I am not sure what has happened in the last decade but I recall being able to go to games and have a fun time just watching the game. There was always drinking and swearing but it has become 100 times worse in my view. Some cities like Philadelphia are notorious for having the worst problems with fan behavior. It seems like football games have become a license for people to be obnoxious drunks. The Seahawks game this Sunday will be one of the most challenging for both teams. The undercover police will also be looking for unruly behavior, foul or abusive language and verbal as well as physical harassment of opposing team fans or stadium guests and staff members. It is a real change for NFL teams. I have long felt like the team owners have abandoned their stadiums to the lowest common denominator. The result is that fewer families are going. I know at least five other families that no longer go to their respective teams because they do not want to expose their children to abuse from fans.
Football owners have to make a choice. They can keep the broadest fan base or surrender their stadiums to thugs. The Seahawks have made a choice and more importantly have taken action. The question is whether other teams will show the same responsibility.
Of course, with the fight last night at the Jets/Patriots game, fans can just watch players throw punches. It was a bizarre game to watch with both teams struggling. However, the decision to throw two players out of the game after the shoving match showed both teams in the worst light.