Bucs fans put down and praise patdowns
They take sides before they enter Raymond James Stadium, where security guards aren't touching.
By LETITIA STEIN
Published November 7, 2005
TAMPA - Outside Gate A at Raymond James Stadium, Gordon Johnston greeted the cameras waiting for him with a little smile.
Johnston is the 60-year-old Valrico high school civics teacher who sued the Tampa Sports Authority to stop stadium patdowns.
On Sunday, he raised his Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap at the gate, showing security guards that nothing dangerous was stashed there. Then he walked - untouched - into the stadium.
"I'm happy," said Johnston.
"I don't mind lifting my hat," he said. "I don't want people to touch me all over, or without my permission."
An appeals court on Friday evening banned the patdowns until it can consider Johnston's claim that they violate his constitutional rights.
While Johnston smiled on Sunday, other fans called for the patdowns' return.
"Somebody shake me down," a man yelled from the next gate over as Johnston walked in.
It could be weeks before the 2nd District Court of Appeal makes its final ruling.
But fans held their own court outside the stadium's gates on Sunday. Some applauded Johnston. Others blasted his lawsuit as a threat to security.
Still more saw the patdowns as a necessary inconvenience.
"I just thought it was one of those necessary things that had to be done," said Johnston's wife, Becky, noting that she fully supports her husband's pending lawsuit.
Johnston's lawsuit claims that the patdowns violate his Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches. The American Civil Liberties Union is helping to represent his case.
When it was filed last month, NFL officials said Johnston's lawsuit was the first known legal challenge to the patdowns, mandated at the start of the season at each stadium where the league's 32 teams play.
Buccaneers fans are taking sides in the showdown.
"The American Civil Liberties Union isn't representing my civil interests, keeping me safe," said Kristen Cunningham, 31, a season ticket holder from Bradenton who argued loudly for greater protection. "I think there should be sniffing dogs here, metal detectors."
Shortly after, Tom Smith walked by arguing the opposite view with his sons.
"Not only are they unconstitutional, they're stupid," the 54-year-old St. Petersburg resident said. "They're not involved enough to be effective. They are simply intrusive."
Pausing in the same crosswalk, Sem Bastien observed that the patdowns were just right.
"It's not like they're doing full body searches," said Bastien, 35, a Tampa season ticket holder. "They just pat you down, and you go."
As they breezed through security - required only to open bags and remove hats - some fans wished for more.
"No patdowns?" said Larry Browett, 51, of Largo, joking with the security guard. "I was looking forward to it."
--Letitia Stein can be reached at 661-2443 or lstein@sptimes.com