The Dean Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) Every stadium. Don't wear your team's jersey if you don't want to be harassed. Simple I have worn Bills gear to away games, but never to an AFCE opponent's stadium. I think that's the difference maker. More often than not, I am treated respectfully by the other fans because I know my place. I'm there to cheer my team , not be an a-hole and talk trash about the team and fans that have, essentially, made me their guest. All that being said, If I were a Pats* fan, I would stay away from the Ralph this weekend. No good can come of wearing a NE jersey with the animals that are going to be riled up and ready to rumble by the time they hit the lot. I think these two posts hit the nail on the head. I've been to many away games and have NEVER had a problem with opposing fans. This includes several games against the Raiders in Oakland and LA. In fact I think I had as much fun with the the Raiders fans in LA as I have anywhere. Pittsburgh fans were cool, too. (Jet's fans, on the other hand, suck---home and especially away.) But I don't cover myself in Bills gear. I don't talk smack to those tailgating in the lot--in fact, I try to drink with them. I don't scream stuff at them or try to rile them up. I understand I'm going to take a bit of s#it, and do it in good humor. During the game, if given an opportunity (after taking the temperature of the room, so to speak) I might give some good-natured s#it back--but always being careful to keep it light. My advice to any fan, going to a home or away game is: Use some freaking sense. Put your macho ass#ole attitude in a bag for the day (and step on it, so it never comes out again). Edited September 17, 2015 by The Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 While I hope no one gets murdered, if someone wearing a Brady jersey left with a broken jaw I would probably laugh in his face. I'd like to say I'd be IK with that but honestly I can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaaadThingsMan Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 The *cheating pricks* with *marsha* are 23-3 vs the Bills, I'd imagine there's alot of pent up frustration built up amongst Bills fans. Not an excuse but if u know the other team is already agitated it's probably safer to leave the fan gear home in this case On a side note....I NEVER wear Bills gear in Oakland but have no problem wearing it in SF. These are not bitter rivals but Oakland is not the place to be messing around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scribo Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I've worked special security at several NFL stadiums and venues for other sports. No matter where you are, there are going to be some fans acting poorly, often violently. It is not reflection of the team or fan base. How a team has its staff respond is crucial and does vary widely. Several Major League Soccer teams often play in stadiums much larger than they need, which gives them some really effective flexibility. Soccer fans often form groups, parking, tailgating and walking through the stadium together. Some teams give these groups escorts through the crowds when they visit other team's stadiums, sitting them apart from the home fans. It works really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Just heard the guys on WGR talking about someone from NE asking if they would be in danger coming to the game Sunday. I'm all for a rowdy atmosphere and as a season ticket holder, I love the effect we can have on the game. But it's unfortunate that this fan probably IS in danger coming to the game wearing patriots gear. Most fans will not be idiots, but there are still a lot who will cause problems. Thoughts? Reading the terrible things that has happened out in California like at Dodgers, Oakland, games of fans being terrified to go to the game first & walk to their cars should have some bearing on weather or not L.A. gets a 3rd shot at having another NFL team . It also makes me as a Bills fan hope that all of our fans realize THIS IS A GAME & we would be smarter by welcoming other fans to the Ralph & have some light rivalry going on but not to take it so far that people don't want to come spend money here . Although the last time i was at the Ralph & it was a N.E. Pats game i did see some jack ass fans from both sides of the fence ! But that was from the Pats always winning & this time i think it could be a bit different !! Go Bills !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I've said this before... Been to at least 6 different stadiums to see the Bills play, and Bills fans are by far the worst in regards to treatment of opposing teams fans. That being said, I haven't been to see a game vs the Eagles, Jets, or Pats in their house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Why are people here saying Bills fans are being a-holes for giving opposing fans a hard time? There is a major difference between being an !@#$ and being violent/aggressive. I've seen more aggression with Bills on Bills behavior then I have against opposing. If you show up at an opposing stadium in the opposing colors/garb you better be cool. You better not get worked up and realize how you're going to get treated. Two years ago Patriots@Bills opener sitting behind Thurmal, Beerball and I, there were obnoxious Patriot fans that called security for being loud and cheering the Bills. They didn't taunt the Pats fans, nothing. They called security and the guys were taken away for about 20 minutes just because the Pats fans were a-holes. At the end of the game I said something to them, they were Boston cops. I said they were !@#$s who need to go back to Boston and stay out of Buffalo and not to forget where they are. They seemed to be bothered by this and told me more or less that if I come to Boston they would be sure to give me a hard time and further taunted me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 All stadiums have some great and some not so great fans. You just have to be smart and really a bit lucky when it comes to where you sit. For every "I've been to this and that stadium and never had an issue story", there are people with the exact opposite experience. I always tell opposing teams fans around my section to cheer for your team, but don't go over the top. I will stick up for you if you're just cheering, but get in someone's face or act obnoxious and you're on your own....I have had to back some Bills fans off of opposing fans more than once, because they were simply just cheering for their team and being respectful and didn't deserve the attack...But overall I have had very few issues with opposing teams fans in my section in my many years as a season ticket holder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I've said this before... Been to at least 6 different stadiums to see the Bills play, and Bills fans are by far the worst in regards to treatment of opposing teams fans. That being said, I haven't been to see a game vs the Eagles, Jets, or Pats in their house. Carolina is rough against Saints and