The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/21/AR2007122101886.html?hpid=opinionsbox1]washingtonpost.com[/url]

I found this opinion interesting. The author describes the very reason I will not take my son or daughter to Fedex. I suppose it's just a sad commentary of the current social times where class, courtesy, and human dignity are becoming extinct.

Your thoughts?

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

That doesn't mesh with my experiences at FedEx, but perhaps the fact that I'm usually loaded colors my memories.

Should you take you young child to a stadium to watch a game in opponent's colors and not expect some grief? Probably not. This gentleman should have alerted an usher if he thought his fellow patron's were excessive with their language or comsumption.

I have been lucky to sit in the same section for the past four years. I [u]might[/u] take my son there when he's 13, but I'd pick a game where the outcome wasn't especially important, where the opposing fans would be in short supply, that wasn't being played in the evening (when the drinking is more prevalent), when the weather was nicer, and where I knew who the fans around me were and how they generally behave.

I also might leave my petticoats at home, but that's another problem.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

Take this dude to a soccer game over sees and hed be lucky to ecscape alive wearing opponent`s colors. FeDex is mild, sit in a student section at a college football game sometime and you`ll no what i mean

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

I would hope we don't ever have the riots or near riots of 'football hooligans' that occur in Europe, or for that matter in S. America & Africa as well.

It's obvious that the author's assumption is that nfl games once were family friendly, whether from his personal experience or learning from others. I would agree w/him that the culture of sports has become way too uncivil. All the stories from Philly & West Va. U. may be exaggerated, but that doesn't mean people there are downright mean & sometimes criminal in their behavior.

Sad to say, but one of my best fan experiences was last month at Texas Stadium. I sat beside a couple cowpoke fans that were knowledgeable of the game, poked fun at some of the dallas halftime shows, & even wished me a safe trip home. Texas Stadium was dry until a few years ago, so the local culture may be less tolerant of public drunkeness. Also, I noticed that there was not one beer man in the upper level stands once the game began, whereas at fedex I was in the nose bleeds but could get a beer every 20 minutes if I needed one (which I did!).

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

I think experiences are different from section to section. My section this year is far less aggressive than in the past.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

High school girls stripping? What section is that in? I WILL PAY DOUBLE!!!

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

While this is definately an "interesting" man who is writing this article... I have to say he has some legitimate points. My wife and I were at the Giants game... The drunks were much more obnoxious than I remember (I hadn't gone to a game in 2 years). I had written this off to being a 4 o'clock game instead of 1... figured more people where drinking bear when tailgating... of course, the Bears game was a night game... so that may hold true again.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=jamf;395864]High school girls stripping? What section is that in? I WILL PAY DOUBLE!!![/quote]

If the Danny finds out about this he'll give the girls a signing bonus & charge you more than double!!

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=freddyg12;395859]All the stories from Philly & West Va. U. may be exaggerated, but that doesn't mean people there are downright mean & sometimes criminal in their behavior.[/quote]

There true...I go to school there

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

I have been going to games since I was a kid of about 8 years old. I have nothing but great experiences and memories of redskins games. There is always the chance of having inappropriate people sitting around you at any game espeshally if you decide to draw attention to yourself by wearing an opponents colors. If you cant handle hearing profanity or believe that somehow this will scare your son then sorry you may not want to attend an NFL game. I would say dont let a bad experience spoil the fun but I think that having that type of atmosphere besides any violence is part of the fun of the game.

And anyways a couple Bears fan will not be missed at our stadium trust me.... Act like an adult, teach your son some lessons about the proper way to act, watch a great team, and keep the b**chin to a minimum.
Hail

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

This is a sad reality in today's world where we feel we have the right to make even an 8 year old boy feel bad.People pay very good money for these seats(especialy in DC) and no one has the right to wreck the game.

These ass's are everywhere NY,Dallas,Washington,and Philly....I'm a Giants fan yet my son-inlaw and grandson are Skins fans I have tickets to the Giants can I bring them or no..........,point is I should'nt have to worry about it.Ownership ...Danny and the Mara's and son on must address this.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

"When the Redskins scored their first touchdown, four young women -- I'm guessing they were in high school -- turned around and did a little stripper's dance that made my son blush as I cringed. Even putting aside their ages, it was too cold to bare flesh."

