LA Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner annihilates animal-rights activist who invaded playing field during game — and everybody loves the hit



Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner absolutely leveled an animal-rights activist who made the mistake of running onto the playing field during Monday night's football game against the San Francisco 49ers — and getting a tad too close to the Rams' sideline.

What happened?

The activist ran onto the field during the second quarter — with a device emitting pink smoke — and was successfully evading security personnel, one of whom slipped and fell in the process.

But Wagner is paid big money for not missing moving objects on the field — and he clobbered this guy for free.

As the woke demonstrator skirted near the Rams' sideline, Wagner emerged and put a full-speed lick on the interloper, who immediately collapsed to the turf.

Image source: YouTube screenshot, composite

Fellow Rams linebacker Takkarist McKinley assisted, ESPN said.

Peyton and Eli Manning sure enjoyed it:

Bobby Wagner tackles fan that ran onto field | NFL on ESPN youtu.be

"Yes! That's what we're talkin' about!" Peyton Manning shouted while punching the air during a replay of Wagner's hit.

What did Wagner have to say?

Wagner told ESPN that he was intent on "keeping it safe" for those around him.

"You don't know what that fan got or what they're doing," he added to the sports network. "You see it all the time, and we don't know what they're carrying in their pockets. It's whatever that little smoke stuff is, but that s**t could be dangerous. One of the guys on the other side, it looked like he got hurt, and security looked like he was struggling, so I was frustrated, so I took it out on him."

Here's a look from a few other angles; onlookers were pleased:

Bobby Wagner tackles fan on the field (fan angles) youtu.be

49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan enjoyed Wagner's hit as well. "I saw Bobby Wagner take somebody out," he told ESPN. "That was kind of cool to see."

The Rams lost to the 49ers, 24-9.

What's the story with the demonstration?

Direct Action Everywhere appeared to take responsibility for the demonstration, Fox News reported.

Two activists were identified as Alex Taylor and Allison Fluty, both of whom are from the Bay Area, Fox News added. Direct Action Everywhere tweeted a photo of the pair wearing "RightToRescue.com" T-shirts and holding their citations, noting that Taylor is the activist whom Wagner tackled:

\u201cRELEASED: Alex and Allison, the 2 activists who disrupted tonight\u2019s NFL game, have been released from police custody. Alex, who was tackled by Bobby Wagner, has a burn on his arm. Otherwise, they\u2019re a bit beaten up but in good spirits.\u201d
— Direct Action Everywhere (@Direct Action Everywhere) 1664852554

Direct Action Everywhere said in a press release that two of its investigators, Paul Darwin Picklesimer and Wayne Hsiung, were charged with multiple felonies for "rescuing" piglets in 2017 from Circle Four Farms, which is owned by Smithfield Foods, Fox News said.

"Smithfield will do anything to shield its abuses and protect its profits," Taylor said in a news release, according to the cable network. "We must take action to stop the violence and create a better future for us all."

Biden: 'Good chance' that 'small groups' of Americans can gather by Fourth of July



President Joe Biden announced a series of plans for the continued fight against COVID-19 during his first primetime speech to the nation Thursday night, saying there is a "good chance" Americans will be able to gather in "small groups" by the Fourth of July.

As part of his agenda, Biden is directing every state to make coronavirus vaccines available to all adults by May 1.

What are the details?

The president said that he is "directing all states, tribes, and territories to make all adults eligible to be vaccinated no later than May 1," and his administration is launching a new website that will assist citizens in making appointments for getting the shots.

"The U.S. is expecting delivery of enough doses for those 255 million adults by the end of that month, but the process of actually administering those doses will take time," the Associated Press reported.

'"A July 4th with your loved ones is the goal," Biden said in his speech, adding that every American's assistance is needed in continuing to wear masks, socially distancing, and listening to Dr. Anthony Fauci.

.@POTUS: If everyone follows protocols and gets vaccinated and LISTENS TO DR. FAUCI, we will all have the chance to… https://t.co/ipxD1NBjLS
— Pod Save America (@Pod Save America)1615512217.0

That message was reiterated by White House chief staff Ron Klain, who told CNN, "This is a whole of country effort. The president's deploying our entire government to do its part. The American people are going to have to do their part, too."

According to The New York Times:

Mr. Biden announced a series of new actions to speed up vaccinations, including new federal mass vaccination sites, an expanded partnership with pharmacies to distribute the vaccine, and the use of dentists, veterinarians, medical students and others to actually deliver the shots.

Biden stated that as of Thursday, 527,726 Americans had died from COVID-19, which is "more deaths than WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War and 9/11 combined."

Anything else?

The president's address came hours after he signed a huge $1.9 trillion spending package billed as COVID-19 relief, which he said in his speech could "cut child poverty in half."

The legislation, dubbed the "American Rescue Plan," was passed without the support of a single GOP lawmaker. Two earlier coronavirus spending packages were passed with bipartisan support under President Donald Trump.

Democrats have hailed the latest legislation as a lifeline that will boost the economy, but Republicans argue the bill does little to fight the pandemic and is largely a pork-filled vehicle for fulfilling leftist wishes while further driving up the national debt.

Sen. Josh Hawley to call for 'up or down vote' on second round of direct checks to Americans



Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley has vowed to ask Friday for an "up or down vote" in the upper chamber over a proposal to issue a second round of direct payments to Americans as part of another COVID-19 relief package.

The senator's declaration comes as Congress runs up against a deadline to decide on a deal ahead of their Christmas break after months of negotiating.

What are the details?

"Tomorrow I will go to the Senate floor to ask for an up or down vote on my bill to provide a direct payment of $1200 to working Americans, $2400 for couples, $500 for kids," Hawley tweeted Thursday. "This is the #covid relief working families need."

Tomorrow I will go to the Senate floor to ask for an up or down vote on my bill to provide a direct payment of $120… https://t.co/uf72lykwuQ
— Josh Hawley (@Josh Hawley)1608235476.0

The day before, Hawley said from the Senate floor, "I'm not interested in stimulus, I'm interested in helping working people survive and help them to get back up on their feet so they can manage their own lives. That's why the need is so great."

He argued in a tweet, "Working people don't want pity. They want help - to get back on their feet & provide for their families. That's what #covid direct assistance is about. And I won't let the Senate leave for Christmas until direct help is on the way."

The Missouri Republican has been pushing adamantly for direct payments to individuals and families as a priority, after previous proposals omitted such checks while including benefits for companies and bailout funds for state and local governments.

Hawley even teamed with far-left Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in pushing their colleagues to include direct checks, in a pairing The Hill called "Congress's latest couple" while pointing out that the two Senators are typically on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to policy.

How are negotiations going?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said from the Senate floor Thursday that a "bipartisan, bicameral agreement appears to be close at hand" on a package projected to be around $900 billion. McConnell told the upper chamber, "We're going to stay right here, right here, until we're finished. Even if that means working through the weekend, which is highly likely."

ABC News reported:

While a COVID-19 relief deal still must be finalized, it's expected to include $300 billion for the small business loan program, money for vaccine distribution and testing, education funds, and up to $600 in one-time direct payments for Americans on a sliding scale depending on income levels.