View source for Rollen Stewart

{{Short description|American kidnapper}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Rollen Stewart at the Kingdome, Seattle WA, late 1970s.jpg|thumb|125px|right|Rollen Stewart at Seattle's [[Kingdome]] during a [[Cleveland Browns|Browns]]-[[Seattle Seahawks|Seahawks]] [[NFL]] game, late 1970s]] -->
'''Rollen Fredrick Stewart''' (born February 23, 1944), also known as '''Rock'n Rollen''' and '''Rainbow Man''', is a man who was a fixture in American sports culture best known for wearing a [[rainbow]]-colored [[afro]]-style [[Wig (hair)|wig]] and, later, holding up signs reading "[[John 3:16]]" at [[stadium]] sporting events around the United States and overseas in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/457/whats-with-those-john-3 What's with those "John 3:16" signs], The Straight Dope</ref> He was convicted of multiple kidnapping charges following an incident in 1992 and is now serving three life sentences in [[Mule Creek State Prison]].

==Early life==
Stewart grew up in [[Spokane, Washington]]. Both his parents were alcoholics. His father died when Stewart was 7 and his mother died in a house fire when he was 15, the same year his sister was strangled by a boyfriend. He operated an auto parts store until his wife left him and he closed the shop and moved to the mountains.<ref name="dope">{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Cecil |title=The Straight Dope |url=https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-straight-dope-523/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=[[Chicago Reader]] |date=6 November 1997}}</ref> From 1972 until at least 1977, he operated a ranch with a new wife in [[Cle Elum, Washington]].<ref name="hair">{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Bill |title=Yes, their hair is different |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-yes-their-hair-is-diff/144093030/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=[[The Everett Herald|The Daily Herald]] |date=11 June 1977 |pages=1}}</ref>

==Publicity==
Stewart and his wife, Linda, were dying their hair rainbow colors by 1977 at the latest. A 1977 article in ''[[The Everett Herald]]'' described the duo as "amateur [[disco dance]]rs" who traveled to clubs and festivals throughout the [[Pacific Northwest]], including the [[Portland Rose Festival]]. Stewart said the couple called themselves "the People Pleasers" and their goal was to make it onto ''[[The Gong Show]]''.<ref name="hair" /> His first major television appearance was at the [[1977 NBA Finals]]; by the time of the [[1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1979 MLB All-Star Game]], broadcasters actively tried to avoid showing him.<ref name="Kenyon">{{cite news |last=Kenyon |first=J. Michael |title=Real action in '79 was outside the lines |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/allstar/30179_1979game06.shtml?rand=80222.2 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=July 6, 2001 |accessdate=2007-09-24}} Note: Article refers to 1984 Olympics, which were in Los Angeles, not Moscow.</ref>

After the [[1980 Super Bowl]], he discovered [[televangelist]] Charles R. Taylor and was inspired to become a [[born again Christian]]. Shortly thereafter, he began carrying a "John 3:16" sign during his appearances.<ref name="burke">{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Monte |title=John 3:16: Where Is He Now? |url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/11/12/john-316-sign-lifestyle-sports-rainbow-man-today.html?sh=2fbd456e46e1 |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=November 12, 2009 |language=en}}</ref> He "appeared behind NFL goal posts, near Olympic medal stands, and even at the [[Augusta National Golf Club]]." At the [[1982 Indianapolis 500]], he was behind the pits of race winner [[Gordon Johncock]].<ref>{{cite news |title=1982 Indianapolis 500 television broadcast |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Sports]]|date=May 30, 1982}}</ref> Stewart would strategically position himself for key shots of plays or athletes.<ref name="Gazette"/> He made no money from this and was homeless for a period. He is believed to have acquired tickets as donations from supportive Christians.<ref name="burke" /> Stewart's fame led to a [[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]] beer commercial and a ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' parody sketch,<ref name="Gazette"/> in which he was portrayed by [[Christopher Walken]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Season 15, Episode 11 |url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/89/89k.phtml |publisher=SNL Transcripts |accessdate=2007-09-24}}</ref>