So basically, the kids is a fruit. Damn when I was 13 and in the same situation, I would have started rooting for the Redskins if it meant more of their clothes were coming off.

When I was 18 my dad, two brothers age 13 and 10, and I took a trip to Philly for Giants-Eagles at the Vet. People yelled $h!t to us, we just laughed at them and didnt have any problems.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[QUOTE=freddyg12;395859]I would hope we don't ever have the riots or near riots of 'football hooligans' that occur in Europe, or for that matter in S. America & Africa as well.

It's obvious that the author's assumption is that nfl games once were family friendly, whether from his personal experience or learning from others. I would agree w/him that the culture of sports has become way too uncivil. All the stories from Philly & West Va. U. may be exaggerated, but that doesn't mean people there are downright mean & sometimes criminal in their behavior.

Sad to say, but one of my best fan experiences was last month at Texas Stadium. I sat beside a couple cowpoke fans that were knowledgeable of the game, poked fun at some of the dallas halftime shows, & even wished me a safe trip home. Texas Stadium was dry until a few years ago, so the local culture may be less tolerant of public drunkeness. Also, I noticed that there was not one beer man in the upper level stands once the game began, whereas at fedex I was in the nose bleeds but could get a beer every 20 minutes if I needed one (which I did!).[/QUOTE]
A friend of mine went to Rome last week and went to the Roma-Man U match. They Man U fans were in their own fenced off section. Were escorted out of the stadium by police. When my friend and his friend were about to cross some bridge (on foot) someone heard them speaking English and said, "You better not go over there. People are going to just assume you are Man U supporters." Three people were stabbed, one guy had his throat slice and my friend actually stepped over a stream of blood as they walked. This is obviously over the line, but yelling, ball busting, even cursing at opposing fans is not that big of a deal in my opinion. I go see the Rangers on the road 2-3 times a year. This year going to Tampa, Miami, and Montreal. I go see them in Philly every year at least once and this will be the first time in 7 years I am not going to Pittsburgh (schedule just didnt work out right). I wear my rangers stuff, get yelled out, but at no time have I ever felt threatened for my safety. I have seen the Giants play in Cleveland, Washington, and Philly, and the same thing. People say things, but again all in good fun and part of the experience of going on the road in my opinion.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

Seriously it sounds like this guy was just bitter because his gay Bears lost. If the boy is 13 it is time to man up and learn some dirty words.

Take him to a baseball game if you want clean fun experiment.

MAybe NFL games have become like bars no place for children.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[QUOTE=mredskins;395944]MAybe NFL games have become like bars no place for children.[/QUOTE]That's fine. I get annoyed when I am at MSG for Rangers-Isles or Rangers-Flyers, and I am getting into it with some opposing fans and some a$$hole says, "Come on guys, my 5-year old daughter doesnt need to hear that." 1) 5 year olds do not belong there, 2) don't sit in the 400's.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=mredskins;395944]Seriously it sounds like this guy was just bitter because his gay Bears lost. If the boy is 13 it is time to man up and learn some dirty words.

Take him to a baseball game if you want clean fun experiment.

MAybe NFL games have become like bars no place for children.[/quote]


I'll say this to you and Coggs .....................why do you get to decide that,why do you guys get to make the choice of what my son or daughter learn or were the're aloud to go nowhere on the tickets does it say you must be 18 or older?
My father has had his seat with the Giants since 1948 he was worried I might get lost but there was never a problem with kids at the game people were respectful of others............boo yup .Never did they attack a coach's(verbally )family or female fans in the stands.Maybe they called him a bum but that was it.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=coggs;395946]That's fine. I get annoyed when I am at MSG for Rangers-Isles or Rangers-Flyers, and I am getting into it with some opposing fans and some a$$hole says, "Come on guys, my 5-year old daughter doesnt need to hear that." 1) 5 year olds do not belong there, 2) don't sit in the 400's.[/quote]
I am assuming that several of these most recent posts are written by people who are on the younger end of the spectrum.
If your at a public venue, then you have a social duty and legal responsibility to not get "drunk in public" and show your ass. You have to be responsible in all of your actions. Good natured fun between fans of opposing team is expected... getting drunk and showing your education level is not.

