What began as a normal workday turned into a terrifying ordeal for a teenage fan of the San Francisco 49ers, targeted simply for wearing a red jersey in public.
The incident unfolded inside a laundromat in Pomona, California, where a 17-year-old employee was confronted by an agitated man who became enraged after noticing the teen wearing 49ers colors on the day of a playoff game.
According to security footage and witness accounts, the man initially shouted at the teen to remove the jersey before leaving the building, only to return moments later wielding a machete.
The suspect smashed through a glass door to re-enter the laundromat, narrowly missing bystanders, then chased the teen through the business while swinging the weapon and threatening customers.
Panic erupted inside the laundromat as people fled for safety. The teen managed to escape without physical injury, though the emotional toll was immediate and severe.
The attacker fled the scene before police arrived. No arrests had been made in the days following the incident, leaving the local community shaken by the randomness and brutality of the encounter.
As the story spread, outrage and concern rippled through the NFL fanbase. The idea that a teenager could be attacked simply for wearing a football jersey struck a nerve far beyond California.
Among those moved by the incident was Brock Purdy. The 49ers quarterback personally reached out to the teen and his family, arranging a meeting to offer encouragement and support.
During the visit, Purdy spent time speaking with the teen and presented him with a No. 12 49ers jersey signed by players on the team, turning a moment of fear into one of connection and reassurance.
The gesture resonated deeply with fans, highlighting the human side of professional sports and the responsibility players feel toward the communities they represent.
In a season that ended painfully on the field for San Francisco, Purdy’s actions off it served as a powerful reminder: loyalty to a team should never invite violence, and sometimes the most meaningful wins come far from the scoreboard.
