Brian Stow

I haven't written about this yet, because there hasn't been a lot to say, besides what a tragedy it was.  On Opening Day in LA, after a Dodgers/Giants game, Brian Stow was beaten in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium simply because he was a Giants fan.  Having been at Dodger Stadium (and also rooting for the visiting team) I can say from experience that it can be a very scary place.  Dodger fans love their team and they will make sure you know that, and know you are wrong if you are not rooting for them.  However, they sometimes cross the line.  You are supposed to be there for the love of the game, not to assault the visiting team's fans.

Since that day, Brian Stow has been in a medically induced coma.  He was finally able to be transported back to San Francisco from LA, but he is still in the coma.  That's almost 2 whole months.  He has swelling in his brain and they are using the coma to prevent seizures.  Many people, including Barry Bonds and Tim Lincecum have donated to his fund, and the Dodgers and the city of LA donated money towards the reward of finding the person responsible for this.  In the past week, the LAPD has arrested a person they believe to be responsible for this horrific beating.  Hopefully in the near future they catch the other person responsible.

The one thing that I'm not sure I agree with on this, is that the Stow family is suing the Dodgers for negligence.  They are basically saying that the Dodgers are responsible for this and did not do enough to protect Brian Stow.  Having worked in sports and having been to many different sports venues, I would say that unfortunately there isn't much more that can be done.  When you have tens of thousands of people at an event, and especially when alcohol is served, it is nearly impossible to make sure every single person at that event is alright, without having a security person for every one there.  While I was at Dodger Stadium, I saw a very strong police presence.  The people the Stow family need to focus their anger on are the two people who used their fists to assault this person, simply because he was wearing a Giants jersey.

With all of that being said, all of my sympathy goes out to Brian Stow and his family.  I pray for a full recovery and that  you will get to see many more Giants games in your future.