Falcons fans. Against the Jets, Steelers, Cowboys, Bills and Browns you have almost as many visiting fans as you do home fans. But, still, this narrative that we treat opposing fans bad? So? So what? Don't come to our house and piss on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) Reading the terrible things that has happened out in California like at Dodgers, Oakland, games of fans being terrified to go to the game first & walk to their cars should have some bearing on weather or not L.A. gets a 3rd shot at having another NFL team . My parent went to SF to see the Bills play recently and I was actually very nervous for their safety. But luckily no incidents, just some minor harassing in the parking lot. From my own experience, I have been confronted in Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. But I didn't act like a d*ck and was smart enough to realize I was severely outnumbered and simply walked away. There are idiots at every stadium, there is no such thing as a zero incident stadium... Edited September 17, 2015 by ricojes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 ^Truth 90% of the opposing fans that come to the Ralph are Canadians. And for the life of me I will never understand how there are so many Canadians that are Dolphins fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 But, still, this narrative that we treat opposing fans bad? So? So what? Don't come to our house and piss on it. Define "treat opposing fans bad"? There is good natured heckling, and then there are the knuckleheads who have their beer muscles pumped up before they even walk in the stadium and are looking for an opposing fans whether they are minding their own business or not. If you don't think the out of control drinking in the lots carries over to the stadium, you are living in a dreamland. That being said, the same holds trues for some of the opposing fans who come in liquored up looking for trouble. In that case, you won't end up seeing the end of the game nor will the Bills fans who can't find a way to turn the other cheek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolishDave Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 ^Truth 90% of the opposing fans that come to the Ralph are Canadians. I've noticed this a lot too. I welcome somebody to Buffalo and ask them where they are from. Typical answers are Ontario, Toronto, St. Catherines, etc... Some of the Canadians are really easy to pick out. They are the only people at the game who are wearing jerseys for a team that isn't playing in that stadium. Check it out. Next time you see someone wearing a Colts jersey during a Bills vs. Jets game, go ask them. They will say they are Canadian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Define "treat opposing fans bad"? There is good natured heckling, and then there are the knuckleheads who have their beer muscles pumped up before they even walk in the stadium and are looking for an opposing fans whether they are minding their own business or not. If you don't think the out of control drinking in the lots carries over to the stadium, you are living in a dreamland. That being said, the same holds trues for some of the opposing fans who come in liquored up looking for trouble. In that case, you won't end up seeing the end of the game nor will the Bills fans who can't find a way to turn the other cheek. You're the one who stated: Bills fans are by far the worst in regards to treatment of opposing teams fans. So, you need to define it, for starters. Drinking is not an issue at the Ralph. I have been to the Browns, Lions, Panthers, and a ton of college stadiums. I have seen equal behavior at the Browns and college stadiums. The injection of the phrase "out of control drinking" cements your position as being anti-alcohol. I do not see why? There are some things you do not do at any stadium: Take children under 8 years old. Wear your teams colors obnoxiously and scream and holler every time you get. Binge drink. Pound on the seats in front of you for noise. Stand the whole game. There are some things you do at your own risk: bring a child under 12, wear opposing colors... Your stance and argument are flawed based upon your outlandish statements. You are the one who introduced the phrase, you define it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I've noticed this a lot too. I welcome somebody to Buffalo and ask them where they are from. Typical answers are Ontario, Toronto, St. Catherines, etc... Some of the Canadians are really easy to pick out. They are the only people at the game who are wearing jerseys for a team that isn't playing in that stadium. Check it out. Next time you see someone wearing a Colts jersey during a Bills vs. Jets game, go ask them. They will say they are Canadian. No need...they are always Canadian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaRun Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Frankly, Im glad Pats fans are nervous and scared about coming into OUR house. We've had too many Pats fans coming in and strutting around for way too long. The Gronkowski family sits in the box right behind my seats and it makes me sick to see all the Pats jerseys in there being worn by a group of Buffalonians. The amount of Pats fans infiltrating our gates has been growing every year, and it's time we flush them out with the rest of the turds. this. In 13 years of seasons the only fans I can't stand on a large scale basis are Pats fans. I've run into the odd idiot from other teams but with Pats fans it's an epidemic. They are the only fan base in the NFL I won't bother to attempt to talk to or be civil to when tailgating. Everyone else gets a chance to have a couple of beers and a laugh, Pats fans can go to hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leroi Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 This stadium used to be an intimidating place for opposing fans, today, we are welcoming. Opposing fans are welcome in our stadium and they can behave in any manner they want. Too many rules to get in trouble and nobody wants to get kicked out or arrested. So no, there is no danger for opposing fans. Bring your kids and enjoy the day... Imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 While I hope no one gets murdered, if someone wearing a Brady jersey left with a broken jaw I would probably laugh in his face. That's pretty pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaninATL Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Agreed. I was thinking this the other day. I hope nobody gets killed at the game with all the hatred of the Patriots i can see things escalate in the crowd very quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) I watched last year's pats game on TV and it was embarrassing how many Pats fans were there. It was so loud when they scored. I just hope it's not like that. If the reputation of the stadium deters them from coming that's a good thing IMO. Edited September 17, 2015 by YoloinOhio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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