The Crowd At The Stadium

[MrYeahBut]

I think all the drunk idiots kinda kill the buzz for some people. I mean adults in their 30's acting like stupid teenagers. Every fan is different.

I always try to get tix in no alcohol section.


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[football karma]

A few things: I have been to plenty of other cities on business and love talking NFL with the locals. Almost all complain about opposing fans. NY Giant fans complain about Cowboy fans in Giants stadium. Minnesota fans complain about GB and Chicago and vice versa. Every NFL city in the Sunbelt deals with the issue in spades-- In Florida, its the northeast teams' fans. If you looked closely last night-- there were plenty of SF fans there. Seatlle's main source of transplants is California.

Regarding Arizona-- in the Phoenix metro, literally 1 out of 2 people in the valley have shown up in the last 20 years. So -- we have this huge population base where a fair number of people buy tickets as much for the NFL experience as to specifically support the Cards.

 

[Bodha]

This franchise has been an abomination its entire existence


I didnt realize we owed the prestigious Arizona Cardinals anything






we AZ fans are saintly as it is. This could very easily be the AZ Jaguars, but we still sell out home games.

 

[earthsci]

A little better according to the rankings of this study...

Reading the comments and most Seahawks' fans agree with it.

Study: Seattle Seahawks have 10th-worst fans in the NFL

http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/...tle-seahawks-have-10th-worst-fans-in-the-nfl/

Then there is this -

Seahawks fans set crowd noise record, then break it

 

[desertdawg]

I wouldn't call it a crowd, more like a small mix of NFL fans that get harassed by each other and the stadium's STAFF all at the same great time. In that small mix are some hard core Cardinal fans (me being one) that can't understand how physically able folks show up and stay seated the entire time. Then you have the hardcore Cardinal fans that can't understand how folks show up and stand up the whole time. Add in the opposing fans, who only get to see there squad once in a blue moon like Halley's comet style...and they are way too jacked for my punk ass, who is still trying to make friends with the Cardinals fan who's view I am blocking....uh oh, they're calling me out of my seat now, they gotta a serious text about a hippie dancing and the niner fan is blaming the white guy with dredlocks...meet you in the parking lot, I just got ejected, no you can't take your $10 beer with you or finish it, thank you, please come again.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Then there is this -

Seahawks fans set crowd noise record, then break it

Still goes hand in hand with the comments from the article - like this one:

As a long time Seahawks fan, I regretfully have to agree with the article. I had season tickets for a number of years, including the beginning of the Holmgren era. The stadium was almost never full. Now it is always packed. I think the Seahawks are exciting and trendy right now. Pair that with a beautiful new stadium and PRESTO!: Band-wagoners everywhere. Sorry guys, I know the Hawks have a solid fan base, but we also have a ton of band- wagon fans. Respect to those of you who stick through thick and thin. The rest of you.........enjoy our team.

Who cares if they are loud, louder, or loudest if they are a bunch of bandwagon fans and won't be there when the team is struggling or flat out sucks...?

 

[Stronso]

Arizona fans are the worst IMO been flamed many times for it on here.

The team has been in AZ for a quarter damn century. The excuses of its going to take time to build up a fan base and it's gonna take time for them to learn how to act and when to cheer is complete BS and just an excuse.

Half empty at the start of games is a regular occurance. Not filling up till almost halfway through 1st qtr. a complete joke!

You get yelled at by fellow fans for standing up and cheering your team. It's not just football either. Was yelled at numerous times at Sun games by suns fan for standing up. Same people and same mentality. AZ is full of fickle snobby sports fans who just think they are better than you! FACT!

Word

 

[SECTION 11]

Valley sports fans blow. Worst in the country for a market this size.

 

[RedViper]

Phoenix is a horrible sports market. Way too many transplants. Way too few people willing to make a stand for the home team. Anyone who doesn't see this either doesn't know what they are talking about it or is just a complete dreamer. Why worry about it though? Screw all the Phoenicians that wear steelers or bears or dallas colors. It makes me like the Cardinals even more.

 

[Cardiac]

I too commented to my wife at how quite the fans were early in the game. No excuse for this, transplants or not.

I live in Allentown Pa and should be an Eagles fan or still acceptable a Steelers fan. Thing is I lived in Mo. when Don Coryell was the Cards HC and they are simply my team and always will be. Don't care that the Steelers have won 6 SB's and the Eagles went to the playoffs for like 10 years in a row, I'm normal and bleed RED.

