The Shocking Origins of Fight Club
Shocking revelations have rocked the television world with the opening of court records from a 1976 Illinois case (State V. Rogers/Keeshan). Under seal until now, the case brings into frame a very different portrayal of two of the most hallowed children’s television figures of all time.
Fred Rogers and Bob Keeshan (aka Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo) were arrested together in Chicago’s Seward Park on May 17, 1976. They were accused of orchestrating and profiting off of one of the most notorious fight clubs that Chicago had ever seen. Through court documents, it appears Rogers was the brains of the operation and Keeshan the muscle.
Det. Dan Sever (retired) investigated the fight club for nearly 18 months. “After arresting Rogers we knew we had our hands full. That guy was as cool as a cucumber. Cool like evil. When you looked into his eyes, you just saw nothing. It’s like his soul had disappeared a long time before,” he says.
About Keeshan, he added, “That fella was one the most crazy bastards I’ve ever met. He told me he loved the taste of blood and flesh. Nothing better, he’d say. He scared me to death. Just knowing there are people in the world like him really gets me down. That’s why I take pills now.”
The two faced upwards of twenty-years to life for crimes including racketeering, money laundering, kidnap, thuggery and attempted murder. However, due to a secret pardon given by an out-going (and insane) President Gerald Ford, the two escaped unharmed and unpunished. The case was kept quiet from the media as to not harm any children who looked up to the men. Both men had to sign a document, in Magic Marker, promising to never be bad again. Lesson learned, some say. Others are disappointed they were let off so easily.
“I know for a fact that throughout the 80’s, Keeshan is known to have murdered over twelve people including women and children. Rogers started three successful Ponzi schemes and when they fell apart, murdered anyone that would talk. These men should have been locked up for life. They were the worst of the worst and may God damn their souls,” proclaimed Sever.
