One of the highlights of this year’s big game was undoubtedly the Super Bowl streaker.
With 5:03 left in the fourth quarter, a man wearing a bright pink thong leotard and skintight shorts (which he later dropped) sprinted onto the field. The game came to a standstill as the streaker dashed past the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buckaneers as they lined up for a play. He used a spin move to evade a security guard before making a beeline for the goal line, where he was ultimately brought down in the end zone by a squad of officers.
Many joked on social media that he made more progress on the field than the Chiefs had all evening.
So what will happen to the man who bared his backside in SuperBowl LV in Tampa, Florida? And what charges would he face if he were to pull that prank in Texas?
Punishments for fans who streak during sporting events can vary from a slap on the wrist to jail time. The punishment depends on what laws were violated in the state in which the streaking occurred. At a minimum, streakers can probably count on an overnight stay in jail and a lifetime ban from the venue.
According to USA Today, the Super Bowl LV streaker — identified as 31-year-old Yuri Andrade — is facing a misdemeanor trespassing charge for running on the field at Raymond James Stadium. He was released from jail Monday morning after posting a $500 cash bond.
If he had pulled the prank in Texas, he likely would have been arrested for criminal trespass or disorderly conduct. Criminal trespass is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine. Disorderly conduct is generally a Class C misdemeanor, which is a ticket punishable by a maximum $500 fine.
And while streaking at a sporting event is definitely against the law, many pranksters believe the reward (notoriety, advertising, stories to tell your friends) outweighs the risks of any legal hurdle they may have to jump over after the fact.
Kevin Harlan’s call of the Super Bowl Streaker has gone viral.
