Authorities arrested two men during Saturday’s football game, including a cashier who reportedly stole from a concession stand and a Tennessee fan who reportedly became too impassioned.
About 4:20 p.m., during the UF 28-27 win over the University of Tennessee, Samuel Turner, 27, reportedly staggered outside the stadium, flipped both middle fingers up and screamed, "F--- you," according to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office report.
"I can definitely tell you that I was not the only person that was fired up or yelling," Turner said.
He walked away before returning three minutes later as his girlfriend cried behind him. Turner then walked into the hand of an officer who stopped him from entering the stadium, according to the report.
The deputy sat Turner on a curb before talking to his girlfriend, who said Turner was drunk on moonshine and angry that someone insulted Tennessee, according to the report.
She said Turner was acting out of character and pleaded for the officer to calm him down, according to the report.
"I probably should have taken more precaution to not put myself in a poor situation," he said.
Turner said fans of both teams created a hostile environment, and drinking led him to make regrettable decisions.
"If this had happened in Tennessee, then you might be talking to a Florida fan right now," he said.
Police arrested Turner for disorderly conduct and took him to the Alachua County Jail, where he was released Saturday night on a $500 bond.
Two hours later, Michael Sharpe, 20, reportedly stole $1,000 while on the job, according to a University Police report. A Centerplate Concessions employee called police after watching Sharpe take money from a register twice, according to the report. Authorities found two $100 bills and 40 $20 bills in Sharpe’s pocket before arresting him for larceny. Police took Sharpe to the Alachua County Jail where, as of press time, he remains without bond.
Sharpe was one of four people UPD arrested during the football game. UPD also ejected 52 people, 20 of whom were students. No students were arrested, according to a police report.
Twenty-five ejections were reasons for disorderly conduct, followed by nine for alcohol possession, eight for intoxication, five for sitting in the wrong section, three for not having a ticket, one for smoking and one for standing on a seat. Two arrests were listed as trespassing after a warning, one for battery and another for battery on a law enforcement officer.
Contact Giuseppe Sabella at gsabella@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @gsabella
