Did the Giants Fan Beaten at Dodger Stadium Incite the Attack?

Nothing can excuse the brutal attack on San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow following the opening day game at Dodger Stadium, but new video and witness statements have emerged that may suggest that Stow was involved in altercations with Dodger fans during the game:

A Los Angeles Dodgers fan claims a San Francisco Giants fan who was brutally beaten at Dodgers stadium on opening day was acting out during the game.

Juan Banda told TMZ Monday that Bryan Stow was inciting Dodgers fans by screaming, "I [sic] rather eat my own feces than eat a Dodger dog."

Banda says he told Stow he was crossing the line with his comments.

"Told him (Stow) it was one thing to root for your team, but you are crossing the line. He didn't say much. Neither him or his buddies who were with him."

Banda told TMZ that Stow "did have a mouth."

"Maybe he said the wrong thing to the wrong guys."

Los Angeles police are examining the video that TMZ posted Monday showing Stow and Banda having words with each other.

The video shows a man in a blue Dodgers hat and jersey pointing a finger at someone in a black and orange shirt who resembles Bryan Stow. The man is a foot or two away. The hands of the man in the black shirt are up defensively. The Dodgers fan then curses in Spanish and turns away.

Unfortunately, Stow was injured so badly he cannot speak in his own defense. We may never know exactly what happened that day.

I can tell you from experience that Dodger fans can be hard to be around if you're a fan of their opponent. The most fight-filled game I ever saw was a game between the Dodgers and the Angels that was played at Angel Stadium. There were fights in the stands throughout the game, and we almost walked right into a brawl as we headed out to the main corridor. Fists were flying between several Dodger fans and stadium security. It was kind of an ugly night.