Opposing Fan Ettiquete

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

Where's the line drawn between friendly banter, and blatant disrespect between fans of rival/opposing teams? Trash talking is part of the fun of being a fan of the sport, but how far is too far? 

 

The reason I ask is because I was at the Debacle in Houston. I'll admit I'm a loud fan. Yelling on defense, getting excited when we do good, and angry when we play bad. But I've never been disrespectful, and keep foul language to a minimum. Some Texans fans were annoyed by how loud I was when the Bills were on defense, and after the pick six, decided to grab me by the shoulders and violently shake me. I wasn't hurt or anything, but that obviously crossed the line. 

 

Really, I never even got mad at the Texans, just at the Bills. 

Edited October 26, 2018 by The Real Buffalo Joe

[Johnny Hammersticks]

1 minute ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Where's the line drawn between friendly banter, and blatant disrespect between fans of rival/opposing teams? Trash talking is part of the fun of being a fan of the sport, but how far is too far? 

 

The reason I ask is because I was at the Debacle in Houston. I'll admit I'm a loud fan. Yelling on defense, getting excited when we do good, and angry when we play bad. But I've never been disrespectful, and keep foul language to a minimum. Some Texans fans were annoyed by how loud I was when the Bills were on defense, and after the pick six, decided to grab me by the shoulders and violently shake me. I wasn't hurt or anything, but that obviously crossed the line. 

 

Certainly someone putting their hands on you in that fashion would be crossing the line.  I would have had a big problem with that if I were you.

 

 

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

1 minute ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

Certainly someone putting their hands on you in that fashion would be crossing the line.  I would have had a big problem with that if I were you.

 

 

Yeah. It was the end of the game, and all my Bills fans friends had left, so I didn't wanna get into a fight where I was obviously outnumbered, and just didn't feel like dealing with security. But I was pissed.

[KD in CA]

It's pretty much common sense.  Everyone reacts differently to what they see.  You show up in someone else's stadium and make a lot of noise, you should expect out of the hundreds of people within earshot, some percentage of them are going to be pissed off about it and some percentage of those are going to be willing to get in your face (or punch it).

 

There's a reason you don't walk down a dark alley at night in a bad part of town too.

[DrDawkinstein]

If you are going to be loud and boisterous (obnoxious) at an opposing stadium, and making yourself a target, then you need to expect something to happen.

 

Nothing wrong with cheering or celebrating, but as Bills fans we know what its like to be on the losing side and have stuff rubbed in our face, or even simply be frustrated with losing and poor performance.

 

We've had opposing fans come into the Bills bar. Those that scream and shout and get in front of the screens to rub stuff in are lucky they only get kicked out. Those that cheer quietly among themselves and show some understanding of being in enemy territory usually have drinks bought for them.

 

If youre so loud you are annoying other fans, then that's probably on you.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

2 minutes ago, KD in CA said:

It's pretty much common sense.  Everyone reacts differently to what they see.  You show up in someone else's stadium and make a lot of noise, you should expect out of the hundreds of people within earshot, some percentage of them are going to be pissed off about it and some percentage of those are going to be willing to get in your face (or punch it).

 

There's a reason you don't walk down a dark alley at night in a bad part of town too.

 

Yes this can happen, but it shouldn't.  I've encountered plenty of annoying/rude opposing fans in my days as a sports fan, but never thought to physically assault them.  Ignore it if you can, but if you can't inform security.

 

There also is such a thing as not being so boisterous to the point of being obnoxious when you're the visiting fan.  Cheer for your team, but keep it classy and respectful.  Or else you're just asking for some nut-job to punch you in the face. 

[iinii]

It depends on who’s house you are in

[Dr. Fong]

2 minutes ago, iinii said:

It depends on who’s house you are in

 

Yeah, I've been to quite a few away games. The older I got the less I felt like dealing with the ***** involved. Never again for me.