So, if we use your point of people sitting in the cheap seats (let's ignore which team or sporting event), then you have more of a license to be an idiot? Most young families can only afford the cheaper seats. So, your saying families with less money have to be subjected to idiots if they go to a game, but a family with more money doesn't?

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

I have had tickets in Section 402 for about 7 years now.

I have taken my daughter every single year.

No problems to report, really.

I was at the Bears game, and can tell you I remember more drunk females at that game than I have ever seen.

But night games are different than day games, and I wouldn't take my daughter because, hold onto your hats, it was a SCHOOL night.

We sat in front of some bear fans, and really had a terrific time with them. Very firnedly, polite, complimenting each other when someone would make a good play.

As to Cheap seats, it cost a minimum of about $150 for two people to walk into the game, so there are no cheap seats.

If you think paying for your ticket gives you the right to be boorish, wait til you pay your bailbondsman and your lawyer.

J-Dawg

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=coggs;395946]That's fine. I get annoyed when I am at MSG for Rangers-Isles or Rangers-Flyers, and I am getting into it with some opposing fans and some a$$hole says, "Come on guys, my 5-year old daughter doesnt need to hear that." 1) 5 year olds do not belong there, 2) don't sit in the 400's.[/quote]

Man, I remember being like 8 years old at a Caps Flyers game and you wanna talk rowdy. Dude`s fightin outside before the game, during the game, and after the game. It was the coolest thing ever. If you go to a sporting event that includes hard hitting and trash talk on the feild, you should expect it in the stands. You want pretty, non contact, respectful action, go to a nats cubs game, nobody will be there to ruin the game for this guy or his son.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

It's all about personal responsibility and the alarming lack thereof in society today.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

Sit in the bleachers at Yankee stadium with full Red Sox gear on then write an article...

When i go to a game I hate to say it but i check my degree at the door and become superfan..its so expensive to make it to games but I have to say I love the atmoshpere. I came down to watch the Giants Skins game in Dec 05..seeing a stadium full of Redskins fans was incredible..Everybody was freindly..even the Gaints fans were good natured when receiving insults..Its the luck of the draw where u will sit and how much you will be harrassed..but odds are against you of having that much fun if your a bears fan on a losing night at Fedex field.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

Well to be honest, I have never attended a Lions game where I was sitted near anybody remotely sober other than myself or my buds. We never drank before or during a game, but plenty of drunken slobs starting fights, using foul language, to provide entertainment if the game itself sucked. A professional sports venue is no place for kids anymore, which is a sad indictment of how things have gone down hill. Going to Lions games as a kid you never had that problem( I am 37). That being said though, the state of affairs is a lot better than with the soccer crazies in Europe as you guys have said. God damn, they treat a game like it is war!!! I hope it never gets that bad over here.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

I'm taking 70Chip III to the Dallas game next Sunday. He's 11 years old and frankly I'm more concerned about him starting trouble with Cowboys fans than I am about anything else.

What's interesting to me is that when I went to RFK as a kid, the adults would get really, really smashed, but for the most part this did not result in mayhem or violations of the rights of others. It seemed to merely make them more jovial in a drunken, homeless Santa sort of way. Sort of like Otis from the old Andy Griffith show. When people my age or younger go a bender they seem to become confrontational much more often. It's like the difference between Woodstock (peace, love, dope) and Woodstock 2 (beer, fire, sexual assault).

Also, I would never take my kid to a game in Philadelphia or New York wearing Redskins gear. It simply wouldn't be safe. Dallas wouldn't worry me as much.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;396017]It's all about personal responsibility and the alarming lack thereof in society today.[/quote]


The thing in a nutshell.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

Hmkay... I´m 29 years old now and I´m going to soccer games in Germany since I was about 11 or 12.

As we in Germany ain´t got that big conncers with drinking in public like [I]hear [/I]/ [I]read [/I]it from U.S. (never been over there), there always were drunk people. There always was lots of aggression, even pure hate in the stands. Noone would ever think about going into another teams crowd [B]during[/B] the game. After the game, that was and mainly is a completely different story. In game, there are insults, yellings, whatsoever, and after the game... I never had any problems with opponent fans before or after a game, except maybe some friendly word duels. In that nearly 20 years of soccer games in different leagues I never had a fight or even saw one. Okay, I got luck that most of the games I saw weren´t with [I]problem[/I] Teams with a great amount of violent fans.

