Time to crack down on NFL hooligans

[Diamond Dave]

by Kevin Hench

Once again NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seems intent on breaking with the head-in-the-sand approach of his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue.

For years as drunkenness and violence escalated at NFL stadiums the league's policy was, uh, good luck with that.

But on Thursday Goodell announced he will be issuing a fan conduct policy that will hopefully forestall the nuclear option of banning alcohol at NFL games. After all, of the many revenue streams in pro sports, can any possibly be as lucrative as the stream of domestic beer selling for $8 a cup?

"We want everyone to be able to come to our stadiums, behave properly, enjoy this experience but don't ruin it for others," said Goodell. "We will be focusing on that, including the implementation of an NFL fan conduct policy which we will have out prior to the season."

If Goodell's new policy holds franchises accountable for the conduct of their fans — the way he will now hold them financially accountable for the behavior of their players — you can bet teams will crack down in a meaningful way.

Here's a taste (http://youtube.com/watch?v=XVN-qW0j1Ho&feature=related) of what Goodell might consider improper behavior. Or perhaps this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=auzzqw7UVAY). For more disturbing images of what Goodell might define as ruining it for others go to YouTube and plug in "Raiders Chargers fight."

McAfee Coliseum in Oakland and Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego might as well be octagons for all the impromptu mixed martial arts that break out when the Bolts and Raiders throw down. But unconscionable fan behavior is not a recent development.

In 1995, when unruly Giant fans pelted the field and knocked the opposing equipment manager unconscious with ice-balls, the league might have thought it had a problem.

In 1997, when over 60 fistfights broke out at Veterans Stadium in a nationally televised game, prompting Philadelphia to assign a municipal court judge to the stadium on game days in '98, the league might have thought it had a problem.

In 2000, when that Raider fan stabbed a Charger fan, the league might have thought it had a problem

In 2001, when Browns fans showered the field with plastic beer bottles, the league might have thought it had a problem.

In 2003, when three Charger fans beat a Jaguar fan into unconsciousness, the league might have thought it had a problem.

And on and on until Goodell inherited an almost league-wide problem.

But until now the NFL was loathe to admit that it had a drunken fan epidemic. So while it may be overdue, give Goodell credit for trying to improve his product by finally acknowledging one of its shortcomings.

Maybe Goodell decided to take action because of the collective effect of so much anti-social behavior. Or maybe it was the Mardi Gras North that broke out at Gate D in the Meadowlands last year where kids at Jets games got to witness men screaming at women to bare their breasts (and women obliging). Or maybe it was the two shootings outside the Coliseum in Oakland before and after a Raiders-Chiefs game last fall that forced his hand.

Cracking down on player misconduct has been a hallmark of the commissioner's early tenure (though Charles Grant's manslaughter charge and a shooting involving a gun owned by Marvin Harrison could not have been the offseason Goodell was hoping for after coming down hard on Pacman Jones and Chris Henry). But the fact is fans — you know, the consumers of the product — will have a lot more interaction with other fans than with the players. So Goodell's announcement is welcome news for the vast majority of football consumers who can take in a game — and, yes, even suck down a few brews — without wanting to assault anybody.

At an infamous 1999 game between the Raiders and Chargers in San Diego, Raider legends Ben Davidson and Otis Sistrunk were so appalled by the out-of-control fan violence they left the stadium. Think about that.

Davidson told the San Diego Union-Tribune after the game, "It's just a sad testament to our time."

Davidson was listed at 6-foot-8, 275 pounds in his playing days and Sistrunk at 6-4, 265.

<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="275"> <tbody><tr><td>[/URL][URL="http://msn.foxsports.com/id/8170526_7_1.jpg"]http://msn.foxsports.com/id/8170526_7_1.jpg (http://msn.foxsports.com/id/8170526_7_1.jpg)</td></tr> <tr><td class="caption">Packers fans: Setting the example for the rest of the NFL. (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)</td></tr> </tbody></table> Imagine how a dad might feel in those same stands with his 70-pound fourth-grade son. (One of the more chilling images in the YouTube gallery of fan violence is two middle-aged women shepherding a small boy away from the melee that had broken out around them.)

