Darrell Davis: Justice is neither blind nor slow in Birmingham

Anybody dumb enough to run onto a playing field to interrupt a sporting event should check out what happened in England.

One day after 27-year-old Paul Mitchell sucker-punched Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, the stupid, remorseful soccer fan was sent to jail for 14 days. Justice is neither blind nor slow in Birmingham.

The punch from behind was shown across the world on TV highlights Sunday night while commentators and experts railed against the craziness of fans and the lack of security for pro athletes. Birmingham promised the offender would be banned forever from its stadium.

Mitchell’s lawyer said his client’s family had to move away from their home because of death threats and Mitchell doesn’t seek to justify his behaviour. It’s unfair to presume Mitchell had been drinking, but there has to be a reason why some goofballs decide they should run onto a soccer pitch, football field, hockey rink or baseball diamond.

Angry athletes have started retaliating. Grealish found the best method to respond: He scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Birmingham.