Arizona State mascot sends fan to hospital

Arizona State has issued an apology to Tempe city councilman David Schapira, who landed back in the hospital as a result of the “excessive exuberance” displayed by the school’s mascot, Sparky, at last week’s game against New Mexico. Sparky saw a man posing for a picture along the Sun Devil Stadium sideline, ran at him full-tilt, and leapt aboard his back.

In Sparky’s defense, he couldn’t have known that Schapira, 35, a longtime elected official, was still recovering from back surgery performed two months ago. Another picture captured both Schapira and Sparky when they realized what happened. Sparky was just trying to make a friend, but it came at a cost. The second, just moments before, involved Schapira putting down his cane.

Based on his timeline, it appears Schapira was out of the hospital by Tuesday.

“I sort of sniggered to start with, after that my word changes to trepidation because i undergone that in fact pop”, Schapira instructed Mastening numbers 15.

The councilman is back on medical leave from work and in physical therapy.

Schapira has taught at ASU and been a state representative and a state senator, all jobs that require patience and the ability to get over yourself.