CINCINNATI -- The fan who ran onto the field during a
Bengals game and took the football from Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre was placed on 14 months' probation Wednesday after pleading
guilty to charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct while
intoxicated.
Greg Gall of Cincinnati also was sentenced to 230 hours of
community service and fined $200. While on probation, he is banned
from Paul Brown Stadium and the Reds' Great American Ball Park. A
charge of resisting arrest was dropped.
"We respect the judge's decision and we hope this will serve to
deter similar incidents in the future," Bengals spokesman Jack
Brennan said.
The 31-year-old Gall interrupted the final minute of
Cincinnati's 21-14 victory on Oct. 30 as the Packers were at the
Bengals' 28 and trying to tie the score. As Favre went back to
pass, Gall came from behind and grabbed the ball. He raced down the
field, celebrating, until security guards tackled him.
Several Packers complained about security and said Gall could
have hurt Favre. The Bengals said they have increased security
since that game.
County prosecutor Joe Deters wrote to Judge David Stockdale
urging a jail sentence to deter "stupid acts like this." Gall's
lawyer, Scott Rubenstein, told the judge his client has suffered
embarrassment and his job is in jeopardy.
"It's been a humiliating experience for him," Rubenstein said.
He said Gall was remorseful and wrote apologies to the Bengals
and the county.
Stockdale said he didn't want to use jail space on Gall, but
admonished him: "Usually these kinds of antics are the province of
18- and 19-year-olds. You're 31."
The judge also suggested that Gall might need alcohol counseling
during probation. Assistant prosecutor Debbie Casey had told the
court that Gall had a 1995 assault conviction stemming from a bar
fight.
Gall said in court he understood his plea, and he declined
comment afterward.