Philly Phanatic Lawsuit: 75-Year-Old Woman Blames Mascot for Causing Her Knee Replacement

PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS/AP) "It's like suing Santa Claus."

That observation comes from the lawyer for a woman who's suing the Philly Phanatic mascot, who realizes that it's not likely to be a popular move.

But according to the Philadelphia Daily News, Grace Crass, who's 75, claims she was at a Reading Phillies minor league game in 2008 with her church group, when the beloved (by many) mascot sat on her legs. That, she argues, caused her arthritis to act up, which ultimately led to knee replacement surgery.

And that's why Crass is suing not only the "Phanatic," but also the man inside the furry green suit, Tom Burgoyne, as well as the Reading Phillies, and the major league team in Philadelphia. She's seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

The newspaper reports that, according to Bob Jarvis, a professor of sports law at Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, the Philly Phanatic is probably the "most-sued major league mascot." The professor says that's because it's the nature of the "Phanatic" to act like, well...a fanatic.

By that measure, this latest lawsuit is just another feather in his beak.