There's a right way and a wrong way to make a fool out of yourself at a sporting event. Examples of the former include Randall Simon clobbering one of the sausage racers, Englishman Mark Roberts attaining "the holy grail of streaking" at the Super Bowl, and Lt. Frank Drebin umpiring the Angels-Mariners game. Examples of the latter include Fan Man, Rosie Ruiz, and the father-son duo who attacked Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa.

The Olympic Games offers an example from the stupid gate-crasher camp and the fun gate-crasher camp. Grown man Ron Bensonhom dressed up in a tutu and jumped from the high dive into the pool during a lull in the synchronized diving competion. For entertainment value, Bensonhom deserves the Gold. His act was certainly no sillier than the idea of synchronized diving as an Olympic event. A defrocked Irish priest, on the other hand, physically attacked Vanderlei de Lima, who was leading the Marathon in its final miles. De Lima recovered from being tackled, only to lose his lead and earn the bronze medal. Amazingly, Bensonhom, who disrupted absolutely nothing, was sentenced to five months in prison. The psychopath Irishman, who nearly killed himself last year when he ran towards racing autos during a Grand Prix event, received a suspended sentence today.

Really? I heard he got a year solid.

he will be getting it solid thats for sure!

Although he did not physically impose himself on any sporting event or participant I think the father of this type of behavior was "Rockin" Rollen Stewart. Also known as the guy with the "John 3:16" sign. He attended super bowls, world series games with a rainbow wig perched on his head while holdind his sign, dancing a jig whether he was behind homeplate or on the sidelines. His behavior at the time was unprecedented and considered outrageous.

He was arrested multiple times for his acts. Only later did it come to light that he viewed himself as a crusader for God. Rollen unfortunately was mentally disturbed and his demise was very sad and tense, in a hotel room near LAX. Rollen Stewart was the original sporting event renegade.

http://home.pacifier.com/~dkossy/rainbow.html

Finally, the Irish have made a name for themselves in the Olympics. Eccentric and violent maybe, but not drunk. Think of this as a step up for the Emerald Isle;)

Hey, let's lay off the Sons of the Emerald Isle Peg.

There are enough nuts to go around from every country.