Former Florida State star, Senator introduces Bill to prevent fans from rushing fields, additional protections

If passed, the bill would go into place in October of this year.

Florida State concluded a nine-win regular season with an electric 45-38 victory against rival Florida on Black Friday. The Seminoles trailed on three separate occasions in the first half before taking control in the third quarter and surviving on the back of Trey Benson's game-winning touchdown in the final minutes.

Following the game, fans stormed the field in Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time in 26 years. It wasn't just about beating the Gators, it was a cathartic celebration of the program's best campaign in years and sign of what was to come under Mike Norvell in the future.

READ MORE: Urban Meyer names Florida State as one of the top jobs in all of College Football

That moment might be the last time that Bobby Bowden Field is rushed for the foreseeable future.

Earlier this week, former Florida State star and recently elected Republican State Senator, Corey Simon, introduced Senate Bill 764, which is summarized below.

"An act relating to interference with sporting or entertainment events; creating s. 871.05, F.S.; defining terms; prohibiting certain actions during covered sporting and entertainment events; providing criminal penalties; prohibiting a person from profiting or benefitting from violations; providing for forfeiture and distribution of profits from a violation; providing an effective date."

The bill would make it a first-degree misdemeanor, which provides a fine of up to $2,500 and/or carries up to a year in jail if a person knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a "covered area" in a stadium, artistic, theatrical, or other entertainment performance event where an athletic event or practice is being conducted. The "covered area" is defined as “any area designated for use by players, coaches, officials, performers, or personnel administering a covered event that is on, or adjacent to, the area of performance or play.”

SB 764 would apply the same penalties to any person who intentionally place, drop, toss, or hurl any subject, object, or dangerous instrument during a "covered event" or at anyone participating in the event. The bill also covers penalties against a person who strikes, slaps, kicks, or subjects a covered participant to physical contact or contact with a subject, object, or dangerous instrument.

The entire text of the bill can be viewed HERE. An identical bill was introduced by Republican Representative Taylor Yarkosky in the House of Representatives, which was filed in January.

There's important language to note in both bills that would effectively elimate rushing the field at schools in the state of Florida. It surrounds the duration of the "covered event" which currently state it extends until the venue closes after the conclusion of the event. 

"The duration of such event includes the period from the opening of the venue’s gates to the public to the closing of the gates after the event."

That might not be a problem in Gainesville as Florida has never rushed the field in the history of the program. However, Tallahassee (1996, 2022) and Miami (1998) might want a word.

If passed SB 764/and or HB 319 would go into place on October 1, 2023. 

Last week, Simon was a supporter of House Bill 7-B, which was proposed to revise the current NIL laws in the state. The bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, paving the way for a decision from Governor Ron DeSantis.

Simon was a consensus All-American in 1999 when he helped guide the Seminoles to the program's second national championship. That season, he recorded 84 tackles and led the ACC with 21 tackles for loss. He recorded a career-high 10 tackles in a 17-14 victory at Clemson and made an interception and blocked a punt in FSU’s 35-10 win at Virginia. Simon finished his colege career with 193 tackles, including 11.0 quarterback sacks, 44.0 for loss, three forced fumbles, nine pass breakups and one interception. He was inducted into the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Following his time at Florida State, he was selected sixth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named to the NFL's All-Rookie Team in 2000 and selected to the 2003 Pro Bowl. Simon started in four NFC Championship games with Philadelphia and won Super Bowl XLI during his time with the Indianapolis Colts.

In his eight years in the NFL, Simon appeared in 95 games, with 91 starts, totaling 251 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 32 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 14 pass deflections.

READ MORE: Florida State's full 2023 football schedule released

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