Video shows scuffle between fan, security at Levi's Stadium

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- A University of Oregon fan was caught on video during a scuffle with security officers Friday night at Levi's Stadium. Police say that fan was belligerent and drunk and assaulted one of the guards.

The incident happened during halftime at the Pac-12 championship game between the Oregon Ducks and Arizona Wildcats.

An Oregon fan identified by police as 44-year-old Mark Lydon got into an altercation with a security guard who's an off-duty Santa Clara police officer. A person nearby took video when the guard tried to arrest the Eugene, Oregon resident.

The bystander said, "Whoa, whoa! Leave him alone," as the crowd started chanting, "He's not fighting back!"

At least one officer began hitting the man with his baton. While other officers got involved to try to subdue him. The video shows one wrap his arm around the man's neck, trying to bring him down. The officer shown in the video with the baton broke it while hitting his leg.

Tap to watch if you're viewing on the news app. (Warning: Video contains graphic language.)

After an intense struggle, Lydon was finally forced to the ground and put in handcuffs.

"It accelerated so fast," said witness Jesse Santamaria in a phone interview. "I don't even think the security guard or the gentlemen involved knew what was going on. It was just more defense on defense mode."

That's what you saw on the video. What you didn't see was what started the altercation. Police say Lydon was with a crowd exiting from the stands to the concourse during halftime. They say he got into an argument with a guest services staffer, and that he was agitated and appeared drunk.

"He became belligerent, used profanity, and our officers were forced to intercede, " said Lt. Kurte Clarke. "And our officers attempted to calm him down and he wouldn't listen to our officers.."

The lieutenant adds that Lydon pushed an officer twice during his attempt to calm him down.

The Santa Clara Police Department says officers used sufficient force to make the arrest. They say Lydon is extremely strong, he's 5-feet-11-inches, and weighs 240 pounds.

Lydon is charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police office. He declined to talk to ABC7 News about the incident.