Watch CBS News

Video Shows 49ers Fans Attacking NY Giants Fans In San Jose

SAN JOSE (CBS 5) – Police in San Jose are investigating claims of a brawl involving San Francisco 49ers fans following the loss in the NFC Championship game to the New York Giants.

A cellphone video obtained CBS 5 Monday appears to show a group 49ers fans attacking Giants fans outside a San Jose pizza parlor.

The grainy video shows a group of men - some wearing Niners jerseys - punching, kicking and knocking other people to the ground.

The video was shot by Jerel Salazar, a 49ers fan who had been watching the game at 4th Street Pizza with hundreds of others, including a small group of very vocal New York Giants fans.

"I knew that someone was going to happen after the game," said Salazar.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Salazar said it started out as normal cheering but got into heckling as the game wore on. The bad blood went over the top when the 49ers fumbled in overtime, said Salazar.

"The tensions had been building toward the end of the game, people were frustrated, they went outside and kicked over trash cans, just venting out and screaming," he said.

>>More Than 100 Ejected During 49ers' NFC Championship Game

After the game, Salazar kept his eye and his cell phone camera on the Giants fans who left the pizza parlor celebrating their team's win.

"A large group of 49ers fans were on their tail, and yelling at them, screw the Giants, F this and F that. That's how it started"

Salazar said it was the 49ers fans who started pushing, and when the Giants fans pushed back, the 49ers fans began punching and kicking them.

Police were called to the scene, but the crowd had already broken up. No one was seriously hurt and nobody wanted to press charges. Still, the San Jose Police Department is investigating.

"Certainly there is a concern about fan violence, but particularly because it's been highlighted with the events that took place last week with the harassment of the Saints fans by 49er fans," said Chief Chris Moore. "But we'll wait and see what turns up in the way of witnesses."

Salazar said the brawling Niner fans came after him when they saw he had a camera, but he was able to run away.

He said it's sad to see how a small group is affecting the reputation of them all. "It's very disappointing because I've always been proud of the fact that, as a 49er fan, we're not known for fights or brawls or bad behavior. Whether we win or lose, there is always next year."

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.