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Deer tackles cross country runner during race (Video)

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 13, 2016; Pebble Beach, CA, USA; Deer gather along the 12th hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Pebble Beach, CA, USA; Deer gather along the 12th hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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A deer protected its house by jacking up a cross country runner during a meet. 

Deer are often thought of as peaceful, calm creatures. However, anyone who lives near the woods or has ever driven near the woods at night will tell you they are stealthy, dangerous predators. An NCAA Division III cross country runner for Gwynedd Mercy University found this out the hard way. During a cross country meet, a herd of antlered fiends tried to gather. One of them jacked up a runner.

No word yet on if Roger Goodell will issue the perpetrator any fines. This kind of hit isn’t allowed in the NFL, let alone during a cross country meet. May this serve as a reminder to anyone who tries to come into a deer’s house and push it around. It might decide to strike back when you least expect it.

If that happens in the NFL, that animal’s getting at least 15 years. Probably an unsportsmanlike conduct as well. If someone hit someone like that in college football, they’d get called for targeting. Animals don’t live by rules.

In all seriousness, be careful when doing anything around a wooded area. If you see one deer, assume there are at least two others close by. Keep your bright headlights on, especially at night. Females in particular like to travel in groups. Because they lack common sense, they will often run out in front of cars. And they can do a lot of damage if one of them makes contact. Many cars have been claimed by a nocturnal antlered monster.

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Typically, buck (males) don’t tend to travel in groups. They’re much more solitary than the females, though because of their huge antlers, bucks are also far more dangerous. Whatever you do, don’t underestimate what a reckless deer can do.

Ed. Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified the runner as a high school athlete.