Pitch invader tackled by LA Rams’ Bobby Wagner suffered concussion after ‘blatant assault’

The animal rights activist who was hit by LA Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner during the LA Rams-San Francisco 49ers matchup on Monday Night Football at the start of the month suffered a concussion from the hit. 

Alexander Taylor, who is part of the group Direct Action Everywhere, approached Santa Clara Police Department at 1:45 pm on October 4th – a day after the incident at Levi’s stadium – to file a police report.

The pitch invader told cops that he endured several injuries after Wagner rammed into him with his upper body and helmet while he was running shirtless across the field with a smoke bomb. The tackle came with 0:41 left on the clock in the second quarter as the Rams found themselves 6-14 down to the 49ers.

‘Mr. Taylor had a headache,’ authorities said in the report. ‘A concussion without loss of consciousness and a burn on his inner right bicep.’ 

Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner (right) tackled an animal rights activist who invaded the field

The fan, Alexander Taylor, said he suffered a concussion in a police report, according to TMZ 

Santa Clara Police is still investigating the incident, according to TMZ. It remains unclear whether the smoke device contributed to Taylor’s injuries. 

The invader filed the police report for a ‘blatant assault’ by not just Wagner, but also a second Rams player who joined from the sidelines to take him down. According to video footage of the incident, that team member seems to be Takkarist McKinley.

And as things stand, neither of the two players have been arrested or charged with a crime. Wagner stated after the game that he had ‘safety in mind’ when he made the decision to tackle Taylor.

‘That’s not making a play. That’s just keeping it safe. You don’t know what that fan got or what they’re doing. 

He went on: ‘You see it all the time, and we don’t know what they’re carrying in their pockets. It’s whatever that little smoke stuff is, but that s*** could be dangerous.’ 

The pitch invader had evaded security staff (left) and invaded the field with a red flare

As it stands, Rams linebacker Wagner has not been arrested nor charged with a crime

On Instagram, the group posted a photo of Alex Taylor and Allison Fluty showing their citations for entering the field of play. The latter reportedly then went to Santa Clara Police Department

The Super Bowl winner also said: ‘One of the guys on the other side, it looked like he got hurt, and security looked like he was struggling, so I was frustrated, so I took it out on him.’

The purpose behind the October 3 protest was to draw attention to the ongoing trial of two members of Direct Action Everywhere in Utah, where they are accused of stealing pigs.

Rams head coach, Sean McVay, also spoke with the media about the incident from a fortnight ago, and backed his players.

McVay said: ‘We all know where Bobby’s intentions were, and I support Bobby Wagner. That’s where I’m at with that. I don’t think anybody would disagree.’ 

Rams head coach, Sean McVay, backed Wagner , saying he knows where his intentions were

While 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Wagner’s tackle ‘was kind of cool to see.’

The clip was not shown on ESPN but it did make an appearance on Manningcast and both Peyton and Eli Manning enjoyed the action. 

Peyton said: ‘That’s what we’re talking about. Wagner, a veteran. Right, get him down, now get out and let these guys take over.’