FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Authorities are investigating the death of a New Hampshire father who died after an “accident” in the stands during Sunday night’s New England Patriots-Miami Dolphins game at Gillette Stadium.
The man suffered an “apparent medical incident” in Section 308/309 of the stadium during the fourth quarter of the game around 11 p.m., according to Massachusetts State Police. He was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.
The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office later identified the man as 53-year-old Dale Mooney, of Newmarket, New Hampshire.
Mooney’s wife, Lisa, told Boston 25 News that her husband was a lifelong Patriots fan and had been a season ticket holder for 30 years. She also described him as a “good father” to their two adult sons.
Lisa Mooney says her husband traveled to Foxborough from their home and attended the Patriots-Dolphins game with friends. She says she was told her husband was taunted by several Dolphins fans during the game, which led to an alleged physical altercation in the 300 section of the stadium.
Video sent to Boston 25 News shows stadium security moving to break up an apparent fight before Mooney was knocked unconscious.
Witness Joey Kilmartin said: “It looked like people were grabbing and pulling each other at first, and at some point the man in the Dolphins shirt punched the victim twice in the face and that’s when the victim fell into his seat unconscious.”
Kilmartin recorded the commotion that occurred four rows behind him and shared it with investigators immediately after it happened.
“The guy with the Dolphins shirt was stopped by the police, and then everyone noticed something was wrong after a minute or so, and the guy didn’t make any movement, and he didn’t really seem to be breathing,” Kilmartin said.
Lisa says she believes the footage taken at Gillette will prove her husband never threw a single punch.
Sources told Boston 25 News that investigators are now awaiting the medical examiner’s results to help determine whether that encounter played a role in Mooney’s death.
The DA’s office said there are no charges applied at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates when more information is available.
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