Which became a problem mainly in the last years. The overall violence went down, but brutality for the most people went up. In former times, Hooligans went to a game, then met outside in a wood or something where noone else would get hurt. They had a (weird, but nonetheless) code of honor. Today, their heirs watch out for victims, not opponents.

As for the mentioned game in Italy, yeah, they have a much more violent scene than we have, because there is more corruption, more politics and less discipline involved in soccer.

So, basically... the usual soccer game here is not the least bit dangerous for a child. They may learn "bad" words, but that´s all. And actually, that doesn´t kill childs.

And, if that writer is such a "sweetheart" he maybe shouldn´t watch sports in stadium anyway...

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=Redskin Rich;395958]I am assuming that several of these most recent posts are written by people who are on the younger end of the spectrum.
If your at a public venue, then you have a social duty and legal responsibility to not get "drunk in public" and show your ass. You have to be responsible in all of your actions. Good natured fun between fans of opposing team is expected... getting drunk and showing your education level is not.

So, if we use your point of people sitting in the cheap seats (let's ignore which team or sporting event), then you have more of a license to be an idiot? Most young families can only afford the cheaper seats. So, your saying families with less money have to be subjected to idiots if they go to a game, but a family with more money doesn't?[/quote]


Good points!I agree.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

It's all about personal responsibility and respect for others.

I've been to numerous sporting events in my day (Skins, O's, Nats, Caps, Terps, and Seagulls (Salisbury represent)). On occasion, I've been know to partake in more than my fair share of booze, cheer on my teams, and shout at opposing teams fans. I have never gotten in any fist fight with another fan, nor have I been so embarrassing to the point where people have to restrain and/or remove me for the situation.

There is a fine line between superfan-ism and stupidity. Unfortunately, most stupidity at sporting events occur when people jump over that line and forget to keep their self-responsibility and respect in check. Whatever you do to yourself is fine, however if it disrupts those around you, that is where the problem lies. The person next to you as the same right to have a good time as you do, and if you disrupt that, it's not kosher.

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American society is getting weak. Football is a rough sport and attracts a rough audience, get over it, deal with it or dont go, there will always be someone to buy a ticket so the owners dont care. I enjoy getting drunk and getting crazy with opposing fans, inside and outside of the stadium.

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[quote=chrisl4064;397657]American society is getting weak. Football is a rough sport and attracts a rough audience, get over it, deal with it or dont go, there will always be someone to buy a ticket so the owners dont care. I enjoy getting drunk and getting crazy with opposing fans, inside and outside of the stadium.[/quote]
Your age is showing.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

IMO,I believe Beer and Alcohol in general should be banned from football games.There is no need and maybe the people that think they know the game would realize they don't.

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[quote=Giantone;397668]IMO,I believe Beer and Alcohol in general should be banned from football games.There is no need and maybe the people that think they know the game would realize they don't.[/quote]
See... I was agreeing with you up until now. There is nothing wrong with having a beer at the game. 99% of the people who drink at a game act responsibly. It is the other 1% that are stupid. You just can't stop stupid.

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[quote=Redskin Rich;397661]Your age is showing.[/quote]

Yes I agree, when i go to the stadium I am immature, and for the next week i hear stories of how out of control myself and my friends are. However, I cant help it, and nor will I try to defend my actions and blame alcohol. I am a true asshole when I go to the game especially to philly fans. I have never gone over the line at anyone who didnt deserve it though. I target those who come to Fedex to bash Skins fans and I make thier experience miserable. I have also been known to yell at skins fans for wearing Lavar jerseys within the last few years... kind of uncalled for but I cant help it, I always hated the guy.

I did however tell a lady at Costco that her baby would be cuter if it were wearing a redskins hat.... Talk about stink eye!

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=Giantone;397668]IMO,I believe Beer and Alcohol in general should be banned from football games.There is no need and maybe the people that think they know the game would realize they don't.[/quote]


This is borderline an anti-American comment

be careful, next thing I know you will be preaching no turkey on thanksgiving!


im kidding , however if they banned alcohol you would be punnishing 70% of people who can control themselves, its only 10 percent of people who are out of control. Also, that 10 percent would find a way to bring in alcohol if they really wanted to. I have snuck in almost 12 beers wearing hockey socks during the winter before. And yes, im proud of that!

