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 Friday, March 31
Governor only 'letting off steam'
 
Associated Press

 MINNEAPOLIS -- Gov. Jesse "The Fan" Ventura may have gotten a little bit too excited at a recent Minnesota Timberwolves game, but he says he is only letting off steam.

At Tuesday night's game against Philadelphia, Minnesota's governor was visibly upset when a referee called a foul on Kevin Garnett with 1.8 seconds left. Allen Iverson sank two free throws, and the 76ers beat the Wolves 102-100.

"Horrible ... that was pathetic," Ventura is seen saying as he watched from the stands.

On Thursday night, WCCO-TV reported that some people "on and off the court" said they saw the governor follow the referees to their locker room and try to confront them about the call. He was asked by Timberwolves security to leave, WCCO reported.

Ventura, who was at Thursday night's game to see the Wolves beat Houston 122-90, denied he was trying to interfere. But he said going to the games is a good antidote to stress.

"That's where I vent my frustrations out, so that's all that is. That's therapy for me. My doctor says I should go there," he said.

Tuesday's game isn't the first time Ventura has gotten upset with a referee at a Wolves game. In December, the governor asked security to arrest an official whom he thought made a gesture at a female fan. Later, he said he was only joking.