Thankfully, not every stadium becomes Thunderdome when an opposing fan steps foot in it. God bless Lambeau Field.

My friend Dan attended the NFC Championship game in Green Bay in his Eli Manning jersey. Not only did he emerge unscathed, he received a grudging Midwestern respect for making the trek and for the gritty performance of his team.

Check out this news report on how Giants fans were greeted in Green Bay. And not one woman implored to expose her breasts.

Oh, that all NFL cities could be Green Bay.

But the sad truth is that many NFL stadiums are about as family friendly as the strip clubs where the league's players so often get arrested. Goodell's fan conduct policy will be the first step to taking the violence out of the stands and parking lots and keeping it on the field where it belongs.
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[Vis Major]

Good........

[dobre shunka]

Check out this news report on how Giants fans were greeted in Green Bay. And not one woman implored to expose her breasts.

Oh, that all NFL cities could be Green Bay.


What? 0 degrees with a -20 windchill?

[Wig]

Ah it's good to see that tough commish, cleaning up the league and all that.

Kinda like the mafia keeps Vegas crime down so families can come and spend their kids college money without fear of being robbed.

[Balls&YourWord]

About time, I say throw 'em all out. I've been to a couple of Bengals/Steelers games in Cincinnati before, and it's so bad that it actually ruins your experience. I was there for the playoff game in '05 and a fight broke out between the row in front of me and the row behind me, a Bengals fan kept drunkenly hitting an older Steelers fan over the head with his sign and leaning down to scream right in his face and finally the Steelers fan just lost it. When security finally got there, even the other Bengals fans were defending the Steelers fan and it ended up that the instigator was the one they tossed.

The next time out, I believe the same guy kept screaming over and over again during various points of the game that "Roethlisberger's mom sucks c#*$ in hell!" Over and over again. And there were kids just a couple of seats down from him, and he was screaming it so loud that everyone in our section had to hear it. I wanted to turn around and slug him one good time, but I didn't want to get kicked out and/or arrested because of his dumbass.

I'm pretty sure the guy has season tickets which is the saddest part of all. It's okay to have a few drinks before the game, but you've got to able to handle your alcohol. If you can't, I don't think you should be allowed to show up at these games and ruin everyone else's experience. And you can forget season tickets too. If you get kicked out of a game for being a drunken idiot, I think you should have a lifetime ban from purchasing season tickets.

[omawho]

Kansa City ain't no picnic either....

[Superman]

Gump's game experience will go in the shitter now.

[1st & 10]

I was in Denver for the Steelers win in the AFC championship.
We had tickets 4 rows from the field. We had almost as many
Steelers fans around us as Denver fans. Most of the fans from
both teams were well behaved.

However, we had two Denver fans who were related, brothers I think,
they sat right in front of us. They were calling out insults all game.
I understand rooting for your team, but do you have to be so insecure
that you call out insults to the other team, the fans and the city of PGH
the entire game? It was annoying, but of course we had the last laugh,
the way the game played out.

Some time in the 4th Q, I left my seat to get a drink. When I came back
my son said, "Dad you missed it". One of the obnoxious Denver fans in
front of us grabbed a woman and pulled her down, after she had stood up
to cheer for the Steelers. Her husband did not take to kindly to the
drunken Broncos fan touching his wife and he slugged the guy,
squarely between the eyes. The guy who was hit went down for the
10 count. Latter, the ushers came and removed the Denver fan who
originally caused the fracas.

[toledosteel7]

Anything bad ever happen in da burgh?

I went to the Cincy home game last year, and there were a few people wearing Bengals jerseys, but I didn't see much other than a lot of "who dey"s when one bungle fan was trying to take a piss.

My girlfriend is a Browns fan and her parents told her to be careful while in the stadium... saying some not-so-nice things about some of the fans...

The only fan that pissed me off at the game was some asshole yelling to bring Pitt out instead of the Steelers... whatever the fuck... people were telling him to shut the fuck up... he kept doing it though...

