Introduction to the Incident
GAINESVILLE — Four exuberant football fans who rushed the field after the University of Florida’s upset win over Texas are facing first-of-their-kind, felony trespass charges under a new law a Republican senator said was intended to punish protesters of President Donald Trump during his appearances in the state.
Lawmakers in Tallahassee said they never intended the new law to be used against fans storming football fields after a huge victory. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in May.
Background on the New Law
The new law bans anyone from entering an area secured by law enforcement or a large, ticketed sports or entertainment event without a ticket — with penalties up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Such cases were previously handled as misdemeanors. The new law, which two Democratic state lawmakers voted against, puts running past police onto a football field after a big game on the same criminal level as aggravated assault, bribery, drug possession or child abuse.
Legislative Intent
When the bill was making its way through the Legislature earlier this year, even lawmakers who wrote it said it wasn’t intended to punish what has been an occasional college tradition at some schools for decades. At a hearing of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee in March, Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, asked, “So, just to be crystal clear, if somebody goes onto the field, they won’t be charged with a felony?” “That’s not the intent, and they can quote me in the case law if that becomes an issue,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers.
Application of the Law
Martin, the chairman of the criminal justice committee, said during the hearing that the bill was meant to provide tougher penalties against Trump protesters. “This is specifically intended to address the Secret Service efforts to keep our president safe while he’s in the State of Florida,” Martin said. The bill passed unanimously in the House. In the Senate, Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, voted against it, and Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, recorded a “no” after the official vote.
The Incident at UF
Two UF students — including one from Parkland — and two older men were handcuffed and arrested Oct. 4 after police said they ran onto Steve Spurrier-Florida Field after the team’s 29-21 victory over the then-No. 9 Longhorns. It was a rare moment of exhilaration so far this season for UF, whose record fell to 2-4 after Saturday’s loss to No. 5 Texas A&M.
A review of statewide criminal records across Florida shows that the felony charges recommended by law enforcement in their cases would be the first filed under the new law, which took effect May 16.
Reaction from Authorities and Former Coach
Famed former UF head coach Steve Spurrier said in a new interview he thinks such fan actions at college games energize players and make a lifetime memory for students. “When I watch these other schools do it, that’s a memory of a lifetime for those students,” Spurrier told Fresh Take Florida, a news service at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Spurrier famously encouraged fans last year to rush the field if the Gators beat LSU under Coach Billy Napier. UF won 27-16, but the fans stayed in their seats.
Charges and Potential Outcomes
The four fans include UF students Landon Beckham Kingsle Kefford, 21, of Parkland, and Danek Everett Blalock Cirafesi, 19, of Somerville, New Jersey. They were banned from the stadium for three years. The others were Kevin Wilcox Joy, 35, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and John Paul Schmidt, 27, of Greensboro, N.C. The latter two were banned from the university’s campus for three years, not just the stadium. None of the four returned emails or text messages to discuss their arrests. Cirafesi and Schmidt pleaded not guilty last week.
Conclusion
The case of the four UF football fans facing felony trespass charges for rushing the field after a game highlights the unintended consequences of a new law aimed at punishing protesters. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the charges will be handled and what message this will send to fans in the future. The incident has sparked a discussion about the balance between maintaining order and allowing fans to celebrate their team’s victories.
FAQs
Q: What is the new law that the four UF football fans are being charged under?
A: The new law bans anyone from entering an area secured by law enforcement or a large, ticketed sports or entertainment event without a ticket, with penalties up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Q: Was the law intended to be used against fans rushing the field after a game?
A: No, lawmakers said the law was meant to provide tougher penalties against Trump protesters and not intended to punish fans storming football fields after a huge victory.
Q: What are the potential outcomes for the four fans facing charges?
A: The outcomes are uncertain, but their lawyer predicts the case will end up without his clients facing a felony record or years in prison, possibly resulting in a lesser charge or community service.
Q: How does this incident compare to similar situations at other universities?
A: At other universities, similar scenes sometimes end in celebration without arrests, as seen in the case of Florida State beating Alabama, where fans flooded the field but no trespassing arrests were made.
