I understand that the player 'owns' the helmet...but once they throw it into the stands....they are giving up their ownership....just like a thrown ball into the stands.
A thrown ball into the stands 'on purpose' is charged to the player and the person catching it can keep it...unlike a Kicked ball that enters the stands via....wild kick or kicked over the net MUST be returned.
If they were NOT my season tickets....you bet I'd keep it. I would have preferred if the helmet was from the team I didn't like and it happen to cut me....$$$$....
I agree with the other guys who state they would have taken off with it...that would have been the best move as there is NO WAY if they left right away that they could have caught up with you....they can't charge you with stealing as it was given to you.
The fan should sue the team for the value of one game used helmet. My bet is the team settles for an authentic helmet and a few autographed items.
To walk and get nothing is ignorant in this situation...then again he was with his kid....I would have handed it over too.
Here is an article and a statement by the guy who caught the helmet
http://content.usatoday.com/communi...s-helmet-says-cop-showed-up-to-take-it-back/1