TEMPE — A Tempe councilman has filed a claim saying Arizona State University's mascot seriously injured his back during a halftime ceremony.
The Arizona Republic reports that David Schapira has filed a claim seeking more than $96,000 and an additional $27,000 to reimburse the City of Tempe after he was injured at a Sept. 18 football game.
According to the filing, ASU's mascot Sparky jumped on Schapira's back while he was visiting the sidelines. The councilman had undergone back surgery two months earlier and had not yet recovered.
Schapira says the claim is not groundwork for a future lawsuit, but that state law requires a person to file a formal claim if they seek payment.
An ASU spokesman says the university is cooperating with the councilman.
