HOUSTON – The second-half kickoff of the Super Bowl (search) was delayed after a man dressed as a referee ran onto the field, stripped down to a G-string and shoes, then started dancing at the 30-yard line.
New England linebacker Matt Chatham (search) leveled the man, identified as Mark Francis Roberts (search), as he ran from security personnel. The 39-year-old Roberts, who had the name of a gambling Web site scribbled across his chest, was hogtied and carried off the field by police.
CBS didn't air the intruder to the worldwide television audience, focusing its cameras elsewhere as he was being chased.
Houston Police spokeswoman Sandra Aponte said police arrested Roberts soon after Chatham got him.
She said Roberts got into the game with a legitimate ticket, and his referee outfit was held together with Velcro, making it easy for him to rip it off in one movement. He was charged with criminal trespass and public intoxication, and was to be booked into either the city or county jail, she said.
"He is telling police he's from Liverpool, England. He also claims he is an international streaker and that he has done this at other sporting facilities," Aponte said.
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