Stewart was briefly jailed by [[Moscow]] police at the [[1980 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="Kenyon"/>  In the late 1980s, he began a string of [[stink bomb]] attacks. Targets included [[Robert Schuller]]'s [[Crystal Cathedral]], the ''[[Orange County Register]]'', the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], and a Christian bookstore.<ref name="Gazette"/> The stated intent of an attempted attack at the [[American Music Awards]] was to show the public that "God thinks this stinks."<ref>Gorightly, Adam (1999). {{Kooks Museum|page=rainbow|name="Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Man"|sep=,}}. Retrieved on 2008-01-13</ref>

==Arrest==
Stewart was arrested in 1992 after a standoff in a Los Angeles hotel. He had entered a vacant room with two men whom he tried to recruit for a job. The men later fled the scene after he attempted to kidnap a surprised maid who then locked herself in the bathroom. Reportedly, Stewart believed that the [[Rapture]] was due to arrive in six days.<ref name="People"/> During the standoff, he threatened to shoot at airplanes taking off from nearby [[Los Angeles International Airport]], and covered the hotel room windows with "John 3:16" placards. <Ref name="Gazette"/>

Stewart was charged with eight felonies, including three counts of kidnapping and hostage taking.  He rejected a plea deal of 12 years in order to spread his message [[in open court]]. He was convicted on all charges and sentenced to three consecutive [[life imprisonment|life sentences]]. After being sentenced, he began a religious tirade and had to be restrained by bailiffs.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite news |title=Rollen Stewart: A Colorful Testimony |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7J025JS5U  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Ot7J025JS5U |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=2004-07-23 |accessdate=2009-02-18}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Stewart is currently serving three consecutive life sentences in prison on kidnapping charges,<ref name="Kenyon"/> He became eligible for parole in 2002, but it was denied. He was also denied parole in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019 and 2020.<ref name="Gazette">{{cite news | title=What he preached, he didn't practice |url=http://www.gazette.com/sports/stewart-1836-john-hotel.html |work=[[Colorado Springs Gazette]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311201837/http://gazette.com/article/1836|archive-date=2018-03-11|date=2005-12-14 |accessdate=2012-06-30}}</ref><ref name="Gino">{{cite web |last=Emmerich |first=Gino |title=Gino's News |url=http://john3-16signs.com/Gino_s_news.html |work=John 3:16 Sign Ministry |date=March 19, 2010 |accessdate=May 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dalton |first=Kyle |title=Rainbow Man Traded John 3:16 Signs For Prison Suit and Multiple Life Sentences |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/rainbow-man-traded-john-316-signs-for-prison-suit-and-multiple-life-sentences/  |website=Sportscasting {{!}} Pure Sports |date=April 28, 2020 |access-date=November 15, 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> After this conviction, he was found guilty of four stink bomb attacks.<ref name="Gazette"/>

Stewart ran a [[blog]] until the time of his parole denial.<ref name="Gordon">{{cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7167852 |title=Favorites for a fan's Hall of Fame |work=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] |date=2007-09-03 |accessdate=2007-09-24 |author=Jeff Gordon |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907085320/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7167852 |archivedate=September 7, 2007 }}</ref> He is the subject of the 1997 documentary ''Rainbow Man'', directed by [[Sam Green (filmmaker)|Sam Green]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0138051|The Rainbow Man/John 3:16}}</ref> In a 2004 interview with [[ESPN]], he admitted that if he had had a chance to do it all over again, he would have taken the plea deal. However, he said that the standoff happened "at the wrong time."<ref name="ESPN"/>

