Person In Gorilla Suit Interrupts Lions-Bears Game

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of fans entering Soldier Field prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles at Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of fans entering Soldier Field prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles at Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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A person in a gorilla suit wearing an “All Lives Matter” t-shirt ran onto the field during Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.

Someone wearing a gorilla suit and a shirt with “All Lives Matter” printed on the front and “Put The Guns Down” on the back ran onto the field at Soldier Field during Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. The person, who was also wearing a bright orange winter hat, fell down near the 40-yard line, where he or she was apprehended by several security officials after running around on the field for about 30 seconds, delaying play early in the fourth quarter.

The person was escorted from the field following apprehension, although as of Monday morning there appears to be no record of an arrest by Chicago police. A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department told the Associated Press that he had not heard about the incident. The FOX broadcast of the game did not show the person as he or she was running around on the field, although the person did briefly appear on screen while being escorted off the field.

The action comes during a time when many players, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in particular, have engaged in protests against racial inequality and police brutality by kneeling or raising fists during the pre-game national anthem. No Detroit Lions or Chicago Bears players were reported to have protested during the national anthem on Sunday.

The gorilla suit may be a reference to Harambe, the 17-year old gorilla who was killed after a child fell into his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo in May, who become an internet sensation and popular write-in presidential candidate.

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The Lions lost the game, 17-14, and will return home to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 1:00 on FOX.