A Real Salt Lake fan was banned from a football stadium after being spotted with an offensive tattoo on the side of his head.
Jonathan Pangburn has the lightning bolt symbol used by the Schutzstaffel – the Nazi guard – tattooed above his left ear, an emblem that is commonly promoted by white supremacists today.
Pangburn was quickly escorted out of the stadium at the game against Real Salt Lake on July 3. A photo of him present before he was asked to leave has gone viral.
But hoping to correct any unshakeable assumptions, Pangburn came forward and said: Kansas State Technical University that he feels ‘ashamed’ of the tattoo and that it belongs to a past identity that he is no longer proud of, saying: ‘My tattoos affect and offend me more than anyone else today.’
Pangburn said he used to “live with Nazism and skinhead philosophy” but has since distanced himself from it.
Jonathan Pangburn has the lightning bolt symbol used by the Schutzstaffel (Nazi guard) tattooed above his left ear; it is now commonly used by white supremacists.
He was in and out of prison and battling addiction when he got the tattoos.
He said he is now ashamed of the symbols tattooed on his body, which include the SS sign on his head and two swastikas on his left calf and arm, and is in the process of removing them.
“I am filled with regret and shame every time I go out in public,” he said.
But he admitted he had “messed up” at the football match, saying: “I could have covered up my tattoos and worn a hat.”
He insisted that his intention “is not to try to spread any negativity or hatred on people” and said he is now working to change his life.
Pangburn recently graduated from the Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City, which helps those with a history of addiction.
“It teaches you to love, it gives you life back, it teaches you about friendship, responsibility and humility,” he said.
A photo of Pangburn at the Real Salt Lake game went viral on July 3 and he was quickly escorted out of the stadium.
Despite their intentions, Marc Levine, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, told local news that the symbols are still offensive.
He said: ‘Hate has no place in our sports stadiums.
“This is something very disturbing and frightening for people in the United States today. That hatred has a very long shadow.
“We also know that hateful rhetoric often leads to hateful acts, so seeing this can be a very scary thing for someone.”
Pangburn’s friends still came to his defense, with Evan Done of Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness writing on Facebook: “I actually know this guy.
‘He got those tattoos to survive in prison (where he has spent most of his life) and in recent years he has completely changed his life.
“He told me he needs to keep his hair short there for continued laser treatments to remove it.”