So I agree with Dems and others who say your first love is your first love and geography doesn't change that.

The Eagles are my second team I root for but I may watch 4 of their games a year. If the Eagles need to beat the Cards to get to the playoffs and the Cards need to lose to get the 1st pick in the draft............I WANT the Cards to win.

 

[DoTheDew]

Who cares if they are loud, louder, or loudest if they are a bunch of bandwagon fans and won't be there when the team is struggling or flat out sucks...?

Well, those bandwagon fans helped their team win. There's 0 doubt that the noise level in that stadium was making things difficult for Kaepernick and the entire SF offense all day.

Bandwagon fans and a win is always better than no bandwagoners and a loss.

 

[Shane]

I agree on this to some extent... and this is coming from someone that moved down from the club section for the first time since the stadium opened. I texted a friend complaining about how it was still miserably mellow down in the lower bowl, and got agreement from his TV perspective. I understood (to some extent) being asked to sit down up in the club area, but I heard another guy a few seats over getting yelled at by the guy behind him for standing up on a defensive 3rd down, even though the people in front of him were on their feet.

The 4th was even more maddening. The three people behind me left during the drive that we scored the go-ahead TD on, saying it was time to beat the traffic, and then a guy behind them was sitting within two minutes while his wife and I encouraged him to get into the game...

Just awful.

That IS Arizona fans to a freaking tee!

 

[GatorAZ]

I always try to get tix in no alcohol section.


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In the lower bowl? How does that work...

 

[TJ]

In 2008, during the Super Bowl run, the team had the fourth highest avg % to capacity in the NFL at 101.1%

http://espn.go.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2008/sort/homePct

Fast forward. In 2012, the Cards were 19th with an avg % to capacity at 96%

http://espn.go.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2012/sort/homePct

The Valley has proven over the past 15 years that if you build it, they'll come. But if not, they'll find something else to do. Much like Los Angeles, except there's no football team. Prior to Puig-mania, you could buy Dodger tickets for $1 on Stub Hub. Good luck finding that deal anymore. The Clippers offered 2-for-1 tickets through the Entertainment catalog and other mediums yet still struggled to sell tickets until CP3 came along. Or make fun of them if their team loses and they're leaving with 2 minutes to go to do the Walk of Shame up the aisles.

Once the Cardinals lay a foundation for perpetual success (whenever that may be), we can stop having these conversations about our "lame, fickle" fan base. Until then, we must continue to call 8-8 seasons as a success and a "sign of things to come next year."

It sucks to deal with empty seats and opposing fans invading the stadium, but at this point, if as a Cardinals fan you haven't accepted that reality, then your game day experience is already ruined. Try and have fun with them. Many of the opposing fans are quite cool and will talk Xs and Os if you let them.

Also, realize that other stadiums have the same issues as us. San Diego is a great example. The freaking Texans fans came in droves to the MNF game last week.

 

[ANDY440]

Just a thought as to why it may have been kind of subdued Sunday. I for one was outside in 105 degrees tailgating for 4 hours & my but was dragging by the time I got inside.

 

[Hollywood]

That IS Arizona fans to a freaking tee!

Those aren't fans. Those are people going to a game. There is a big difference.

Also, as opposed to complaining about the fans let me ask you what you are doing to change it.

I used to, when I had more money, give my extra ticket away to a potential fan.

I know for a fact that TigToad abuses his position as a teacher to get his students excited about rooting for the Cardinals.

 

[BigRedRage]

I was there as well. Most exciting electrifying sporting events I've ever been to.

When the new ownership quit caring about the product on the court I did as well.

do they still play alan parsons when the players come out? That was always so exciting back in the KJ/Majerle days.

 

[splitsecond]

Bunk. I sure did I quit going to games over 15 years ago.

You can say bunk but it's the reason I quit going as well.

 

[Duckjake]

Those aren't fans. Those are people going to a game. There is a big difference.

Also, as opposed to complaining about the fans let me ask you what you are doing to change it.

I used to, when I had more money, give my extra ticket away to a potential fan.

I know for a fact that TigToad abuses his position as a teacher to get his students excited about rooting for the Cardinals.

When I had more money I couldn't give my extra tickets away. Then the Cards went to the SB and I could sell them to Cards fans. Then DeWreck Anderson showed up and I couldn't give my tickets away again. Then the economy hit the skids and I couldn't afford to come to the games anymore.

