For the past 22 years Boltman has strolled through the sections of San Diego Stadium taking pictures and greeting kids at the home games of the San Diego Chargers. He was also an organizer for Save Our Bolts. 22 years he volunteered to put a smile on kids faces. On Sunday he made his way to the Stub Hub Center to support the team regardless of his personal views regarding the relocation. But this time he was met with several security guards. Were they there to escort him through the new digs at the soccer field in Carson? Not quite, they told him they would escort him out of the stadium if he didn’t remove his mask.
The problem is there is no indication that is the rules going by anything posted on Stub Hub website. As fans recorded the incident of several security guards were trying to force Boltman to take his mask off in front of his young fans. It would seem to be inappropriate about a character that is the only real symbol of San Diego in the new digs of their temporary home in Carson being thrown out for doing what he has been doing for years.
CSC Security is a firm based out of LA that is employed to handle large crowds. They are the security group that manages the Galaxy soccer team. Soccer and football are 2 different sets of fans and you have the rules and policies that they are use to and the NFL rules that the Charger fans are use too.
The video shows 2 security guards as they approach Boltman and Josh Casillas a well known member of the fan group Bolt Pride. Josh is seen on tv wearing the Rey Mysterio mask. Josh is nicknamed the Road Warrior. Boltman explains that this was never an issue in San Diego. “It’s a new stadium, new policy” the guard explains.
As they are being detained in the concourse the guard tells them this is Stub Hub policy. He tries to say it is explained on the website. That is not true. The Stub Hub website for attire is explained as ” Management reserves the right to deny entry to guests wearing clothing items displaying offensive language and/or images. guests wearing clothing deemed inappropiate by building management will be denied access to the facility.”
Now several guards surround Boltman as the security supervisor explains what is policy even though it’s not posted anywhere. A venue can’t make up rules as you go along and expect not to have issues arise. The guard clearly becomes frustrated and leaves Boltman with 2 options. ” Take the mask off and stay or be ejected.”
It’s important to realize that if they knew anything about Chargers history. His original costume is displayed at the Hall of Fans in Canton, Ohio at the Pro football Hall of Fame. He has been the unofficial mascot for the Chargers for generations. With that knowledge maybe they would have handled the situation differently. Instead they call the LA Sheriff Dept to escort Boltman in his costume out of the venue. A few minutes later a man runs up and talks to the Sheriff deputy. Boltman is then released from the conversation that now involves several guards and 2 sheriff deputies.
He was free to go watch the game in costume and proceeded to pump up the crowd that was in attendance against the division rival Chiefs.
However, afterwards the Chargers made it clear what Boltman role is moving forward. “We have no interest in working with Boltman. We don’t see a future with the team and Boltman. Next time, he won’t get a break.”
Boltman real life name is Dan Jauregui. He has had a love hate relationship with the team during the 22 year relationship. In 1997, he claimed he had a deal with the team to reimburse him for the uniform at a later date. That resulted in Dan suing the team for costs and legal fees. During Save Our Bolts he attended public forums and private meetings with the Mayor of San Diego. After they relocated he looked into suing the team for Anti Trust violations.
But the FightForLa apparently has no interest in forgiving the San Diego icon. He can no longer roam the games to pump up the crowd and pictures with the kids in uniform. His legacy much like the Chargers in San Diego has ended and the team has no interest nor do they see a future with that relationship. Chargers new spokesman Josh Rupprecht seemed more hopeful. “Initial reports to our security seemed to be inaccurate.” Josh apologized for the confusion caused by the videotape. There seems to be a violation of policy upon entry.
Dan Says “If the team having trouble putting butts in the seats and the stands are full of opposing fans you would think they would encourage the support. . I’m love the Chargers. I’m going to stay a fan. But I’m a San Diego Charger fan.”
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