A man attending a New England Patriots home game died last weekend after being punched in the head at least two times by a rival fan, a witness said.
Emergency personnel arrived at Gillette Stadium around 11 p.m. Sunday and found Dale Mooney, 53, of Newmarket, New Hampshire, “in apparent need of medical attention,” the Norfolk County district attorney’s office said. He was brought to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
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Mooney was arguing with a fan of the away team, the Miami Dolphins, throughout the game, and witness Joey Kilmartin said Mooney eventually confronted him.
“He basically engaged in mutual combat with another fan,” Kilmartin told the Boston Globe. “A lot of people started trying to pull them apart. ... It looked like somebody was in the middle of them, and then a man in the Dolphins jersey reached over and he connected with two punches to the victim’s head. It wasn’t something crazy or out of the ordinary until, 30 seconds later, the guy wasn’t getting up.”
An autopsy into Mooney's death was conducted, and the results are expected this week, according to the district attorney's office. Gillette Stadium workers described him as a lifelong Patriots fan and 30-year season ticket member.
Violence among rival fans at sporting events is hardly uncommon, as Kilmartin, who said he shot video of the fight, claimed it "wasn't something crazy." Videos go viral every season between the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL of belligerent fans throwing punches in the stands.
However, the fights rarely lead to more than minor punishments and engagement on social media. Yet still, physical confrontations such as at Sunday's game will surely be on the NFL and stadium officials' minds as the season, which only just began two weeks ago, continues.
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“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fan and 30-year season ticket member, who died while attending last Sunday night’s Patriots game,” Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement. “We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation. We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”
A GoFundMe was created on behalf of Mooney's wife, Lisa, and their sons, Aaron and Brandon. It reads: "Dale Mooney was a loving soul who cared so much for those he loved, especially his wife Lisa which he was married to for 20+ years. Dale was a proud father to Aaron and Brandon, constantly laughing and creating moments with them throughout their lives."