Normally, Iowa fans are into harassing players from the opposing team, but Hawkeye defensive end Adrian Clayborn learned that's not always the case.
An Iowa City woman was arrested last Saturday during Iowa's game against Arkansas State for harassing Clayborn from the stands. Brittney Mears was seated in the front row of Kinnick Stadium behind the Hawkeye bench.
Clayborn told police he was "distracted and annoyed" by Mears' actions and she was eventually removed from the stadium and charged with third-degree harassment, a simple misdemeanor. It's not the first time Mears, left, has targeted Clayborn.
In June, Mears was warned against making contact with the player, but she continued to drive past Clayborn's workplace while staring at him.
In July, Mears allegedly sent Clayborn a vulgar text message. She was charged with third-degree harassment, eventually pleaded guilty and received a deferred judgment of a $100 fine, 10 days of community service and one year of probation.
That led to Saturday's incident, when Mears repeatedly called Clayborn's name throughout the first three quarters. Police said she "drew attention to herself" and was taken into custody. A trial is set for Nov. 13.
Iowa officials are doing all they can to make sure fans behave themselves this Saturday when the Hawkeyes play host to Michigan in a nationally televised game. Athletic director Gary Barta wrote a guest editorial that ran in Wednesday's edition of The Daily Iowan titled, "Irresponsible few reflect poorly on Hawkeye tailgating."
Barta wrote: "Among the tens of thousands of Hawkeye fans who do it right on game days, I am discouraged, and sometimes downright disgusted, by a small minority of alcohol abusers who ruin the game-day experience and give Hawkeye tailgating a bad name.
"Each week, we deal with hundreds of fans who abuse alcohol to the point of embarrassment — and in many cases endanger themselves and others around them. We eject from Kinnick Stadium, and sometimes have to place under arrest, dozens of people who drink so much they can't stand on their own, pass out, are underage, throw up on the fans around them, urinate in public, etc.
"While I apologize for my graphic descriptions, these scenarios occur with far too much frequency and simply aren't acceptable."
Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.
Comments