Rex Ryan Blamed For Taser Attack During Jets-Cowboys Game

The son of the man, arrested for firing a stun gun into a crowd of fans sitting in MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, blamed Jets coach Rex Ryan for creating a confrontational environment before the New York Jets-Dallas Cowboys nationally-televised game even started.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, Leroy McKelvey's son, Charlamagne tha God, claimed Ryan stirred things up by saying in a press conference before the game that "It's probably not recommended that you wear Cowboys stuff" to the Jets home stadium.

"He shouldn't have had a Taser on him," said the son about his father's arrest.  "But I really feel he took a risk because he felt threatened."

Charlamagne tha God, a local radio DJ, said the attack could have been provoked because his dad was wearing a Cowboys hat and jersey and has tattoos of Cowboys stars on his shoulder and right forearm.

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Witnesses say otherwise.  They say the brawl erupted after a Marine became annoyed that McKelvey and some friends  would not stand or remove their hats during the national anthem and for talking during "Taps" and "Amazing Grace."

The witnesses claim the fight escalated when the Marine, who was sitting at the end of a row of seats in the upper deck wouldn't move when McKelvey, 59, of Monck's Corner, S.C., tried to get past him to go to the restroom during halftime.

McKelvey pulled the stun gun and fired a shot into the Marine's neck, knocking him down six rows, according to police reports.

Authorities are still baffled as to how McKelvey was able to sneak the weapon inside MetLife Stadium, especially with heightened security for 9/11 and the high-profile presence of former-President George W. Bush in attendance at the game.

The suspect's son claimed his father is a devout Jehovah's Witness and doesn't stand for the national anthem or Pledge of Allegiance, but would never resort to violence.

"He's not a violent guy at all.  He just likes to have fun," Charlamagne tha God said.  "I would hope that an altercation didn't happen because of him not standing for the national anthem."

Police said three men suffered minor injuries, including the Marine, during the scrum and McKelvey had his nose broken.

"He got jumped by Jets fans when the Cowboys were leading by two touchdowns, so he was just defending himself," the son said.

The incident comes just weeks after brawls broke out all over Candlestick Park during a San Francisco 49ers-Oakland Raiders preseason game.  The NFL came out and said teams were going to crack down on fan violence by curbing drinking and tailgating.  The 49ers banned shirts with anti-team statements written on them.

The Jets-Cowboys game was the highest rated week 1 primetime game in 15 years according to numbers released by Nielsen.  The Jets won the game, 27-24, after mounting a fourth quarter comeback.

McKelvey was charged with felony aggravated assault, felony possession of a stun gun and illegal possession of a weapon.  His son posted the $22,500 bail. 

It was a solemn day that should have never ended with violence at such a prominent game.  The blame should be put squarely on the stadium security who fumbled the ball on this one.