TAMPA, Fla. -- A judge on Thursday sided with a high school civics teacher who sued to stop security "pat-downs" at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 on behalf of Bucs season ticket-holder Gordon Johnston. It sought to stop Raymond James Stadium officials from conducting the "suspicionless" searches that began last month after the NFL implemented enhanced security at stadiums throughout the league.
Circuit Judge Perry Little agreed with Johnston Thursday, issuing a temporary injunction stopping the searches until the lawsuit is resolved. The next Bucs home game is Nov. 6.
The NFL said in a statement it was "disappointed" by the decision, but hadn't had a chance to review the court's opinion.
"Pat-downs at other NFL stadiums should not be affected by this ruling," the statement said. "We believe these limited screenings are reasonable and important to the protection of our fans."
Johnston testified in a hearing last week that the searches violate his constitutional rights because they were "invasive without necessity." Security would be more effective if staff spent more time watching ticket holders and less time touching them, he said.
"Why do I need to lose my rights to go to the game?" he said. "I'd say it's humiliating. If I did that to my students, do you know what would happen to me?"
The Tampa Sports Authority, which operates the stadium, approved the pat-downs in September after the NFL asked all teams to conduct them.
The Tampa Sports Authority didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.
I think this guy is just being a little "you know wut"! I got patted down at my 1st Skins game and that was not the 1st time I got patted down. Ive been patted down going to the rollerskating rink (after all the fights that broke out). You get patted down going to the club if thats your thing. He needs to stop being a little chump and putting everyone else in danger. Everyone else deserves to be in potential danger just so he can feel like he accomplished something? I almost had to put this in smack.
Unbelievable Just like the judge who told the FBI they couldn't look at Zacarias Moussaoui laptop (which contained the 911 plot) what's it gonna take..a stadium is a prime target!!
"Sean Taylor is hands down the best athlete I've ever coached it's not even close" Gregg Williams 2005 Mini-Camp
You have to be kidding, right?
You are not being patted down for weapons. These kids patting me down are not trained for that. The pat down is from the waist up. They never check the legs or shoes.
You are being patted down for food and drink. Owners don't want any outside food or drink brought inside the stadium so you have to buy it inside.
I used to love bringing in sandwiches or hot chocolate into RFK. If you never did it, you don't know what you don't have, but being patted down sucks.
I honestly do not understand people who feel they are safer in FED EX because they have been patted down. They are completely ineffective
If the goal was security and it worked I would be all for it. It isn't and it doesn't. Pat downs don't work.
"I DN'T ENVISION MYSELF LEAVING, BUT I CN'T STAY WHERE I'M NT WANTED AFTER ALL THESE REPORTS R COMIN OUT DAILY!" - TO
Don't violate my rights by patting me down. I'd much rather be blown to bits by a terrorist or racially profiled, or as he so eloquently calls it, "suspicionless" searches.
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
I almost had to put this in smack.