Went to a game in Cincy (before they got good) and wore one of my jerseys and worst I got was some peanuts thrown at me from above, but every time the Steelers scored a TD I was up, pointing at the jersey, turning around and shouting loudly... high scoring game on both side, though the Bungles won...

[Aries1247]

Here's an idea... STOP SELLING BEER BY THE BEGINING OF THE 3RD QUARTER, ASSHOLES!!!

Mutherfukers are drinking all damn day in the parking lot, come to the game, up & down, up & down, up & down, to the beer stand, to the bathroom, get drunk then get all worked up cause their team is either kicking ass or losing & start some shit. Stay the fuck at home, jackhole.

What's the funny thing about a Pit. game is every game I've been at, somewhere there's always some shit going on, & it's usually 2 Steeler fans fighting each other.

[mightyguru]

I've been to 4 away stadiums and have never had more than a slight disagreement. A little smack back and forth is inevitable. Hell, I've never seen anything like that raider/chargers thing...stoopid, high school soccer hooligan bullshite.

Not that I'm the coolest customer...I'm a hothead and I've still been able to avoid that stuff.

[thatrain]

During the 2005 Indy Playoff game, I couldn't so much as get some heated trash talking going between myself and the Indy fans. I was very disappointed.

[Diamond Dave]

I was at a Steelers/Browns game in Cleveland. 99.9% of the stuff I got ranged from good natured ribbing to angry, yet harmless, comments of "go the fuck back to Pittsburgh!". However there were a couple of people that got a set of beer muscles and decided that since I was out numbered in my vicinity at about 500 to 1, that it was safe to start some physical shit.

The other 498 Browns fans immediately grouped up and told them to knock it off - that they were giving all Browns fans a bad name.

[Vis Major]

I was in Denver for the Steelers win in the AFC championship.
We had tickets 4 rows from the field. We had almost as many
Steelers fans around us as Denver fans. Most of the fans from
both teams were well behaved.

However, we had two Denver fans who were related, brothers I think,
they sat right in front of us. They were calling out insults all game.
I understand rooting for your team, but do you have to be so insecure
that you call out insults to the other team, the fans and the city of PGH
the entire game? It was annoying, but of course we had the last laugh,
the way the game played out.

Some time in the 4th Q, I left my seat to get a drink. When I came back
my son said, "Dad you missed it". One of the obnoxious Denver fans in
front of us grabbed a woman and pulled her down, after she had stood up
to cheer for the Steelers. Her husband did not take to kindly to the
drunken Broncos fan touching his wife and he slugged the guy,
squarely between the eyes. The guy who was hit went down for the
10 count. Latter, the ushers came and removed the Denver fan who
originally caused the fracas.

I was in Indy the week before and as up and down as that 4th quarter was, not a single fan got out of line. I was impressed.

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

I was in Denver for the Steelers win in the AFC championship.
We had tickets 4 rows from the field. We had almost as many
Steelers fans around us as Denver fans. Most of the fans from
both teams were well behaved.

However, we had two Denver fans who were related, brothers I think,
they sat right in front of us. They were calling out insults all game.
I understand rooting for your team, but do you have to be so insecure
that you call out insults to the other team, the fans and the city of PGH
the entire game? It was annoying, but of course we had the last laugh,
the way the game played out.

Some time in the 4th Q, I left my seat to get a drink. When I came back
my son said, "Dad you missed it". One of the obnoxious Denver fans in
front of us grabbed a woman and pulled her down, after she had stood up
to cheer for the Steelers. Her husband did not take to kindly to the
drunken Broncos fan touching his wife and he slugged the guy,
squarely between the eyes. The guy who was hit went down for the
10 count. Latter, the ushers came and removed the Denver fan who
originally caused the fracas.

NICE!!!! I love to hear stuff like that because you know anyone of us would do the same.

[thatrain]

I was at a Steelers/Browns game in Cleveland. 99.9% of the stuff I got ranged from good natured ribbing to angry, yet harmless, comments of "go the fuck back to Pittsburgh!". However there were a couple of people that got a set of beer muscles and decided that since I was out numbered in my vicinity at about 500 to 1, that it was safe to start some physical shit.