[Augie]

22 minutes ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

 Where's the line drawn between friendly banter, and blatant disrespect between fans of rival/opposing teams? Trash talking is part of the fun of being a fan of the sport, but how far is too far? 

 

The reason I ask is because I was at the Debacle in Houston. I'll admit I'm a loud fan. Yelling on defense, getting excited when we do good, and angry when we play bad. But I've never been disrespectful, and keep foul language to a minimum. Some Texans fans were annoyed by how loud I was when the Bills were on defense, and after the pick six, decided to grab me by the shoulders and violently shake me. I wasn't hurt or anything, but that obviously crossed the line. 

 

Really, I never even got mad at the Texans, just at the Bills. 

 

Sadly and all too often, that line is a moving target....somewhere between the 3rd beer and the 15th beer. 

 

Bottom line, say what you want (within reason), but touching someone is WAY over the line. 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

its all fine until some idiots get too drunk and or it turns into a blowout,  

 

The larger the blowout that bigger the blowhard 

at the Ravens game some ravens fan threw his can of beer "in the trash can" from 3 feet away.  And missed and splashed 4 Bills fans standing nearby,  My wife was one of them but she didn't get the worst of it 

 

[plenzmd1]

I love going to away games..and just like at the Cap...have never been in a fight or even close to a fight. I walk away/ignore pretty easy. I cheer like crazy too, but dont point at anyone or talk chit on the other team.. ..i cheer for Buffalo.

 

As an aside, by FAR the worst fans in the whole world are Pats fans @ Bills games. I've been to plenty of games in Foxborough, and always have a good time and enjoy the fans. But the ones who come to Buffalo are a different sort..and I swear for  some of them I might not call security if they were getting the snot beat out of them in the bathroom. Well, i know I would call, but I would certainly not try to intervene and play peacemaker as I am wont to do with other altercations.

[4_kidd_4]

No touchy.

 

 

Although that thunderpunch to the grundle that was making the internet rounds from that Browns game a few weeks ago was pretty prime stuff.

[Stank_Nasty]

I’ve been Jax, lambeau, and Indy recently. I just keep it calm and respectful and I’ve never had an issue. Whether you agree with it or not, if you get loud in an opposing stadium, even if you are minding your own business, you are just asking for trouble.

 

I’m sad to say that the worst gameday experiences I’ve actually had, have come in orchard park bringing family or friends from opposing teams and having to protect them from our own drunk a**hats in the stadium or the walk up to it. 

 

25 minutes ago, 4_kidd_4 said:

 

 

 thunderpunch to the grundle 

Best grouping of words I’ve read all day. 

[John from Riverside]

Try being a opposing fan in Raider country

 

I have actually stepped in and defended a bengals fan from raiders fans and Im not even a fan of the team......

 

Rule of thumb when going to a Raiders' stadium as a non raiders fan.....do NOT go to the bathroom alone

Edited October 26, 2018 by John from Riverside

[iinii]

1 hour ago, Dr. Fong said:

 

Yeah, I've been to quite a few away games. The older I got the less I felt like dealing with the ***** involved. Never again for me.

Same here. These days you just never know what drunk idiot you are going to run into with some axe to grind. Like the poor Giant fan at a Dodgers’ game a few years back. 

[Billsfanatic8989]

Went to an Eagles@Steelers game in 2012. Few Eagles fans decided to do a dance & mock the Steelers "Here we go Steelers" song after Philly scored a TD. One of the Eagles fan had a beer bottle smashed over his head. The other one had his jaw broken.

 

When you go into enemy territory, keep your mouth shut .

[Buffalo716]

6 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

Went to an Eagles@Steelers game in 2012. Few Eagles fans decided to do a dance & mock the Steelers "Here we go Steelers" song after Philly scored a TD. One of the Eagles fan had a beer bottle smashed over his head. The other one had his jaw broken.

 

When you go into enemy territory, keep your mouth shut .

 

They give out bottles of beer?

