It was a Sunday night in September at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens were taking on the dreaded New England Patriots, and it was just two minutes before halftime—but no eyes were on the players. Instead, everyone’s attention was focused on the lunatic running all over the football field in a cape and Batman underwear. He scampered around for a few minutes before being apprehended by the police. After taking him in, all the cops could say was, “Not you again.”
This particular trespasser was 26-year-old Mark Harvey of Severn, who also ran onto Camden Yards’ field on Orioles opening day in April. The stunts were all to promote Harvey’s campaign Bigger Than Bullying, an organization that donates money to different monthly foundations, which prevent bullying, child abuse, and suicide.
“In high school, I always tried to make everyone laugh,” Harvey says. “When I saw kids getting bullied, I would stick up for them. It’s all about being the bigger person.” When Harvey first ran on the field at Camden Yards, however, he was merely doing it for fun, and to celebrate his 26th birthday. The second time, he painted “Don’t be a bully. Be a superhero” on his chest. “I got so much feedback, I thought I should use that attention for something that needs to be talked about,” he says. “A one-minute run on the field got the campaign so much exposure.” Indeed, teachers, peewee football coaches, and students all reached out to Harvey asking how to donate to the cause. It even got the attention of talk show host Ellen Degeneres, whose producer called him and sent along a new cape with her face on it.
Currently, Harvey is banned from both stadiums and is charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. “I probably could have taken a different route, but this got the message out quickly,” he says. “I just want kids to stick up for each other.”