The other 498 Browns fans immediately grouped up and told them to knock it off - that they were giving all Browns fans a bad name.

And here I thought "Browns" was bad enough.

[SteelrzGirl]

Personally, I intend to attend the Patriots/Raiders game in Oakland this year. I would enjoy nothing more than watching NE and their newbie fans get rocked the fuck out of Oakland. Spygate started with the snowbowl and Id like to see Oakland fans remember it.

Actually, Id like to see what Pats fan has the balls to show up. If there are any out here.

[koskorgul]

While I have never been to a game, I have heard the stories.

Here is something to think about though.

With spygate being swept under the rug like Goddell has done, how many think that this might just be a pre-emptive strike against the fans to try and keep the backlash, that we all know is coming, down to a min?

Just something to think about.

[Sluzilla]

KC STL and TENN all were great places to go to a game IMO...

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

Personally, I intend to attend the Patriots/Raiders game in Oakland this year. I would enjoy nothing more than watching NE and their newbie fans get rocked the fuck out of Oakland. Spygate started with the snowbowl and Id like to see Oakland fans remember it.

Actually, Id like to see what Pats fan has the balls to show up. If there are any out here.

I guess it's not possible to have both teams lose, is there? I hate both teams equally. Oh well...:D

[Stlrs4Life]

Kansa City ain't no picnic either....


Cause it's a big BBQ.

[SteelrzGirl]

I guess it's not possible to have both teams lose, is there? I hate both teams equally. Oh well...:D

Not me. What have the Raiders done to anyone? In how many years? Whats left to hate? Al Davis is a joke. They are laughable.

I absolutely despise, to my very core, everything that is currently the Patriots.

[K from Cal]

I wouldn't be comfortable taking my kids to any NFL games. Even baseball is bad enough with the nasty screaming and drinking. I find it hard to explain all of this to an 8 year old, why adults are being so rude and obnoxious. On the flip side, I remember being really rude and obnoxious in the stands with kids around many times. I just didn't realize the impact on kids before I had kids of my own. I'm all for the family areas at games.

[SteelrzGirl]

Id never take my kid to a Raiders game. Thats why she missed her first opportunity to see the Steelers. Id take her to San Franciso though.

[Dgenx321]

Lets not act like it doesn't happen in Pittsburgh.

I was at a Philly-Pitt game in 2005. We won and on the way out Philly fans were getting doused in beer and having their mother called everyword but mom.

Pittsburgh is far from the nicest stadium to come into if you're a out of town fan...

[Supersteeler]

Lets not act like it doesn't happen in Pittsburgh.

I was at a Philly-Pitt game in 2005. We won and on the way out Philly fans were getting doused in beer and having their mother called everyword but mom.

Pittsburgh is far from the nicest stadium to come into if you're a out of town fan...

Oh one of the reasons I haven't been to a Steeler game for a few years is the inevitability that I'll have to sit next to the most obnoxious, loudest, drunkest idiot in the stadium. I can't remember a game I've been to in Heinz field where there wasn't at least one in my section, usually about 5 of them. Apparently screaming "cocksucker" and "fuck you" at the players from 300 rows up and 200 yards away in the stands every 5 minutes for a 4 hour game is a very entertaining hobby. I'd never take my son to a game until he's old enough to hear that crap. He's 3 now, so we have a long, long way to go. Don't get me wrong, I've always met a bunch of cool people at games too, but a couple loud douchebags can sure put a damper on the mood.

[SteelerFan448]

Oh one of the reasons I haven't been to a Steeler game for a few years is the inevitability that I'll have to sit next to the most obnoxious, loudest, drunkest idiot in the stadium. I can't remember a game I've been to in Heinz field where there wasn't at least one in my section, usually about 5 of them. Apparently screaming "cocksucker" and "fuck you" at the players from 300 rows up and 200 yards away in the stands every 5 minutes for a 4 hour game is a very entertaining hobby. I'd never take my son to a game until he's old enough to hear that crap. He's 3 now, so we have a long, long way to go. Don't get me wrong, I've always met a bunch of cool people at games too, but a couple loud douchebags can sure put a damper on the mood.


