OT: Fan Code of Conduct

[RON_IN_OC]

My apologies if this is a repost. I didnt already see it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080805/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_nfl_fan_code

NFL announces new fan code of conduct

NEW YORK - The NFL implemented a new code of fan conduct Tuesday, warning that spectators who misbehave will be ejected from stadiums and barred from coming back.

The policy, first recommended by commissioner Roger Goodell at league meetings in April, is aimed at conduct that the league said "detracts from the gameday experience."

It includes bans on:

• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.

• Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.

• Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

• Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.

• Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.

• Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

"The in-stadium experience is critically important to the NFL, our clubs and our fans and it will be a major focus this season," Goodell said in a statement. "We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can — from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium."

The league also left teams the option of adding additional provisions to the code based on local circumstances. It said the guidelines would be contained in mailings to fans and signs posted at stadiums.

 

[Shzm13]

Looks like i'll have to keep my heckling to a minimum

 

[crisper57]

The league also left teams the option of adding additional provisions to the code based on local circumstances. It said the guidelines would be contained in mailings to fans and signs posted at stadiums.

The Cardinals are considering adding the following provisions to the list:

1. Wearing Cowboys gear inside the stadium.
2. Selling season tickets to opposing fans (like my seat neighbor did all season long)
3. Leaving a tied game in the fourth quarter to beat traffic
4. Saying the phrase, "I root for the Cardinals, except when they play ___."
5. Demanding that Kurt Warner be given the chance to compete fairly for the QB position.

 

[abomb]

Good post, hadnt seen it.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

He's banning illegal behavior? Who does he think he is?!

 

[RON_IN_OC]

The Cardinals are considering adding the following provisions to the list:

1. Wearing Cowboys gear inside the stadium.
2. Selling season tickets to opposing fans (like my seat neighbor did all season long)
3. Leaving a tied game in the fourth quarter to beat traffic
4. Saying the phrase, "I root for the Cardinals, except when they play ___."
5. Demanding that Kurt Warner be given the chance to compete fairly for the QB position.

I love this one. My buddies and I always yell out something like, "Hey, your tickets are good for all 4 quarters." We do the same thing at baseball games to the fans that leave after the 7th inning.

 

[bratwurst]

Oh great! now I'll be safe in Philly and Oakland! Thanks commish, you're the best!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

The Cards also mentioned "excessive standing" in the ticket package. (their own policy, not the NFL) I will be so pissed if I get told to sit in the end zone.

 

[DieHardCardFan]

The Cards also mentioned "excessive standing" in the ticket package. (their own policy, not the NFL) I will be so pissed if I get told to sit in the end zone.

Well get ready to be pissed! Last year the were non-stop giving us hell about standing. Towards the end of the season they made us feel like we were supposed to sit quietly and ignore opposing fans and thier standing and all the trash talk. At one point a SAFE guy told me that we should act like the host team and show some tolerance. And we sit in the endzone with a pretty good group of people who all get along pretty good.

If they continue with this over policing it is gonna make it to where watching from home will be more enjoyable.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Well get ready to be pissed! Last year the were non-stop giving us hell about standing. Towards the end of the season they made us feel like we were supposed to sit quietly and ignore opposing fans and thier standing and all the trash talk. At one point a SAFE guy told me that we should act like the host team and show some tolerance. And we sit in the endzone with a pretty good group of people who all get along pretty good.

If they continue with this over policing it is gonna make it to where watching from home will be more enjoyable.

I will watch from home if I am forced to sit. I don't heckle other team's fans, but I will stand at all critical plays of the game.

 

[redforceone]

I will watch from home if I am forced to sit. I don't heckle other team's fans, but I will stand at all critical plays of the game.

Agree!

 

[BigRedRage]

Standers unite!

 

[SuperSpck]

It includes bans on:

• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.
• Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

The first scares me, after all, who watches the watchmen?

The second is a matter of taste, I've gotten into a thousand civilized discussions about the Cardinals. Initially they start out as insults from opposing fans, but end up devolving into genuine conversation. Where do we draw the line? Obviously the physical is a good place to start, but how about verbal? Doesn't it count as part of home field advantage?

 

[Jersey Girl]

It includes bans on:

• Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.

