....God knows the Caps need someone with some passion.
Report: Leonsis Grabs Fan at Hockey Game
Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis grabbed a 20-year-old fan by the neck and threw him to the ground after being taunted during the team's home loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Jason Hammer, a Washington resident and season ticket-holder who sits across from Leonsis' luxury box, said he had led a derisive chant directed toward the owner during the game and held up a sign that read: "Caps Hockey; AOL Stock -- See a Pattern?" Leonsis, 48, is vice chairman of America Online.
After the game, which was the first for the Capitals at home since the trade of star forward Jaromir Jagr, Hammer said he was walking past Leonsis with the sign held above his head when the owner approached him. Hammer then said Leonsis strangled him and security guards were needed to restrain the owner.
Team sources told the Post that Hammer had thrust the sign near Leonsis' face and heckled the owner, and Leonsis had shoved the fan aside.
Leonsis declined to comment to the Post. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Leonsis early Tuesday morning were unsuccessful.
One witness told the Post that Leonsis grabbed Hammer by the collar, drove him backward and pushed him down. Another witness said Leonsis and Hammer were yelling at each other before the owner approached the fan. The two then shoved each other, the witness said, before security guards restrained Leonsis.
Hammer, who told the newspaper Leonsis had called to apologize, said he did not intend to press charges.
"I think both he and I are going to drop it and continue on and have it be like that," he said.