Thankfully most Steeler fans don't like hearing jagoffs yell that crap, regardless of what team they are rooting for. Typically they'll calm down if a security staff member talks to them, but I've seen a fair share deservedly kicked out.

[1st & 10]

Lets not act like it doesn't happen in Pittsburgh.

I was at a Philly-Pitt game in 2005. We won and on the way out Philly fans were getting doused in beer and having their mother called everyword but mom.

Pittsburgh is far from the nicest stadium to come into if you're a out of town fan...

I agree it happens in PGH and all the stadiums. A few bad fans can ruin it
for the majority. At times, I see hometown fans helping to police their
stadiums.

As for that Philly game, I was at the same one. Though your experience was
probably different than mine. The Philly fans I saw were taunting the hometown
fans, before the game started. They were yelling about taking the Steelers
down in their own stadium and other trash talking.
If you come into another teams home and act like a jerk,
you can bring the wrath down on yourself.

After the first Q the game was already over.
The Steelers were dominating the Eagles and the Philly fans were pretty quiet.
The Steeler fans gave them some verbal payback, but nothing too extreme.

[Southern Steeler]

KC STL and TENN all were great places to go to a game IMO...


haven't been to KC, but I'll add ATL to that list. I have had no problems at any of those venues.......but then I don't get drunk, either.

[Steel Conviction]

Well, if cheating en route to multiple SBs gets you a proverbial slap on the wrist, then I suppose that NFL hooligans will be required to say two "Hail Mary"s and all will be forgiven.

[fedderone]

Fair on all sides.......

I've been to a a dozen games at ol' 3 Rivers, and only two at Ketchup Park. One incident at 3 Rivers, my uncle and cousins are from Maryland and are Redskins fans. Back in the Louis Lipps days, we got shellacked by the Skins. My family, in their Redskin garb, were harassed, and physically touched. Not punched or violently hit, but crossing the "personal boundary" line and too familiar for a stranger on the way out. My family did not provoke and were not being obnoxious. My uncle and cousins have vowed never to go to another game after that, and I personally don't blame them. But that was the only "negative" experience I've ever had in the 'Burgh. I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio so trips to games are few and far between.
My brothers and father are Clowns fans. My dad got club seats in '99 when they came back and then passed them to my brother. I've been to a many a game at ol' Municipal Stadium and new Cleveland Browns stadium. Old Municipal was HARSH! I even was unfortunate enough to sit in the dawg pound a few times back in the day. But since 1999, I've donned my black and gold, and have cheered, not ridiculously, but like I love and care about my team, and I get good ribbing and smack talk back and forth. Nothing physical or confrontational. I always like walking downtown Cleveland and hear the crazy things yelled at passing cars and people as I proudly display the black and gold.
I've been to almost all the old stadiums and a few of the new. It's ALWAYS going to depend on the individual or group. Alcohol, or what time they serve to, has NOTHING to do with it. I like to drink, more than my share and probably more than a few people's share combined. But I don't act like a douche and start fights. Words are meaningless. It's when someone decides they have to beat someone or try to physically hurt them to "support their team" is what's ruining the experience at the stadium. I guess I've just been fortunate in my experiences that it's never been physical, other than the two "close calls" at 3 Rivers and Municipal.
People just need to be respectful in their differences and opinions, that's all.

[legacysports]

I have been in a few stadiums, always the drunks that start the stupidity. when was the last time anyone ever saw 2 people not drinking and wanting to fight over the game on the field??? I have always wondered how many fools are tailgating before the game? Anyone care to guess?

[SteelrzGirl]

Well, if cheating en route to multiple SBs gets you a proverbial slap on the wrist, then I suppose that NFL hooligans will be required to say two "Hail Mary"s and all will be forgiven.

Yep, I agree. Just another "event" the league is creating to distract from the cheating patriots.

[Stainless]

It ain't a football game until someone projectile vomits. A lot of people still refer to The Super Bowl by its original name, The Super Blow.

[markymarc]

Yep, I agree. Just another "event" the league is creating to distract from the cheating patriots.

