Cincinnati Bengals player Jermaine Gresham scored a touchdown at the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday to put his team 17 points in the lead. Heroically, Gresham tossed the touchdown ball to a female supporter in the stands.
But the pass was intercepted by a fan of the opposing team, who shoved her out of the way to nab it for himself.
CBS footage shows Tony Williams in his Saints kit accidentally elbowing Barrett in the face as he tries to snatch the souvenir.
Even with her begging him and crowds chanting, the grumpy grouch ignores calls to give it up.
Ball snatcher Williams told The Cincinnati Enquirer he refused to relinquish the pigskin "because I caught it. It's very simple, I caught the football".
He showed no remorse for beating Barrett to the ball, but did apologise for shoving his elbow in her face at the game which saw his team lose 27-10.
At least this story has a happy ending.