The family of a man, seriously injured in an attack, claims the victim was beaten because he was a Packers fan. Sam Whitehorn remains in intensive care in a Portland, Oregon hospital after the attack on Saturday night. He was wearing a Green Bay Packers beanie at the time.

Whitehorn's mother said her son was with two friends when three men approached them. She told Portland television station KGN the men claimed to be Seahawks fans and there was an altercation. " it's hard to fathom that people would take sports that seriously," Kelly Whitehorn told the station. "It seems to me if somebody's that upset over a gamethey should not be supporting any team." she said.

Police are actively investigating the assault but are not confirming the sports rivalry connection at this point.

The Packers organization responded to the attack, sending out this statement:

“The Green Bay Packers were saddened to learn of the senseless attack on Sam Whitehorn last weekend. We have been in touch with Sam’s family and have heard from many of their concerned friends, and send the organization’s best wishes for a quick and full recovery.”