That is exactly what Goodell is trying to do. Although I do agree that this is a good policy to put out there. Goodell is still a punk though.

[Diamond Dave]

Lets not act like it doesn't happen in Pittsburgh.

I was at a Philly-Pitt game in 2005. We won and on the way out Philly fans were getting doused in beer and having their mother called everyword but mom.

Pittsburgh is far from the nicest stadium to come into if you're a out of town fan...
Years ago (Brister was our QB - that's how long), we played the Vikings here and lost. Just a horrible game. I think the final score was 3 - 6.

Anyhoo, on the way out there was a lone Vikings fan walking back to his car. He might have been all of 5' 2" and 130 lbs. Wasn't saying shit to anyone - just trying to get back to his car.

3 - 4 drunk off their ass Steelers fans decided they were going to kick his ass. Screaming at him, pushing him, throwing shit at him. Finally they circled him. That's when I jumped in the middle of the circle and grabbed him. Pulled him behind me and said "There you are! I wondered where you went after the bathroom. Don't worry guys - he's with me." I figured that would defuse the situation and they would move on.

Nope - now they turned on me. Traitor! Fucking traitor! I stepped up to the ring leader and told him that I might not be able to kick ass on four guys, but he could rest assured that I would punch his teeth down his throat before his buddies got to me.

He stood there and thought about it for a minute before I got a laundry list of cat calls about being a pussy and a fucking traitor as he and his buddies turned and walked away.

I turned around to tell the Vikings fan that I would walk him back to his car so he wouldn't have anymore problems. That's when I saw the contingency of Steelers fans that had huddled behind me and had my back should anything go down. Apparently, more than one person had the same idea as I did. I just got to him first.

[Diamond Dave]

Personally, I intend to attend the Patriots/Raiders game in Oakland this year. I would enjoy nothing more than watching NE and their newbie fans get rocked the fuck out of Oakland. Spygate started with the snowbowl and Id like to see Oakland fans remember it.

Actually, Id like to see what Pats fan has the balls to show up. If there are any out here.


You should point out Patriots fans to the Raiders fans and just say "are you going to let him get away with what he just said?"

[SteelerScott]

haven't been to KC, but I'll add ATL to that list. I have had no problems at any of those venues.......but then I don't get drunk, either.

YEAH, the fans in the GA Dome in '06 weren't bad.
Actually, the most annoying thing was a Steeler fan chanting "where's your ring" after the game. Fn' sore loser.

[Dixon Hand]

I was in Indy the week before and as up and down as that 4th quarter was, not a single fan got out of line. I was impressed.

No wonder! The piped in crowd noise was probably too loud to hear insults!

[SteelrzGirl]

You should point out Patriots fans to the Raiders fans and just say "are you going to let him get away with what he just said?"

lol Im not sure I want to be responsible for that.

[Super Heathen]

Years ago (Brister was our QB - that's how long), we played the Vikings here and lost. Just a horrible game. I think the final score was 3 - 6.

Anyhoo, on the way out there was a lone Vikings fan walking back to his car. He might have been all of 5' 2" and 130 lbs. Wasn't saying shit to anyone - just trying to get back to his car.

3 - 4 drunk off their ass Steelers fans decided they were going to kick his ass. Screaming at him, pushing him, throwing shit at him. Finally they circled him. That's when I jumped in the middle of the circle and grabbed him. Pulled him behind me and said "There you are! I wondered where you went after the bathroom. Don't worry guys - he's with me." I figured that would defuse the situation and they would move on.

Nope - now they turned on me. Traitor! Fucking traitor! I stepped up to the ring leader and told him that I might not be able to kick ass on four guys, but he could rest assured that I would punch his teeth down his throat before his buddies got to me.

He stood there and thought about it for a minute before I got a laundry list of cat calls about being a pussy and a fucking traitor as he and his buddies turned and walked away.

I turned around to tell the Vikings fan that I would walk him back to his car so he wouldn't have anymore problems. That's when I saw the contingency of Steelers fans that had huddled behind me and had my back should anything go down. Apparently, more than one person had the same idea as I did. I just got to him first.