==Personal life==
Stewart was married four times. In November 1964, he married Suzanne Hoffarth in a [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] ceremony in a chapel of [[St. Paul Cathedral (Yakima, Washington)|St. Paul Cathedral]] in [[Yakima, Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Bremerton Man Marries California Miss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-marriage-of-stewart-stewart/144092827/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=[[Kitsap Sun]] |date=9 November 1964 |pages=7}}</ref> He was next married to Janet Longneeker in [[Skagit County, Washington]] in April 1968. Janet was granted a divorce in [[Pierce County, Washington]] in October 1971 on the grounds of "burdensome home life."<ref>{{cite web |title=Rollen Stewart in the Washington, U.S., Divorce Records, 1968-2017 |url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1691968:61251 |website=[[Ancestry.com]] |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref> He was married again in a [[Lutheran]] ceremony in [[King County, Washington|King County]] to Linda J. Orff in July 1976 but was divorced by January 1979.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rollen F Stewart in the Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854-2013 |url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1089821:2378 |website=[[Ancestry.com]] |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rollen F Stewart in the Washington, U.S., Divorce Records, 1968-2017 |url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/482149:61251 |website=[[Ancestry.com]] |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>

He was most notably married to Margaret Hockridge. The two met at a church in [[Virginia]] in 1984. They began traveling across the country together in 1985. While on the road, they married in [[St. Louis]] in 1986. During the [[1986 World Series]], Hockridge said that Stewart tried to choke her for standing in the wrong spot with a "John 3:16" sign. They divorced in 1990, but kept in touch for many years.<ref name="People">Rich, Katherine Russell. [https://people.com/archive/end-of-the-rainbow-vol-38-no-22/ End of the Rainbow].  ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', 1992-11-30.</ref>

==References==
* "End of the Rainbow" ''People Weekly''. New York: November 30, 1992. Vol. 38, Iss. 22;  pg. 97 (703 word profile of Stewart)
* "Rockin' Rollen, A Fan Only of God, Takes a Message to Every Game" Adelson, Suzanne. ''People Weekly''. New York: February 1, 1988. Vol. 29, Iss. 4;  pg. 45
* "Russians Meet Gate-Crasher" AP. ''The New York Times''. (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: July 22, 1980. pg. B.14 (226 word article on Stewart at Moscow Olympics)
* "Sports World Specials; Resiliency Under the Rainbow No Relief in Sight Striking Out Give Her Credit Punching Doesn't Pay" Jim Benagh. ''The New York Times'': August 18, 1980. p.&nbsp;C2 (10 paragraphs about Stewart and his rainbow wig)
* "Briefing" James F. Clarity & Warren Weaver Jr. ''The New York Times'': November 27, 1985. p. B6 (four paragraphs about Stewart, his wig, and his lawsuit for the right to hang his John 3:16 banner)

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20211231154215/https://www.straightdope.com/21341631/what-s-with-those-john-3-16-signs-that-people-hold-up-at-football-games What’s with those “John 3:16” signs that people hold up at football games?] at ''[[The Straight Dope]]'' 1987-01-23. Retrieved 2022-02-14. Archived from [https://www.straightdope.com/21341631/what-s-with-those-john-3-16-signs-that-people-hold-up-at-football-games the original] 2021-12-31.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20210901092616/https://www.straightdope.com/21342023/is-the-guy-who-held-up-those-john-3-16-signs-at-sports-events-in-jail-for-life Is the guy who held up those “John 3:16” signs at sports events in jail for life?] at ''[[The Straight Dope]]'' 1997-11-7. Retrieved 2022-02-14. Archived from [https://www.straightdope.com/21342023/is-the-guy-who-held-up-those-john-3-16-signs-at-sports-events-in-jail-for-life the original] 2021-09-01.
* {{Kooks Museum|page=rainbow|name=Rollen Stewart}}{{dead link|date=February 2022}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0138051|title=Rainbow Man}}
* [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-19-sp-crowe19-story.html Man’s dark side keeps him from getting out]. Los Angeles Times May 19, 2008 

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stewart, Rollen}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century apocalypticists]]
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American kidnappers]]
[[Category:American male criminals]]
[[Category:American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment]]
[[Category:Crime in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by California]]
[[Category:Sports spectators]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:People from Spokane, Washington]]
[[Category:Criminals from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Yakima Valley College alumni]]