BOTHELL, Wash. (KGO) -- A parent involved in a fight during a youth football game that's gained national attention is apologizing but deflecting some of the blame as well.
Christina Van Ruiten is one of the people involved in the brawl at a game between 9 and 10 year olds in a Seattle suburb on October 4.
Van Ruiten was patrolling the sidelines as a volunteer field manager when she confronted what she said was an unruly fan who was yelling at referees.
The situation escalated, and Van Ruiten said she felt threatened.
"By her language, by her tone, by her attitude, it was obvious there was a threat here. She leaned into me, chest to chest, hard, pushing up against me. And that's when I put my arms up and pushed her back, said, 'Back off.'" Van Ruiten said.
Van Ruiten said she wishes she would have done a few things differently but also blames league officials.
She said she received no instruction on how to deal with unruly fans.
Van Ruiten and other parents now face the possibility of criminal assault charges.
The kids have been penalized, too. Each team was banned from postseason play.