 

Thats asking for things to get whipped into the field or people getting beat with them

[Seasons1992]

1 hour ago, Stank_Nasty said:

 

 

I’m sad to say that the worst gameday experiences I’ve actually had, have come in orchard park bringing family or friends from opposing teams and having to protect them from our own drunk a**hats in the stadium or the walk up to it. 

 

 

 

Agreed. Our OWN fans are more trouble than the opponents. 

[thebandit27]

29 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

 

 

When you go into enemy territory, keep your mouth shut .

 

I find that the exact opposite tends to work.

 

Whenever I've gone to opposing venues, I start out by buying beers for the two people flanking my seat(s).  Usually, I introduce myself and say something like "I gotta warn you, I'm pretty loud, but I promise to be respectful and not use profanity".

 

Never even came close to having an incident.  In fact, people seem to go out of their way to be friendly to me.

Edited October 26, 2018 by thebandit27

[row_33]

On the road it's a quiet enjoyment of the hopeful win

 

For 12 stadiums the only times I saw problems were for Eagles and Giants home games, where small people were attacked without any reason

 

if two evenly matched rockheads want to go at it, fine by me

 

Edited October 26, 2018 by row_33

[Buffalo Barbarian]

2 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Where's the line drawn between friendly banter, and blatant disrespect between fans of rival/opposing teams? Trash talking is part of the fun of being a fan of the sport, but how far is too far? 

 

The reason I ask is because I was at the Debacle in Houston. I'll admit I'm a loud fan. Yelling on defense, getting excited when we do good, and angry when we play bad. But I've never been disrespectful, and keep foul language to a minimum. Some Texans fans were annoyed by how loud I was when the Bills were on defense, and after the pick six, decided to grab me by the shoulders and violently shake me. I wasn't hurt or anything, but that obviously crossed the line. 

 

Really, I never even got mad at the Texans, just at the Bills. 

 

since your not a QB a little violent shaking never hurt anyone

 

 

[row_33]

9 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

 

I find that the exact opposite tends to work.

 

Whenever I've gone to opposing venues, I start out by buying beers for the two people flanking my seat(s).  Usually, I introduce myself and say something like "I gotta warn you, I'm pretty loud, but I promise to be respectful and not use profanity".

 

Never even came close to having an incident.  In fact, people seem to go out of their way to be friendly to me.

 

you'd get clocked at Eagles or Giants game for less than that

 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

1 minute ago, thebandit27 said:

 

I find that the exact opposite tends to work.

 

Whenever I've gone to opposing venues, I start out by buying beers for the two people flanking my seat(s).  Usually, I introduce myself and say something like "I gotta warn you, I'm pretty loud, but I promise to be respectful and not use profanity".

 

Never even came close to having an incident.  In fact, people seem to go out of their way to be friendly to me.

 

They see your muscles : D

 

 

[thebandit27]

1 minute ago, row_33 said:

 

you'd get clocked at Eagles or Giants game for less than that

 

 

Haven't been.

 

I've been to San Diego, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Miami, and Baltimore without any kind of incident at all.

[row_33]

10 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

 

Haven't been.

 

I've been to San Diego, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Miami, and Baltimore without any kind of incident at all.

 

thanks for making it all about you

 

do people tell you this a lot?

 

[thebandit27]

Just now, row_33 said:

 

thanks for making it all about you

 

do people tell you this a lot?

 

 

Tell me what?

[Fadingpain]

Every football stadium in the NFL is filled with idiots, drunks, and drunken idiots on game day.

I would advise anyone to exercise caution unless you are looking for some type of physical altercation.

 

 

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

Patriots fans have a problem with standing for the entire offensive series. You can tell them to sit down nicely but that never works. In the end it always gets physical.

I am the type of person who will dump a beer on you or flip your cap off your head before I get physical. 

[US Egg]

2 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Where's the line drawn between friendly banter, and blatant disrespect between fans of rival/opposing teams?