But then like several on here I'm a non Arizona resident and have only been to St.Louis twice in my life but I'm a life long Cardinal fan. Both sports. But then I do have an excuse. When I was very young, and 40year was having his first great grandchildren, Houston was the baseball Cardinals farm team. And of course we could listen to the baseball games at night on KMOX. So I don't really get on people who remain loyal to their childhood team when they move.

Hard to believe that for a couple of years before the Cards moved to St.Louis I was a Packers fan. Also hard to believe I went to my first Cardinals game in Phoenix 23 years ago and its been 14 years since I first met Jumbotron Eddie and Derm and my great friend AzCards21 and the Derminators.

Dang I'm old.

 

[Totally_Red]

When I had more money I couldn't give my extra tickets away. Then the Cards went to the SB and I could sell them to Cards fans. Then DeWreck Anderson showed up and I couldn't give my tickets away again. Then the economy hit the skids and I couldn't afford to come to the games anymore.

But then like several on here I'm a non Arizona resident and have only been to St.Louis twice in my life but I'm a life long Cardinal fan. Both sports. But then I do have an excuse. When I was very young, and 40year was having his first great grandchildren, Houston was the baseball Cardinals farm team. And of course we could listen to the baseball games at night on KMOX. So I don't really get on people who remain loyal to their childhood team when they move.

Hard to believe that for a couple of years before the Cards moved to St.Louis I was a Packers fan. Also hard to believe I went to my first Cardinals game in Phoenix 23 years ago and its been 14 years since I first met Jumbotron Eddie and Derm and my great friend AzCards21 and the Derminators.

Dang I'm old.

Same here, lifelong Cardinals fan-baseball & football. In the 1960s, there were Saturday & Sunday baseball games on NBC & CBS. The Cardinals were lucky to be on those games 3-4 times a season. The Yankees every weekend. The networks took turns broadcasting NY. I had to get my baseball Cardinals fix on the radio.
For football, it was the hated Bears every weekend and the 'Big Red' occasionally on MNF.

 

[ajcardfan]

Same here, lifelong Cardinals fan-baseball & football. In the 1960s, there were Saturday & Sunday baseball games on NBC & CBS. The Cardinals were lucky to be on those games 3-4 times a season. The Yankees every weekend. The networks took turns broadcasting NY. I had to get my baseball Cardinals fix on the radio.
For football, it was the hated Bears every weekend and the 'Big Red' occasionally on MNF.

Where I grew up I had to watch the Dallas Cowboys EVERY single week, or not watch football for that three hours. Fortunately, my dad raised me right to hate the Cowboys, and we always enjoyed when they lost.

 

[crisper57]

Where I grew up I had to watch the Dallas Cowboys EVERY single week, or not watch football for that three hours. Fortunately, my dad raised me right to hate the Cowboys, and we always enjoyed when they lost.

Same situation here, but I had poor parenting. Huge Cowboys household. I was the black sheep because I actively rooted against them every Sunday. Leon Lett is my favorite Cowboy all time.

 

[MrYeahBut]

In the lower bowl? How does that work...

I usually get my tix from Stubhub and I look for seats in Section 114, labeled as family section. I think it used to be 112 or 113 which were a little better seats but they changed it a year or 2 ago. There is a section in the upper deck somewhere that's alcohol free but I've never sat there.

When I sit in the upper deck, I sit with Andy440 and he's not a drunk..

.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I usually get my tix from Stubhub and I look for seats in Section 114, labeled as family section. I think it used to be 112 or 113 which were a little better seats but they changed it a year or 2 ago. There is a section in the upper deck somewhere that's alcohol free but I've never sat there.

When I sit in the upper deck, I sit with Andy440 and he's not a drunk..

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My section 432 is alcohol free. Great for families. Don't have to deal with a lot of the BS.

 

[snowthedirtbub]

The Cardinals have been absolutely pitiful since they moved to Arizona save for a few years. When the Cardinals have success like the Patriots, Steelers, 49ers, etc. and still have the same problems then you can complain about the fans. When the Cardinals are going 5-11 I have much better things to do than drive an hour to Glendale, watch a team lose and not only lose but not even put up a fight, then drive an hour home, and pay for the pleasure of doing it.

I'm speaking generally this season may turn out to be a good one and the team has been exciting to watch so far.