McKelvey's Son: Cowboys Fan Father 'Felt Threatened' At MetLife Stadium
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Talk about a stunning excuse.
Leroy McKelvey of Moncks Corner, S.C. was arrested after allegedly using an illegal stun gun in a fight with other fans during the Cowboys-Jets game Sunday night, New Jersey state police said.
McKelvey was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and two weapons counts. The 59-year-old, father of Power 105.1 deejay Charlamagne Tha God, was taken to the Bergen County Jail where bail was set at $22,500.
Last week, Jets coach Rex Ryan said "it's probably not recommended that you wear Cowboys stuff" to MetLife Stadium. Tha God says that may have had something to do with his father packing the weapon.
"He shouldn't have had a taser on him," he told the New York Daily News. "But I really feel he took a risk because he felt threatened."
There was an increased security presence at the game on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, including bomb-sniffing dogs checking every car that entered. Fans were also patted down and had their bags checked, typical of game day security.
The website Deadspin posted a cellphone video Monday of the fight. One fan can be heard on the video saying: "How did he get in here with that thing?"
According to the Daily News, the fracas began because McKelvey and his entourage didn't stand during the national anthem. They also allegedly spoke during "Taps" and "Amazing Grace," drawing the ire of a Marine.
Tha God said McKelvey is a Jehovah's Witness, and doesn't believe in standing for the anthem.
The peeved Marine in section 324 wouldn't let McKelvey pass to use the bathroom at halftime, witnesses told the paper. That's when they said McKelvey used the stun gun.
Warning: Explicit Language
MetLife Stadium CEO Mark Lamping said no one was seriously hurt in the incident during the Jets' 27-24 victory.
"Procedures for pat downs established by the NFL and used at every game were in effect at all entry gates," Lamping said in a statement.
It's possible there could be changes in the security methods, though. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is "always refining and improving our security procedures."
"These procedures have been successful in keeping items that can cause serious injuries out of our stadiums," Aiello said in a statement. "We will continue to be vigilant in protecting the safety of our fans."
Are you surprised that a fan could sneak in a stun gun? Sound off in the comments below...
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