 

It's 2018, that line was blurred decades ago with the invention of the internet.....maybe you haven't heard of it.

[Augie]

23 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Patriots fans have a problem with standing for the entire offensive series. You can tell them to sit down nicely but that never works. In the end it always gets physical.

 I am the type of person who will dump a beer on you or flip your cap off your head before I get physical. 

 

Well, technically that IS physical, so are you saying you want to get punched first?  

 

I sat next to a young Jets fan once who was barely old enough to drink beer, but not nearly old enough to be able to handle it. He was pretty obnoxious when things were going poorly for the Bills, but you could tell he was a nice enough kid. I told him I was fine with his behavior, but we would NOT be good if I get hit by any of the beer that was dumped on him. He thought I was kidding. When he realized this was NOT a joke, he sobered up a bit....

 

 

[Maybe Someday]

That line moves depending on what stadium you are in and the type of people around you but I think a lot of it is the vibe you give off.  If you are only yelling and angry, the people around you will probably feel the same way toward you, after all, you are an enemy in their house that day.  If you come across as happy and make it a point early on to connect with the other fans around you on a human level rather than just as fans of opposing teams, they are more likely to return that same attitude to you.  Engaging with and even respectfully joking around with them early on about their team, city and/or life in general will probably buy you more leeway later on.

 

No matter what you do, it's never OK for anyone to put their hands on you or anyone else though.

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

Well, technically that IS physical, so are you saying you want to get punched first?  

 

I sat next to a young Jets fan once who was barely old enough to drink beer, but not nearly old enough to be able to handle it. He was pretty obnoxious when things were going poorly for the Bills, but you could tell he was a nice enough kid. I told him I was fine with his behavior, but we would NOT be good if I get hit by any of the beer that was dumped on him. He thought I was kidding. When he realized this was NOT a joke, he sobered up a bit....

 

 

I alway ask nicely 3 times. There is nothing wrong with getting punched 1st, because if they punch 1st your in self defense mode.

Edited October 26, 2018 by Call_Of_Ktulu

[fansince88]

4 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

Yes this can happen, but it shouldn't.  I've encountered plenty of annoying/rude opposing fans in my days as a sports fan, but never thought to physically assault them.  Ignore it if you can, but if you can't inform security.

There also is such a thing as not being so boisterous to the point of being obnoxious when you're the visiting fan.  Cheer for your team, but keep it classy and respectful.  Or else you're just asking for some nut-job to punch you in the face. 

A good friend had a husband (he passed from brain Cancer years ago) that was a Raiders fan and she is a Bills fan. They went to a Bills game together and he got his hat knocked off in the bathroom and shirt torn and then his hat flushed by a bunch of Bills fans. She said she will never go to the game again but watched every Sunday on TV. That is way too far.

 

A few years back I was in Jersey on the Thursday night we had the color rush game. The Jets fans in the hall were harassing me about Rex and I was giving it back to them about  the Amish Rifleman I believe. We shared a laugh and went back to our seats with our sausage hoagie. That was not too far. 

 

Some people can joke and others dont know when to stop. Pretty simple and Im guessing there is a slight chance VERY slight that alcohol could play a part in it all.

[NoSaint]

4 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Where's the line drawn between friendly banter, and blatant disrespect between fans of rival/opposing teams? Trash talking is part of the fun of being a fan of the sport, but how far is too far? 

 

The reason I ask is because I was at the Debacle in Houston. I'll admit I'm a loud fan. Yelling on defense, getting excited when we do good, and angry when we play bad. But I've never been disrespectful, and keep foul language to a minimum. Some Texans fans were annoyed by how loud I was when the Bills were on defense, and after the pick six, decided to grab me by the shoulders and violently shake me. I wasn't hurt or anything, but that obviously crossed the line. 

 

Really, I never even got mad at the Texans, just at the Bills. 

 

You are normally excellent at social cues too. 

 

Real talk- not ok of them.

