Man Barred From Darts Game for Looking Like Jesus
A man simply wanting to compete in a darts match has been banned for the second year in a row because he apparently looks like Jesus Christ. Staff were fearful that his appearance would distract players and lead to skewed results in the competition.
Nathan Grindal was attending the Cash Converter Players Championship when people started to notice his Christ-like features. Those in the audience began chanting "Jesus" and Grindal was asked to leave because staff feared he was distracting the players and causing a ruckus. This is the second year in a row that he has been asked to leave due to his physical appearance.
"I felt quite intimidated," Grindal told the Daily Mail. "The head of security told me they would not be letting me into the tournament, because they did not want a repeat of last year. It's not my fault I look like Jesus. I'm not trying to look like Jesus. I'm not even religious – I'm just an average Joe. I haven't done anything wrong."
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Grindal has long hair and a full beard, but that's where the resemblance to Christ seemingly ends. His hair is reddish-blond and Grindal said that he only grew his beard to hide scars from skin cancer. He left the competition without any refund or promise of return, but thankfully, one of the players, Kim Huybrechts, gave Grindal a signed program.
"To Jesus, Unlucky Mate!" Huybrechts signed, noting the humor.
Yet Grindal was disappointed he didn't get to see the match, especially given that he purchased VIP tickets.
"We checked in, had a couple of beers with our breakfast, and then decided to go and collect the VIP tickets," he said.
"When I got there a lady at the counter asked if I was the Jesus bloke who came to the darts. She told me she was there last year and thought it was hilarious, especially when a bloke in a wheelchair stood up and walked in front of me. Up until this point, nobody had recognized me at all," Grindal added.
"This weekend, based on his disruptive behavior last year, both Butlins and PDC Darts, the organizers, have taken the decision not to allow Mr. Grindal onto the resort," a Butlins spokesperson told the Mail.
