A Philadelphia Eagles fan who was caught in on video verbally abusing a female fan has been fired from his job after he was outed as a business analyst working for a management consultancy that focusses on implementing DEI strategies.
Ryan Caldwell – who used the pronouns ‘they/them’ to describe his employment background – was seen on viral video referring to a female Packers fan as an ‘ugly, dumb c***’.
The 45-year-old worked for BCT Partners based in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The company boasts on their site they ‘harness the power of diversity, insights and innovation to transform lives’.
The firm has since denounced the behavior caught on camera at the NFL payoff game.
After an investigation was launched, the company concluded that they ‘decided to part company with the employee.’
In a statement released on Tuesday night, the company condemned Caldwell’s actions ‘without condemning the individual.’
BCT Partners said: ‘This individual’s conduct and language were vile, disgusting, unacceptable, and horrific and have no place in our workplace and society. Such conduct is not who we are and not what we stand for.’
The couple who had the grotesque language hurled at them told NBC10: ‘He was just going on and on and on. He wanted something out of us.’
‘So, I turned around, because I kind of had enough of it at this point, and I said, ‘Well, maybe you should go back to third grade then because it seems like you’re the one with the bad attitude. And it seems like all the fans around us are the ones with the bad attitudes.’
‘I was I guess trying to stay calm but I was pretty fuming at that point and just hopeful that another fan would tell this guy to stop. And everyone just kind of stood around and I guess allowed him to call me that name,’ they added.
Footage of Caldwell’s foul-mouthed rant was shared online as the Eagles cruised to a 22-10 win over the Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
Packers fan Alexander Basara had shared the disgusting exchange between his fiancée and Caldwell to X, with internet sleuths quickly tracking Caldwell down.
Basara said: ‘What it’s like going to Philly just trying to root for your team.
‘Unprovoked, uncalled for.
‘Packers twitter, help me out and find this guy, this is not okay I hate that my fiancé had this happen simply cheering for her team.’
Caldwell addressed Basara directly, saying: ‘Are you going to do anything?’ he asks the man as he tries to step in. ‘Then shut the f*** up.’
Caldwell is seen shouting at the woman – who is wearing a Packers beanie – from his seat in the row behind.
After a play is reviewed by officials, he is heard taunting the couple. ‘It’s not a touchdown, so you don’t jerk off c*** in the air.’
Basara responded: ‘Ok, well don’t call her a dumb c***.’, which prompts an angry response from Caldwell.
He snaps back: ‘She’s an ugly, dumb c***. You gonna do anything?’, while Basara’s fiancée pretended to cry and taunted him adding: ‘I’m ugly, I’m so hurt.’
After Caldwell was exposed online, he quickly deleted his X profile and has LinkedIn profile disappeared in a similar fashion.
Longtime NFL reporter Derrick Gunn has since reported that Caldwell is to be permanently banned from Lincoln Financial Field.
Gunn said that the woman involved in the video will be receiving merch from the Packers alongside an apology from the Eagles.
Fans have since rallied around the couple and condemned Caldwell for his shocking behavior.
‘Sorry this happened man, someone should’ve reported this as verbal abuse and got him kicked out of the stadium,’ one person wrote.
‘I’ve been to 15+ games as a road fan and never seen anything this bad but only went to Philly once when I was like 10 so didn’t get harassed.’
‘Respect to you, Alexander,’ another added. ‘If that were my wife, I’d probably be leaving in handcuffs.
‘Switching seats with her might’ve been a smart move too, but hats off to you for keeping your cool under the circumstances.’
In a statement, BCT Partners said: ‘BCT Partners denounces this type of behavior, and we take this matter extremely seriously.
‘The conduct displayed was completely unacceptable and stands in direct opposition to our company values.
‘We have already begun a full investigation as an internal personnel matter to determine what actions will be taken.
‘We sincerely apologize to everyone affected by this behavior and remain committed to fostering a culture of respect for all.’