That was a very cool thing to do, Dave. Just wanted to say that.


Anyway, alcohol and retards don't mix. Some just can't have a couple of beer and have a good time without ruining somebody else's experience. It's that way in Europe and it's that way here.

Recipe for disaster:

1 part fucktard
1 part testosterone
10 parts alcohol
1 large crowd

Mix it all together, pour it into a cranial pan and enjoy disasterous results.

[SteelerJen]

I've been to 3 Steelers games in Detroit (all losses!) and we never had trouble with Detroit fans, because they hardly existed! The stadium was always about 80 - 20 Steelers/Lions fans.

[SteelBuck10]

I was in Browns Stadium a few years back, on Christmas Eve and remember Steeler Fans out numbering the Browns Fans, and giving them a hard time leaving THEIR OWN STADIUM.....:D

Oh yeah, and JH slamed one of their fans on the Field....:eek:

[mightyguru]

I was in Browns Stadium a few years back, on Christmas Eve and remember Steeler Fans out numbering the Browns Fans, and giving them a hard time leaving THEIR OWN STADIUM.....:D

Oh yeah, and JH slamed one of their fans on the Field....:eek:

Yes. The Silverback Slam! lolz.

[FilipinoRaider]

Personally, I intend to attend the Patriots/Raiders game in Oakland this year. I would enjoy nothing more than watching NE and their newbie fans get rocked the out of Oakland. Spygate started with the snowbowl and Id like to see Oakland fans remember it.

Actually, Id like to see what Pats fan has the balls to show up. If there are any out here.

I hope you enjoy yourself at that game. I was going to go to that one but I couldn't resist the Monday Night Home opener against the Denver Donkeys.

[FilipinoRaider]

Id never take my kid to a Raiders game. Thats why she missed her first opportunity to see the Steelers. Id take her to San Franciso though.

Oh come on now. Steelers and Raiders fans were both well behaved that day.

[THE GREAT BURGHBOY]

Years ago (Brister was our QB - that's how long), we played the Vikings here and lost. Just a horrible game. I think the final score was 3 - 6.


I remember that game. December of 92, the Steelers had the division clinched, O'Donnell was injured, it was sunny and it was cold! I was there for that one. While I didn't see any Viking fans in my section, there was a cat-fight, not sure what started it, but some chick poured a $5 beer over another chicks head and there was hair-pulling, and the word "bitch" was said about a dozen times before the cops broke it up. Since it was about 20 rows down from my seat all I could do was watch and Laugh. That was as close as I got to any altercation in Pittsburgh, Baltimore though was a different story, and the worst harassers in Baltimore were the thugs who were supposed to be "security". Those jagoffs game me more hell than the Raven fans.

[SteelrzGirl]

Oh come on now. Steelers and Raiders fans were both well behaved that day.

Doesnt mean it was kid friendly. SF is the wine & cheese crowd. They barely cheer.

[Smashmouth]

This is a total fucking ruse by Baddell. Last year the players, this year the fans. Meanwhile he's tripping over his lumpy carpet, on his way to the microphone to introduce Bob Kraft at the Winter Owners Meetings...to a standing ovation by Rooney et. al.

This guys a meat puppet. Tool.

[Malice]

That was as close as I got to any altercation in Pittsburgh, Baltimore though was a different story, and the worst harassers in Baltimore were the thugs who were supposed to be "security". Those jagoffs game me more hell than the Raven fans.

I have a similar opinion of Baltimore, it's fans and it's "security". On the way into memorial stadium in 97, I was meeting my family at the game, I got jumped by about 6 or 7 rats fans. While getting pummeled by said trailer trash a Baltimore City Cop shows up. Does he arrest anyone? Nope. Does he detain anyone? Nope? What does he do? He tells them to have fun at the game, and then proceeds to "search" me for contraband. Mind you at this point, I have a concussion, a broken nose and I'm bleeding profusely from a cut on my scalp, where one of the rat tards smashed a beer bottle over my head. Only after he verified that I did not have anything illicit on me, was I allowed to continue.

