
Source: Jason Miller / Getty
Legalizing sports betting has made the game more competitive for fans, but also more dangerous.
It’s given fans more confidence to say disrespectful things to athletes, and one of them messed around and found out, Bradley Beal isn’t the person to heckle.
The Washington Wizards’ guard is under police investigation after an altercation with some hecklers following his team’s 122-112 loss to the Orlando Magic while on the road Tuesday, March 21.
According to TMZ, it began after the final buzzer sounded and he was walking down the tunnel to the locker room at Amway Center when one guy yelled, “You f-cked me [out of] $1,300, you f-ck!”
The comment was likely in reference to sports betting, and Beal reacted by knocking the fan’s hat off his head and called the comment “disrespectful.”
“Keep it a buck. I don’t give a f-ck about none of your bets or your parlays, bro,” Beal said to the group. “That ain’t why I play the game.”
The fan who was talking smack went to the police, who noted that Beal could be charged with simple battery.
Investigators say the phone video footage shows the entire heated exchange which lasted around 50 seconds before Beal was whisked away.
The Wizards have since released a statement on Beal’s involvement but are awaiting more details.
“We are aware of the situation regarding Bradley Beal in Orlando but won’t have further comment until we’ve gathered more information,” the franchise said.
Since 2018, sports betting has been made legal in 33 states and counting, leading to fans becoming more overzealous and cocky enough to approach players like 6 foot 4 Beal.
See how Twitter’s reacting to Beal’s heated exchange over sports betting below.
1.
That shit wit Bradley Beal & That Fan is exactly why this sports betting shit gone get somebody seriously hurt or killed.. I can see it.. Fans gone really think they entitledto say whatever cause of sports betting rightnow
— NardoRay (@RealNardoRay) March 28, 2023
2.
Me and the boys going under on Bradley Beal every night pic.twitter.com/dKLGhzJdyn
— NewMediaSports (@NewMediaSports_) March 22, 2023
3.
At least he didn’t pull a Gilbert Arenas, whom I still love and thought he had an amazing run with a uniquely electric game, but, you know, no gunsies in the locker room. So, at least it wasn’t that.
— THEJOHNiVERSE (@THEJOHNiVERSE) March 28, 2023
4.
Don’t blame athletes because you can’t bet responsibly. He is betting $1300 when he probably only has/had $1400 to his name. YOU CAN ONLY BLAME YOURSELF WHEN YOU HIT SUBMIT. https://t.co/KtYEDReKCQ
— Nickspicks (@Nickthepicker) March 28, 2023
5.
The problem is sports gambling. https://t.co/JFsYEOwPhQ
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) March 28, 2023
6.
legalizing sports gambling has ruined sports fandom so much lmfao https://t.co/2xxniAkKnX
— morrow (@garfshots) March 28, 2023
7.
Went to a game this year with someone who told me they can’t watch basketball without betting on it
Don’t think people get the extent to which this is going to change the sport and create the risk for addiction https://t.co/8ZywtE2YPC
— Pascal Propaganda (@PascalFanClub) March 28, 2023
8.
can we lobby AP / Reuters to change “fans” to “gamblers” in the guidebook here? https://t.co/GrbulE32Dw
— Louis Zatzman (@LouisZatzman) March 28, 2023
9.
When you place a bet you need to take responsability. Its gambling. There are no locks. Even if you are tailing somebody good YOU are choosing to put YOUR money at risk when you bet. Own up. Dont do this shit.
(I know this doesnt apply to 90% of my followers but gotta say it) https://t.co/ddz3pVziQe
— Clint MacLean (@DieHardMMAPod) March 28, 2023
10.
11.
Bradley Beal knocks hat off fan:
The fan: https://t.co/pvWhwvGWpD pic.twitter.com/zvFc95vh8o
— Tyler (@TylerB71993) March 28, 2023
12.
This is a non issue, but it just adds to a frustrating year for Beal. In his first season since signing a $250 million contract, he’s appeared in just 50 games, is likely to miss the final 10 games, and averaged his lowest scoring output since 2018-19. Not ideal to say the least. https://t.co/qTevud7f4X
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) March 28, 2023
13.
Come on yo. Even if you don’t fw Brad, fans need to chill out w sht like this. https://t.co/0DrhqqCZ25
— Les Wizarables (@PointWizards) March 28, 2023
14.
If you heckle athletes over bets, you’re a loser. https://t.co/SMVGyrz8Bn
— Chris Manning (@cwmwrites) March 28, 2023
15.
Fucking garbage, stop bothering players with your shitty ass parlays that nobody cares about. https://t.co/GdeprHlwZL
— modest wizards fan (@ihatecasuals1) March 28, 2023
16.
wtf are you doing betting on bradley beal in the first place https://t.co/7ABNu8ftFA
— Reggie Saxx (@ReggiSaxx) March 28, 2023
17.
Me if Bradley Beal knocked my hat off: pic.twitter.com/0S4yUXwp08
— Carlton Banks’ Burner (@cbanksburner) March 28, 2023
18.
How the fan told the Police the way Bradley Beal knocked his hat off: pic.twitter.com/R0xOaDOIDU
— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) March 28, 2023