Fan Was Arrested After Allegedly Throwing a Bottle at Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam

CLEVELAND – During the final moments of Sunday’s 31-30 home loss to the New York Jets, a fan allegedly threw a plastic water bottle and hit Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

Jeffrey Miller, 51, of Rocky River, was charged with assault, disorderly conduct, and failure to comply, according to Cleveland police. Miller was spotted throwing the bottle by stadium video surveillance and was being followed by cameras.

After the Jets scored the game-winning touchdown with 22 seconds remaining on a pass from Joe Flacco to rookie Garrett Wilson, Haslam was seen on video walking toward an end zone tunnel in FirstEnergy Stadium when he was struck by the projectile.

Haslam came to a halt and pointed in the direction of the bottle’s origin.

According to the police report, Miller initially refused to stop when officers ordered him to. As he was being led to a holding room inside the stadium, Miller told police, “it never hit the field.” He was later arrested and taken to the Cuyahoga County jail.

According to the report, Miller appeared to be intoxicated.

According to a person familiar with the team’s decision, the Browns intend to bar Miller from the stadium. The AP spoke on the condition of anonymity because the legal process is ongoing.

Earlier, the team issued a statement condemning fan misbehavior.

“The safety of our fans, players, and staff is our top priority in our building, and any behavior that puts others in danger will not be tolerated,” said spokesman Peter Jean-Baptiste. “Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident, and as is customary, we cooperated with law enforcement authorities, and security video footage of the object being thrown is in the hands of the appropriate authorities.”

“We will make no further statements on this subject.”

The Browns were leading 30-17 with 1:55 remaining before surrendering 14 points in a minute and suffering one of the team’s worst losses in history.

Following the game, star Myles Garrett chastised fans who stayed until the end for booing the Browns.

Following a controversial call in a loss to Jacksonville, enraged Browns fans pelted the field — and officials — with plastic bottles in the final moments of a game in Cleveland in 2001.

On Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns will face the Pittsburgh Steelers.