I get to the gates of the stadium and one of the staffers refuses to let me in, because I was bleeding and had blood all over my jersey. I had a valid ticket and tell them I'm trying to get to the first aid station, that I had been jumped, the guy was like not my problem.

So I was going to try another gate to go in, when I saw one of the emergency vehicles parked otuside the stadium. I went up to the EMT's explained what had happened, and that they wouldn't let me in to the game. One of the EMT's escorted me to the back of the vehicle sat me down and started to dress my head wound.

After he was done, he was like be careful... the Ravens fans are especially violent to Steelers fans. They hate that we show up in such numbers at their stadium, then he whispered to me that he was from Ross Township and Go Steelers! So it wasn't even a Baltimoron that ended up helping me, which doesn't surprise me at all.

Anyways, when I attend the Rats vs Steelers games down here in the City that Breeds, I always go with a pack of Steeler fans.

Malice

[Penguins Fan]

My brother and I drove to Baltimore for the opening game in their new stadium in 1998. He was tanked before the game. Nobody bothered us at all. I haven't been back there since.

Along with a large number of coworkers, I went to an exhibition game in 1990 in RFK (Deadskins). There was one loudmouth who ripped on Pittsburgh the entire evening. Later he admitted to having a displaced Pittsburgher for a boss. What a piece of Southern Maryland white trash.

I took a female friend to see the Steelers in Cleveland in 1986. We were stuck in the Dawg Pound. We wore no black and gold and kept our mouths shut. I got some beer on a pants leg but that was it. Rich Erenberg dropped a sure touchdown pass - he was wide open and all alone on the Clowns' 10 yard line and could have crawled in to the end zone untouched.
As soon as the Clowns won the game we got the hell out of there.

Some friends of mine went to a Steelers exhibition game in Philly in 1989. Big mistake.

[FAB802]

I've never had any problems at road games with opposing team fans. I talk all through the game. As long as you aren't cussing the fans and being an idiot they usually have fun with it. Example.....

http://www.steelernation.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=295&albumid=36&dl=1211420353&thumb=1 (http://www.steelernation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=36&pictureid=295)

Rams fans in front of me and Stainless.

http://www.steelernation.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=294&albumid=36&dl=1211420353&thumb=1 (http://www.steelernation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=36&pictureid=294)

A picture those same guys took of us later.

[Big Fella]

I've been in the pound at Old Cleveland Municipal and I go to the new stadium for the game every year.

Fortunately the seats we get are the very last row in the stadium, so there is no one behind us to get any bad ideas.

Every game, something ridiculous happens. Always funny to note the vast majority of F-bombs and other insults are hurled from some of Cleveland's most beautiful women. I'm pretty sure its an Ohio-sports thing to hate your rivals more than you like your own team, which is silly.

But thats a cool story Dave. I think its ridiculous that people think insulting, intimidating, and getting physical with opposing fans is giving their team a home-field advantage. I also think its very important for fan-bases to police themselves.

[SteelRose]

My daughter and I got tickets for the first game in the Cardinals new stadium when they played Pittsburgh. We got really crappy seats, just surrounded by fans wearing red and on the aisle too. We had to listen to every single taunt as these drunken guys went up and down the stairs (yeah it seemed to always be the drunk male fans).

The nice thing was there were like 4 huge, muscular Cardinal fans behind us that pretty much became our bodyguards. They had to constantly tell the hecklers to f-off.

Pitt lost that game but that didn't stop the heckling. On the walk to the parking lot this young guy (very drunk of course) walks by and gives us the finger and calls us Steeler wh*res.

[Gonzopenguin]

I'm proud to say my hometown of Charlotte has been a great place to watch a game no matter who you cheer for. A little good natured smack talk is all I've ever heard and that's ok.

[BermudaSteel]

Ah it's good to see that tough commish, cleaning up the league and all that...


With spygate being swept under the rug like Goddell has done, how many think that this might just be a pre-emptive strike against the fans to try and keep the backlash...
Just something to think about.

I stopped reading after both of these statements. I could care less about this NEW topic. Fix the most important one to ALL the fans...