While trying to break up an argument at the game, NFL fans had their “world turned upside down” after being attacked.
The Gonzalez family attended their first NFL game on September 22, hoping for a fun experience.
Instead, they encountered violence that changed their lives forever.
Wenceslao and Lindsey Gonzalez, along with their daughter, went to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to watch the Dallas Cowboys play the Baltimore Ravens.
Lindsey had gifted her husband the tickets for his birthday, but the night quickly turned into a nightmare.
A desperate attempt to help
As they left the game, the family noticed a young woman in distress.
She was sobbing and appeared frightened, being shouted at by a man.
Lindsey and Wenceslao felt compelled to intervene, hoping to help.
Unfortunately, the situation escalated quickly when the man turned his aggression toward Wenceslao.
Lindsey recalled trying to separate the two when suddenly the man punched her husband in the face.
The next thing she remembered was waking up in a hospital bed.
Severe injurief and ongoing recovery
Witnesses, including Lindsey’s daughter, reported seeing the man punch her, knocking her unconscious.
He then continued the assault by kicking her in the face.
Lindsey suffered serious injuries: a fractured nose in several places, a broken jaw on the left side, and a total of twelve facial fractures.
Despite doctors’ efforts to repair her injuries with four metal plates, they fear she may never look the same.
Wenceslao also faced injuries. He suffered torn ligaments in his leg and underwent surgery on October 3.
Following the attack, Arlington police arrested Rafael Ramirez and charged him with two counts of assault causing bodily harm.
A Permanent impact on their lives
Lindsey expressed her feelings about the incident, stating, “I don’t wish bad upon anybody, but I want him to pay for what he’s done.”
The violence has left her hesitant to return to a Dallas Cowboys game.
She acknowledged that while their world has been turned upside down, she feels a sense of purpose. If their actions saved the young woman from further harm, then it was worth it.
Emma Hernandez, a witness who also tried to intervene, added, “If he could do this to people who just walked by and said something… who knows what he was doing to her?”
The Gonzalez family’s first NFL game became a traumatic experience that altered their lives.
As they navigate recovery, their story serves as a reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise in everyday situations.
Their bravery in intervening highlights the importance of standing up for others, even in the face of violence.