So, as long as I'm not irresponsible, drunkenness is okay? Cool.

 

[CardEd]

Raiders won't have any season ticket holders left after the first game

 

[Sandan]

I don't get this, we never have any trouble with the SAFE folks about standing.

That makes me wonder if anybody is exaggerating or minimizing their behavior here. Seriously we stand whenever we want to, never had a problem.

 

[Skkorpion]

I don't get this, we never have any trouble with the SAFE folks about standing.

That makes me wonder if anybody is exaggerating or minimizing their behavior here. Seriously we stand whenever we want to, never had a problem.

Me too. Everybody in my section who can, stands at every opportunity. Nobody bothers us about it at all. Sheesh. Such angst.

 

[ajcardfan]

I've been to 9 or 10 D-Backs games and I was told to sit down at one of them. It was the bottom of the 8th and the DBacks were trying to rally and tie the Dodgers. The thing that really ticked me off was it was the FIRST time we had stood!

I've been to somewhere around 200 Cardinals games and I stand a whole lot of the game. I've never been told to sit down.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Could you imagine if they tried to enforce these rules during the south end zone days at SDS? There would have been SAFE guys carried out on strechers.

 

[redforceone]

Me too. Everybody in my section who can, stands at every opportunity. Nobody bothers us about it at all. Sheesh. Such angst.

Skkorp - no angst... If I remember right your seats are above section 118 and there were numerous times we were on Defense we (rows 20 and lower) were told to sit down. It is almost like the S.A.F.E. crew does not understand the opportunity for a home field advantage.

I agree with most of the Fan Code of Conduct - but if they try to enforce a complete "No Standing Rule and Listen to everything the S.A.F.E. person tells you" WOW - that will suck for the Cardinals.

 

[Skkorpion]

Skkorp - no angst... If I remember right your seats are above section 118 and there were numerous times we were on Defense we (rows 20 and lower) were told to sit down. It is almost like the S.A.F.E. crew does not understand the opportunity for a home field advantage.

I agree with most of the Fan Code of Conduct - but if they try to enforce a complete "No Standing Rule and Listen to everything the S.A.F.E. person tells you" WOW - that will suck for the Cardinals.

(Psst - my bad. I was joking. Handicap section right on the concourse. There is only one row of spaces and nobody sits behind us. Only about half the ticket holders can stand at all.)

 

[Brian in Mesa]

(Psst - my bad. I was joking. Handicap section right on the concourse. There is only one row of spaces and nobody sits behind us. Only about half the ticket holders can stand at all.)

I got it, Skkorp. Comic genius.

 

[Sandan]

I was wondering when you posted that buddy

 

[ShadowGBQ]

I think something like this is a dangerous slippery slope. For one thing a lot of homers on the security teams could hound the visiting team's fans more often. Also there is no way to supervise everyone all the time, so if they resort to a text-messaging system or a constant Cops style run-in between the fans and the security people it could get very nasty very fast. Fan A dumps beer on fan B, fan B takes a swing at him. Security arrives. "He came down here and started a fight" says A. Not good...people can & will send dishonest text messages trying to get an opposing fan's goat, or even just an old woman who thinks "heck" is a bad word could cause havoc. It will be hard to enjoy a football game with a Judge Judy episode going on and fans being treated like kids in a classroom, accusations back & forth etc. How do you objectively define what "heckling" is anyway?

I was happy when KC was saying this crap on their own, because anything that makes an opposing stadium easier to play in (and ours more difficult by comparison) is good news for the Cards. Now that it's league-wide I'm not sure what to think. I go to one game a year here in STL when the Cardinals come to town. If the nauseating freak sitting in front of me in a Steven Jackson jersey can text-message security and say "The guy in red behind me grabbed my wife's butt" I am seriously screwed. Luckily Rams fans (who were "with them all along" during the playoff years) are mostly passive and apathetic, they act like they're at the game for the overpriced hot dogs & beer since the team went back in the cellar.

I think this could be a real fiasco for places like Oakland and Philly. They are going to end up kicking out the entire paid crowd. Maybe the old ladies will get their way after all.

 

[black]

ugh ya



Now the Cards will win a SuperBowl and we can't cheer about it. Com'on it's a part of the game. I would understand Philly and Oakland though.