I think today's sports fans are getting out of control...

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Probably going to piss off some of my fellow mall members but so be it.

Recently have had some discussions with friends about the atmosphere at sporting events. In particular, the obvious decline in civility and mutual respect as evidenced by people who call themselves ‶fans.″

While they also support my argument, I am not focusing on the highly publicized, ugly incidents like the LAD/SF fan beating, the riots in Vancouver or the beating of the fan wearing the Lebron jersey in Cleveland. My rant is more about an insidious cancer I have seen growing in my 40+ years of attending sporting events around the country.

Used to be the worst behavior you would see witness at a game was a 50 year old has been fan (a pro in his own mind) who had a few too many. He would spew his profane words of wisdom for an inning or two and would then be kindly escorted to the door. But on the whole, it wasnt a big deal.

Used to be, if you showed up at a Cleveland home game wearing a Steelers u-ni, you would take your verbal insults and join the rest of the Steelers faithful as they would almost out number the Browns fans in attendance anyways. Worst behavior you would experience was the occasional ‶accidently″ spilled beer or a snowball fight between the Steelers fans and the dog pound.

Used to be you could argue with an opposing fan with a certain level of civil banter and mutual respect. Now, however, simple trash talk between rival fans is often replaced with utter vitriol which usually leads to verbal, and sometimes physical, attacks on a personal level. The level and frequency of the profanity uttered at sporting events has slowly and steadily increased as well. And, doesnt seem to matter to the 20ish or 30 something gutter mouth if there are kids in the vicinity or not.

I personally believe the net has been a factor in the decline of public civility displayed by today's fans. Easy to spew that type of trash from behind a computer. That behavior becomes habitual and acceptable in the mind of the poster as there are no consequences for his socially frowned upon behavior. As a result, the trash talking becomes more vile and it is just as easy to spew it at a game as it is to post it on the net.

Just glad my kids are all adults now as I wouldnt take them to many games if they were not. Ever wonder why the ‶family sections″ had to be implemented at sports venues? Used to be the whole park was family friendly and you didnt have to worry about who was sitting next to you.

Now, I attend less games than I used to, and when I do, I personally seek out family section seats when I attend games. Will put up with the occasional crying baby to sit with real ‶fans″ who respect their fellow fans.

[MCP313]

I think you just got older and watch the news a lot more.

[BLBisinnocent]

I blame Fox News.....

[hblocal]

I think the type of behavior you are describing is not only at sporting events, but at bars and concerts,,ect. At least in southern california, so many people think they are tough guys because they took an mma class or something.

Plus 10-15 years ago if you were caught fighting by the police, they would just jump in and kick everyones ass. Now when everyone has a cell phone to record everything, cops dont care to get involved in a fight involving drunk idiots.

I have also noticed more often than not at these events, both of the people involved in the fight are idiots,,,you get the occasional incident that is legitimate (STOW @ dodger stadium).

Also as a fan in an opposing stadium, you have to be able to take some trash talk thrown at you. People these days don't seem to take it as well because they think they are tough guys when they throw a few back and want to fight about it.

The funny thing to me are the fans that really think they are fighting for the pride of the team they are fans of. Like the players really care about you fighting a fan of the other team,,haha. I don't see this type of behavior changing, but at least it isn't as bad here as soccer games around the world

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Originally Posted by MtrCtyPimp

I think you just got older and watch the news a lot more.

Did get older, as did we all. Funny thing is, dont even watch the news at all. Dont even have cable tv as I do everything on the net now.

Basing my conclusions strictly on my observations at events over time.

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Originally Posted by BLBisinnocent

I blame Fox News.....

Cant say I am shocked. Care to elaborate?

[Romanowski]

all roads lead to rome

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

grown men wearing ben at work tee shirts more disturbing than any of the things in the article

[Chris46139]

When I used to go to Bills games I'd have grown men trying to fight me when I was wearing Dolphins gear, grown men fuking with a 13-14 yr old boy lmao

[MCP313]

People fighting at the Silverdome 20 years ago was part of the main attraction during a prime time game when people had all day to get liquored up. World has always been a shitty place its just the older you get the more you realize it.

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

Originally Posted by Chris46139

When I used to go to Bills games I'd have grown men trying to fight me when I was wearing Dolphins gear, grown men fuking with a 13-14 yr old boy lmao

or grown men trying to get a pic with the head coach of the football team to turn into a family xmas card.

[walk066]

It starts with a lack of respect for people in general. People think they are entitled to do whatever they feel like because they have either been spoiled or had no parent figure around. You see this not just at sporting events, but everywhere. Also alcohol is glorified, so people try to act like they have a set of balls when they drink.