CNN
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A protester clashed with NFL linebacker Bobby Wagner’s entire squad Monday night as the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Los Angeles Rams.
At the end of the first half, a man with a pink flare ran onto the field at Levi’s Stadium, temporarily stopping the game.
While he initially eluded the efforts of the stewards who tried to stop him, he made the mistake of running onto the Rams defensive bench.
Wagner and teammate Takkarist McKinley saw him coming and when McKinley tried to grab the protester, Wagner tripped him.
Satisfied with his intervention, the 32-year-old walked away as security escorted the man off the field.
“He looked like he shouldn’t have been on the field,” Wagner told reporters after the game. “I saw that security had a little problem – so I helped them.”
NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning appeared to enjoy the takedown as they reacted to ESPN.
“That’s what we’re talking about. Wagner, a veteran. Get him down, get out now and let the boys take over. Bobby Wagner, a veteran play,” Peyton laughed as he watched a replay of the incident.
Animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere claimed responsibility for the stunt, with the protester attempting to raise awareness for Right to Rescue, an affiliated organization that aims to “help whistleblowers facing jail time for abusing abuses in factory farming.” uncover and save suffering animals”.
Another protester also tried to disrupt the game but was apparently stopped early.
Direct action everywhere posted a picture on Twitter of the two activists after their release, adding that they were “a bit beat up but in good spirits”.
It was also said that the man attacked by Wagner had burned his arm, probably from the torch.
Dominating the Rams behind a strong defense that had seven sacks and one interception, the 49ers won 24-9 to move up to 2-2 in the season. The loss also drops the defending champion Rams to 2-2 on the year.