[Billsfanatic8989]

My Pats fan friend is 6 7 350. He went to the Bills game last year. One Bills fan qas taunting him. Huge mistake....

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

6 minutes ago, fansince88 said:

A good friend had a husband (he passed from brain Cancer years ago) that was a Raiders fan and she is a Bills fan. They went to a Bills game together and he got his hat knocked off in the bathroom and shirt torn and then his hat flushed by a bunch of Bills fans. She said she will never go to the game again but watched every Sunday on TV. That is way too far.

 

A few years back I was in Jersey on the Thursday night we had the color rush game. The Jets fans in the hall were harassing me about Rex and I was giving it back to them about  the Amish Rifleman I believe. We shared a laugh and went back to our seats with our sausage hoagie. That was not too far. 

 

Some people can joke and others dont know when to stop. Pretty simple and Im guessing there is a slight chance VERY slight that alcohol could play a part in it all.

Alcohol is the main reason for all this crap. I have noticed that the overwhelming response to saying " can you please sit down" is " go ***** yourself or shut up". 

[fansince88]

1 minute ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Alcohol is the main reason for all this crap. I have noticed that the overwhelming response to saying " can you please sit down" is " go ***** yourself or shut up". 

I don't drink. That said I realize I'm probably 1 of about 7 people there that don't. LOL. That said it is important for the sober of us to realize when to walk away or just diffuse the situation. The aggressor most likely has no clue how ignorant he or she is being. I'm there to enjoy the game and the fans around me.....

 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I was at a Syracuse v Auburn football game at the dome back in the 90’s, and Syracuse managed to pull off a huge upset over the Tigers.  I think we were unranked and they were top 10.  Auburn probably had 5-10 thousand fans there.

 

Anyway, we were walking out of the dome and a few Cuse fans started teasing an Auburn fan (a very large, muscular man...probably an Auburn student).  Probably not a great idea.   It was pretty gentle stuff...I believe there may have been someone who said “overrated” and “enjoy the ride back to Bama.”  Some things like that.  This guy turned around and approached the 3 people.  Looked like a man with his wife (I’d say mid 40’s), and another woman.  I was walking with two of my friends, and we all saw was about to happen.

 

So the Auburn fan walked right up to the most vocal woman who continued “chirping” at him as he got closer.  He walked up to her, kicked her dead in the lady parts as hard as he could, and then ran away down the hill.  The security guard who was in the parking booth saw the whole thing happen, and didn’t even say anything to the guy.

 

I have never witnessed anything like that in my life.

Edited October 26, 2018 by Johnny Hammersticks

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I was at a Syracuse v Auburn football game at the dome back in the 90’s, and Syracuse managed to pull off a huge upset over the Tigers.  I think we were unranked and they were top 10.  Auburn probably had 5-10 thousand fans there.

 

Anyway, we were walking out of the dome and a few Cuse fans started teasing an Auburn fan (a very large, muscular man...probably an Auburn student).  Probably not a great idea.   It was pretty gentle stuff...I believe there may have been someone who said “overrated” and “enjoy the ride back to Bama.”  Some things like that.  This guy turned around and approached the 3 people.  Looked like a man with his wife (I’d say mid 40’s), and another woman.  I was walking with two of my friends, and we all saw was about to happen.

 

So the Auburn fan walked right up to the most vocal woman who continued “chirping” at him as he got closer.  He walked up to her, kicked her dead in the ***** as hard as he could, and then ran away down the hill.  The security guard who was in the parking booth saw the whole thing happen, and didn’t even say anything to the guy.

 

I have never witnessed anything like that in my life.

 

Auburn fans aren’t as classy as Bills fans. 

 

 

 

[Misterbluesky]

5 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

I've encountered plenty of annoying/rude opposing fans in my days as a sports fan, but never thought to physically assault them.  Ignore it if you can, but if you can't inform security.

 

Does this train of thought apply to movie theaters as well? 

 

Igotchobutteredbucketofpopcornritehea