NEW YORK CITY — New York Knicks great Charles Oakley made franchise history this week when he became the first Knicks fan to be forced to leave a game early.

Sources close to the Knicks organization say the front office was thrilled to learn a fan was actually fighting with security to stay at a game. “Usually it’s the other way around,” Knicks president Phil Jackson said, adding that arena security is usually fighting to get fans to stay. “They at least try to get them to stay until halftime,” Jackson added.

Some who witnessed the scene say Oakley was heard yelling, “Knicks for life! Knicks for life! Knicks for life!” as he was being dragged out of the arena. Fans were stunned to watch it all play out. “I couldn’t believe there was someone in the arena with something positive to say about this Knicks team,” 37-year-old Knicks fan Evan Caulsen said.

“Knicks for life!” Oakley screamed while being dragged out

The Knicks will not press charges against Oakley but instead plan to punish him by forcing him to start for the team for the remainder of the season.