Chargers backers' post-game beating of Broncos fan caught on video: Stay classy, San Diego

Broncos fans may have unleashed plenty of Philip Rivers hate tweets after Denver bested San Diego in yesterday's playoffs match-up -- but as far as we know, none of them resorted to violence against Bolts lovers. A similar claim can't be made by members of Chargers Nation. After the game,...

By Michael Roberts

January 13, 2014

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Broncos fans may have unleashed plenty of Philip Rivers hate tweets after Denver bested San Diego in yesterday's playoffs match-up -- but as far as we know, none of them resorted to violence against Bolts lovers.

A similar claim can't be made by members of Chargers Nation. After the game, assorted San Diego fans beat the hell out of a Broncos booster after he arrived at an event wearing a Peyton Manning jersey. Get the details and see not one but two videos related to the incident below.

Chris Biele, whose Twitter account describes him as "#SuperBowl XLVIII correspondent for @Fox5SanDiego," was on the scene. Here's a Biele tweet from a period when a Chargers victory still seemed like a reasonable possibility:

National City Blvd is closed to traffic in anticipation of #Chargers fans celebrating but all quiet so far.
— Chris Biele (@Chris_Biele) January 13, 2014

Shortly thereafter, however, Biele sent out this update:

Mostly peaceful #Chargers rally in National City except for one incident. 1 #Broncos fan and 3 #Chargers fans arrested after fight.
— Chris Biele (@Chris_Biele) January 13, 2014

He followed up with this additional comment:

#Broncos fan came in like he owned the place and #Chargers fans didn't like that.
— Chris Biele (@Chris_Biele) January 13, 2014

Granted, we're biased toward the Broncos around here -- but doesn't this sound like Biele is blaming the Peyton-jersey-wearing dude for getting his ass kicked, and providing a he-asked-for-it excuse for the guys who pummeled him?

In any event, it didn't take long for a video of the pounding to pop up on YouTube. Update: The original clip was deleted, but we found a news report from a Colorado Springs TV station that includes much of the action. Here it is:

Biele's report for Fox5 includes another video with better quality images, albeit captured after the rough stuff was done. We've included it after the break because it features auto-play coding.

In addition, Biele notes that the event in question had been intended to celebrate the Chargers' season, and it continued after the fight. He also points out that "a photojournalist with a San Diego TV station was bit or nipped by a police dog during the commotion. He was treated for minor injuries and continued to take video of the rally."

The great ones play hurt.

Continue to see Fox5 video shot at the scene of the assault.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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