The Moosehead Grill in Charlotte, N.C., played host to some staggering jackassery this past Sunday. Garrett Carnes, a Marine veteran who lost both of his legs in Afghanistan, stopped at the restaurant with his wife Courtney and other family members after attending the Cowboys-Panthers game. Things had grown ugly before Carnes, who was wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey, even got into the restaurant. From WCNC Charlotte:
"Courtney was the first one out of the vehicle, and while she was getting Garrett's wheelchair, one guy immediately started yelling at her," said Brett Coburn, who described the man's comments as "taunts."
Coburn said that when the group reached the front door, the fan, who other patrons called Tank, was waiting for them.
"He was standing at the door, and he started harassing us because of the Cowboys jerseys," Coburn said.
He said Tank told Garrett Carnes, "Don't use your wheelchair as a crutch."
According to multiple accounts of the incident, Carnes told the patron – and others who were ridiculing the group for being Cowboys' fans – that he was a veteran and had lost his legs in Afghanistan.
Members of the Carnes-Coburn party tried to "defend ourselves verbally," Brett Coburn said.
He said Tank walked toward Carnes in a threatening way, and some other patrons stepped in to break it up.
"Don't use your wheelchair as a crutch" is pure, stupid gold.