Security Guard swipes John 3:16 banner as Ohio State-Siena game heads into OT

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Did anyone else notice the security guard take the "John 3:16" banner from a fan at the Ohio State-Siena game in Dayton as it was headed into overtime? There will likely be other blogs and reports about it, but it's worth mentioning here for those who might want to Tevo the moment. It's after the second half ends in 56-56 tie but before the first commercial.

UPDATE:

Siena prevailed 74-72 in double overtime on the clutch shooting of 5-foot-11 inch guard Ronald Moore, who hit three-pointers in the closing seconds of each overtime period to lead 9-seed Siena to victory over 8-seed Ohio State in the Midwest region.

During the overtime periods, "John 3:16" signs could be seen on display on at least two occasions without visible interference from security personnel. What was striking to The Punditty Project about the removal of the banner after regulation play was the decisiveness with which the guard moved in to swipe it.

Say what you will about the ramifications for freedom of speech or freedom of religion, but for anyone teaching a class on how to successfully "liberate" a banner from a protester or a bearer of Good News, this is a move worth seeing.

If further developments warrant, this story will be updated over the weekend.

SIDEBAR:

John 3:16 Wikipedia entry on this Bible verse.

John 3:16, New Living translation:

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have Eternal Life."