Sheriff Says Officers Acted Properly

Sheriff Waters said his deputies followed the rules when dealing with fans who refused to leave after causing trouble. One fan even threatened to “kill a cop,” used racial slurs against a Black officer, and grabbed for the officer’s gun.

“I will not stay silent while important facts are ignored to push an anti-police agenda,” Waters said.

Videos of two separate fights between police and fans spread online, leading many to question whether the officers used too much force. However, Waters said the clips didn’t show the full story. At a press conference on Monday, he shared body camera footage to explain what happened.

First Incident: Fan Threatens Officers and Resists Arrest

The first fight happened around 4:20 p.m. A group of kids tried to enter a section of the stadium without tickets. When security stopped them, their father, Georgia fan Walter Brown, pushed past a stadium worker and went to his seat.

When deputies told him he had to leave, Brown refused. “I’m either going to kill a cop or not leave. One or the other,” he said. He also accused the stadium worker of trying to “kidnap” his kids.

Deputy E.D. Kelly tried to grab Brown’s arm, but Brown pulled away. The deputy then used his taser, causing Brown to stiffen for a moment before regaining control and shouting racial slurs at Kelly.

Brown still refused to cooperate, so Kelly tased him again. Brown fell over a seat but was not knocked out. When he tried to get up, Kelly punched him while holding handcuffs in his hand.

Sheriff’s officials said the handcuffs were not used as a weapon but were meant to restrain Brown. At one point, Brown even grabbed the deputy’s gun.

As he was being taken away, Brown continued using racial slurs. His son could be heard asking, “Dad, are you okay?”

Second Incident: Group of Fans Refuses to Leave

The second fight happened around 6 p.m. when a Georgia fan told police that a group of Florida Gators fans was harassing a stadium worker.

Officers approached the group—Brandon Boley, Alexander Long, and Michael Long—and told them to leave. They refused and argued with the officers.

One officer tried to grab a fan, who resisted and was hit in the head. Another member of the group bear-hugged a deputy from behind, which led to a second fight. At one point, a Georgia fan helped hold the man down while police tried to handcuff him.

One of the fans was tased after getting up off the ground. Eventually, all three were arrested.

A nearby fan could be heard saying, “Good job, officer,” as police led the men away.

Sheriff: Officers Did Their Job

Waters said the arrested fans were “aggressive” and refused to cooperate.

“We’re not playing games here,” he said. “This is real life. These situations can turn dangerous fast.”

None of the officers involved were punished, and they returned to work the next day.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, who had called the videos “disturbing” on Sunday, has not yet responded to the sheriff’s defense of his officers.