National Football League

Jets' Ellis sued over snowball incident

Published Dec. 20, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis has been sued over a 2008 incident in which he allegedly threw a large snowball at a football fan's face, TMZ reported Monday.

According to the lawsuit, Ellis "stopped, picked up a large block or chunk of packed snow ... and threw it into the crowd" following a 2008 game against the Seattle Seahawks that saw the Jets eliminated from the playoffs. The snowball struck a man named Robert Larson in the face.

Larson alleges that Ellis targeted him with the snowball because he was waving a pro-Seahawks sign, which can be seen in a YouTube video of the incident. He is seeking undisclosed damages for physical injury, humiliation, mental distress, pain and loss of wages.

Ellis, who was selected 12th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, was arrested in December 2008 for possession of marijuana, driving without insurance and speeding after a traffic stop in New Jersey.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection is tied for second on the Jets defense with 4.5 sacks this season.