Major Democrat donor and prominent businessman George Norcross was ejected from the Nov. 5 Philadelphia Eagles game for a pro-Israel display hanging outside his suite.
The Eagles were playing the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is running for the GOP presidential nomination, was in Mr. Norcross’ suite.
The Epoch Times has also reached out to Mr. Norcross’s employer, Conner Strong and Buckelew, for comment from Mr. Norcross himself.
Lincoln Financial Field prohibits signs or banners that are offensive or not event-related.
In a statement to The Epoch Times, the team said that “Mr. Norcross’ removal from the stadium had nothing to do with the content of his sign” and referenced the rule prohibiting displays that have nothing to do with the game being shown from stadium suites.
Mr. Norcross was repeatedly asked to remove the flag but refused and was “physically and verbally abusive.
“Mr. Norcross was ejected from the stadium only after his abuse toward numerous stadium staff members continued. He was escorted from the suite level to the stadium’s ejection point, just as anyone else would be after engaging in abusive behavior in violation of stadium policy.”
However, the rule should have been relaxed, as Mr. Norcross was trying to show his support for the U.S.-Israel alliance, said Bryan Leib, a die-hard Eagles fan who previously served as head of a political action committee supporting congressional candidates committed to combating antisemitism.
“I was shocked like, like I think a lot of other people were, when not only was, was the flag torn down by security, but also allegedly, he was arrested and escorted out,” Mr. Leib, CEO of Henry Public Relations, which represents conservatives, told The Epoch Times.
“Seems a little a little aggressive for someone just trying to offer their support in Israel’s darkest hour.”
Mr. Norcross has threatened to take legal action against the Eagles, the security company, and the NFL.
“[A]s I consider whether to file suit against the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL, and the security company which yanked me out of the box and paraded me in front of thousands of fans, I urge other supporters of Israel to make their feelings known to the team and the NFL just as they have to universities like Penn and Harvard,” he added, referring to the anti-Israel and antisemitic incidents at those universities.
“There is no dispute: On October 7th, Hamas murdered innocent Israeli civilians, raped women, and butchered children, and continues to hold hostages,” said Mr. Norcross in his statement.
“I believe Israel has the right to defend itself, just as the United States did following the September 11th attacks, and I will remain a proud and vocal defender of its right to do so,” he said.
“Americans have the right to peacefully protest, but that does not include the right to threaten people with bodily harm or even death.”
The incident is not the only time there has been a display related to the latest conflict in Israel at an NFL game.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Browns for comment about the flag at the game, which the Browns won, 19–17.
