NFL Reporter Defends Theo Vonn's Behavior in Bar Video
Stand-up comedian and podcaster Theo Von is going viral due to an encounter he had at a Nashville bar earlier this month.
TMZ released a video that shows a man walking up to Von with a bunch of birthday balloons at The Twelve Thirty Club. It's unclear what was said during their back-and-forth exchange on May 2, but Von clearly wasn't in the mood to continue this conversation.
Towards the end of the video released by TMZ, you can see the "This Past Weekend" podcast host put his right hand around the unidentified man's neck. One eyewitness told TMZ that Von used "crushing force." There's conflicting stories as to what went down though.
"However, a source with direct knowledge tells us the guy with the balloons was with a group of people who had repeatedly harassed the comedian," TMZ's report states. "We're told they continued antagonizing Theo and used threatening language ... saying they were trying to screw with him on camera."
#Comedian #TheoVonn grabbed a fan by the neck during an aggressive altercation at a #Nashville bar.#Exclusive story HERE: https://t.co/VQW1u6ghXm
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 14, 2025
????️: Jason Saitta pic.twitter.com/klxP8hEvmm
This video caught NFL Network reporter Jane Slater's attention on Wednesday. She actually applauded Von for standing up to this "obnoxious" fan.
"Good for @TheoVon some people are so obnoxious in public," Slater wrote on the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Respect boundaries."
A social media user told Slater that Von shouldn't get a free pass to put his hands on someone else. Slater replied, "You get in my personal space like that after I’ve clearly told you to back off can’t guarantee you aren’t getting my hands."
Slater, who previously worked for the SEC Network and ESPN, appears to be siding with Von as far as this altercation is concerned.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told TMZ there was a misdemeanor assault complaint in relation to this incident. No action will be taken against Von.