)