The 49ers’ 38-17 win over the Raiders on Sunday came with a messy backdrop at Levi’s Stadium, where the first meeting between the teams there since 2018 turned ugly in the stands and parking lots.
By the end of the day, 32 arrests had been made, including multiple counts of assault, after tensions spilled well beyond the field. The rivalry between the fan bases has long carried friction, and that history brought a heavier security presence because of the risk of fights in the seating areas and concourses. Even so, Sunday produced far more violence than anyone wanted to see.
New video captured one of the worst scenes high in the stadium. It appears to begin with a San Francisco fan pointing in the face of a Las Vegas fan.
The Raiders supporter, wearing a Bowers jersey, then shoves the other man as both get to their feet. A punch to the face and the grabbing that followed sent both men tumbling down several rows of seats.
More punches flew as nearby fans scrambled to get clear of the chaos.
People around the fight tried to step in, but the violence kept going. There were no visible signs of security in the moment, and the brawls did not end there. More Raiders and 49ers fans were later knocked out in the parking lot.
Not every fight can be prevented. When it does happen, the job is to identify the people who broke the law and make sure they’re held accountable.
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