Paraplegic Injured at LA XFL Opener

Thursday February 15 7:21 PM ET
Paraplegic Injured at LA XFL Opener

By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Security measures will be increased and beer sales will be curtailed for Xtreme games after a paraplegic was injured during the XFL (news - web sites)'s debut at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

``We're definitely going to beef up security, we're going to beef it up and be very aggressive. There's going to be a significant presence,'' Coliseum general manager Pat Lynch said Thursday.

Albert Trevino, 46, of Ventura, was hospitalized with a head cut and bruises on much of his body. Lynch said Trevino, a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair, was hurt when a nearby fight spilled over, causing him to lurch forward over a 2-foot metal plate and into the seats in front of him.

A crowd of 35,813 attended the Los Angeles Xtreme's home opener Saturday night against the Chicago Enforcers. The next XFL game at the Coliseum is Feb. 25 against Memphis.

``The Coliseum has assured us they're going to do several things,'' said J.K. McKay, the Xtreme's general manager. ``First, they're going to beef up security within the stadium. There's going to be a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of fan misbehavior. Those people who misbehave will immediately be removed, ejected and, if appropriate, arrested.

``They're going to cut off beer sales at the end of the first half and, in the future, if we have any further problems, we, the organization, will request the Coliseum not serve any beer at all.''

Trevino, a Little League coach, said he'll return to the Coliseum for a game, but he won't sit in the section for those with disabilities until a railing is installed.

``Had there been one, I would have had something to grab onto,'' he said.

Lynch said the railing was taken out during a remodeling job in 1993.

``We don't know yet,'' Lynch said when asked if it would be reinstalled. ``We're still investigating what's the best solution.''

Lynch said the railings were taken out after discussions with consultants and representatives of the disabled.

``Many times the railing would interfere with the sight line,'' he said.

Trevino recalled hearing his head crunch against the concrete floor during the altercation, then lying face down, his head covered with blood.

His 13-year-old nephew, Eddie Cardenas, rushed to his aid and wound up covered in beer and his uncle's blood as fans lobbed beer in his direction, Trevino said.

``One man took out his handkerchief and put it on my head to stop the bleeding,'' Trevino said, adding it took a long time for paramedics to arrive. ``They had to use their shields to protect themselves from the crowd.''

Paramedics took Trevino to California Hospital, where he received six stitches to close his head wound.

``I was lucky, very lucky that I was not hurt more,'' said Trevino, who was paralyzed at age 17 after his girlfriend accidentally ran over him while backing up her car.

Trevino insists he doesn't plan legal action.

``I would just be happy if they apologized to me and found my glasses and camera, which were lost during the fight. It's not my style to sue,'' he said.

McKay expressed regret at the news of Trevino's injury.

``I am upset by it. I hope the Coliseum does whatever needs to be done to ensure this never happens again,'' he said. ``To the individual, I would personally apologize and ask that he give us another chance and we'll do whatever we can to make sure he can watch the game comfortably and without incident.''


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