Eagles fan who verbally abused female Packers supporter in viral video fired from his job at firm
'In keeping with our company values, which are firmly centred on respect, dignity, and inclusion, we have decided to part company with the employee'
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It’s hard to argue that the fan who verbally abused a woman at Sunday’s Philadelphia Eagles game didn’t get what was coming to him.
On the surface, it might seem harsh for the man in question to lose his job, but you have to consider his employer – a management consulting firm focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
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And the comments that he made about the woman, a Green Bay Packers supporter, were not in the least bit inclusive.
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In the viral video, which was posted early Monday by Alexander Basara and viewed more than 30 million times on X as of Wednesday morning, the Eagles fan was seen repeatedly insulting Basara’s fiancee.
“What it’s like going to Philly just trying to root for your team …” Basara captioned the post.
“Unprovoked, uncalled for. Packers twitter, help me out and find this guy … this is not okay.
“I hate that my fiance had this happen simply cheering for her team.”
In the video, Basara can be heard responding to the fan, telling the man wearing a green Eagles jacket to not call his fiancee vulgar names.
“She’s an ugly, dumb c—,” the Eagles fan replies. “You gonna do anything? Shut the f— up and watch the game.”
Basara and his fiancee took the abuse in stride.
At one point in the clip, she says, “I’m ugly,” while pretending to cry. “I’m so hurt.”
Basra also explained in a post on X that he wanted no part in a physical altercation as he was in a “hostile” situation.
“It was a tough situation,” he wrote on X. “Surrounded by hostile people including 2 of his buddy’s (one his brother). If I got physical there was no good ending there.”
The identity of the Eagles fan in question was confirmed by the New York Post to be Ryan Caldwell, an employee of BCT Partners, which is based in East Brunswick, NJ.
On Tuesday night, BCT announced the firing in a statement, saying the firm had concluded an internal investigation and “decided to part company with the employee.”
While BCT Partners condemned Caldwell’s actions, it did so “without condemning the individual.”
“In keeping with our company values, which are firmly centered on respect, dignity, and inclusion, we have decided to part company with the employee. This separation is effective immediately,” the statement from the company read. “We condemn our former employee’s conduct in the strongest possible terms. This individual’s conduct and language were vile, disgusting, unacceptable, and horrific and have no place in our workplace and society. Such conduct is not who we are and not what we stand for.
“At the same time, again to be true to our values, we can condemn the actions without condemning the individual. None of us deserve to be remembered for actions taken on our worst day. We have offered grace and support to our former employee.”
The Eagles already had taken action against Caldwell, banning him from attending games at Lincoln Financial Field.
According to reports, Dom DiSandro – who serves as the Eagles chief security officer, among roles – identified the man involved and came down hard.
“Big Dom has identified the guy and woman involved in this incident,” Derrick Gunn reported on X. “The guy will be banned from future Eagles games … the Eagles will be sending the woman Packers gear as an apology.
“Eagles once again showing what a class organization they are.”
A group claiming to represent Ryan Caldwell issued a statement on his behalf on Wednesday afternoon, apologizing for his actions.
“While attending an NFL game last Sunday to support my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, an incident occurred that I deeply regret,” the statement read. “What began as banter with two Packers fans sitting near me escalated to something more serious and I said things that were unacceptable.
“In the heat of the moment, I chose unforgiving words to address one of the fans, Ms. Ally Keller. I want to sincerely apologize to Ms. Keller for those words, and to my wife, family, and friends, my former employer and colleagues, Packer fans, Eagle fans, the Philadelphia Eagles, the City of Philadelphia, and all who were offended.”
The statement also claimed that Caldwell was “not without provocation” but that he will live this experience.
“That said, there are two sides to every story. The video clip circulating online does not reflect the full context of what transpired, and my actions were not without provocation. I will live with this experience, and I am certainly paying a personal price.
“For those who don’t know me, this incident does not reflect my values or the respect I have for others and is not indicative of the person I am.”
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