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=chrisl4064;397674]This is borderline an anti-American comment

be careful, next thing I know you will be preaching no turkey on thanksgiving!


im kidding , however if they banned alcohol you would be punnishing 70% of people who can control themselves, its only 10 percent of people who are out of control. Also, that 10 percent would find a way to bring in alcohol if they really wanted to. I have snuck in almost 12 beers wearing hockey socks during the winter before. And yes, im proud of that![/quote]
And we have proof of my last comment

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

Reeeaaaaallllly gay article.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[QUOTE=BDBohnzie;397510]It's all about personal responsibility and respect for others.

I've been to numerous sporting events in my day (Skins, O's, Nats, Caps, Terps, and Seagulls (Salisbury represent)). On occasion, I've been know to partake in more than my fair share of booze, cheer on my teams, and shout at opposing teams fans. I have never gotten in any fist fight with another fan, nor have I been so embarrassing to the point where people have to restrain and/or remove me for the situation.

There is a fine line between superfan-ism and stupidity. Unfortunately, most stupidity at sporting events occur when people jump over that line and forget to keep their self-responsibility and respect in check. Whatever you do to yourself is fine, however if it disrupts those around you, that is where the problem lies. The person next to you as the same right to have a good time as you do, and if you disrupt that, it's not kosher.[/QUOTE]

I agree. I have never gotten into a physical altercation at a game, but have gotten into it pretty good with some opposing fans. Insults, rough languague, you name it. The closest I have ever come to a fight was with another Rangers fan. With my Penguin fan brother and he was on crutches as he just had ACL surgery the week before. Rangers fan called him a handicapped bastard and I got right in his face. Other time was in Philly for rangers-flyers. In the mens room, some clown makes a remark about me wearing my rangers jersey, "You can get your a$$ kicked wearing that here." I looked at him and said, "By who? Because you are definitely not kicking my ass." He then said, "Maybe not me, but there are 50 of us in here." Then I said, "Oh, so you are the pu$$y who shoots off his mouth and hopes people will back him up?" His friends even laughed at him, but thinking back, that could have easily caused a problem. Note: I wasn't drunk in either case.

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[QUOTE=Giantone;397668]IMO,I believe Beer and Alcohol in general should be banned from football games.There is no need and maybe the people that think they know the game would realize they don't.[/QUOTE]
In the stadium it wouldn't matter. When I go to a Giants game I am there a minimum of 4 hours early and I start drinking, I rarely get drunk. I can't remember ever buying a beer inside the stadium. They could try banning alcohol in the parking lot, but that is not easy to enforce.

Re: The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?
 

[quote=coggs;397686]In the stadium it wouldn't matter. When I go to a Giants game I am there a minimum of 4 hours early and I start drinking, I rarely get drunk. I can't remember ever buying a beer inside the stadium. They could try banning alcohol in the parking lot, [B]but that is not easy to enforce[/B].[/quote]

Prohibition anyone?

Although that was banning alcohol everywhere, the same kinda thing would go down if you banned it from games and the parking lot. Not the wild outburst of crime, but the fact that if people banned it they will jump through whatever hoops necessary to try to sneak it in anyway.

You're banned from bringing outside food into a movie theater yet I sat next to a couple who snuck HARD LIQUOR into the movie.

Fact of the matter is, if you make a rule like no alcohol, people are just gonna break it anyway. In fact, if it was me, and they banned alcohol, I'd just get drink prior to the game and take public transportation to the game.

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You actually get drunk by american beer? :confused: Wow. What´s next? Banning water from the Stadium? :nono:

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[quote=TheGuyFromOverThere;397710]You actually get drunk by american beer? :confused: Wow. What´s next? Banning water from the Stadium? :nono:[/quote]

First of all they do not realize what they are missing. Most of them have never drank anything but American beer. I myself can not drink American beer unless I am really desperate. Second of all, American Beer still contains alcohol and the alcohol content is only slightly lower than most German Beer. I would have to agree that American beer does taste like flavored water and it does take longer to get drunk off of it. In all honesty I wish that they would sell a good German Weisen Bier at our stadiums, but they do not. We gotta drink what we can get.

I like Warsteiner and 1898, personally.