The NFL...Just A Beer Delivery Vehicle?

washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/21/AR2007122101886.html?hpid=opinionsbox1)

I found this opinion interesting. The author describes the very reason I will not take my son or daughter to Fedex. I suppose it's just a sad commentary of the current social times where class, courtesy, and human dignity are becoming extinct.

Your thoughts?

That doesn't mesh with my experiences at FedEx, but perhaps the fact that I'm usually loaded colors my memories.

Should you take you young child to a stadium to watch a game in opponent's colors and not expect some grief? Probably not. This gentleman should have alerted an usher if he thought his fellow patron's were excessive with their language or comsumption.

I have been lucky to sit in the same section for the past four years. I might take my son there when he's 13, but I'd pick a game where the outcome wasn't especially important, where the opposing fans would be in short supply, that wasn't being played in the evening (when the drinking is more prevalent), when the weather was nicer, and where I knew who the fans around me were and how they generally behave.

I also might leave my petticoats at home, but that's another problem.

Take this dude to a soccer game over sees and hed be lucky to ecscape alive wearing opponent`s colors. FeDex is mild, sit in a student section at a college football game sometime and you`ll no what i mean

I would hope we don't ever have the riots or near riots of 'football hooligans' that occur in Europe, or for that matter in S. America & Africa as well.

It's obvious that the author's assumption is that nfl games once were family friendly, whether from his personal experience or learning from others. I would agree w/him that the culture of sports has become way too uncivil. All the stories from Philly & West Va. U. may be exaggerated, but that doesn't mean people there are downright mean & sometimes criminal in their behavior.

Sad to say, but one of my best fan experiences was last month at Texas Stadium. I sat beside a couple cowpoke fans that were knowledgeable of the game, poked fun at some of the dallas halftime shows, & even wished me a safe trip home. Texas Stadium was dry until a few years ago, so the local culture may be less tolerant of public drunkeness. Also, I noticed that there was not one beer man in the upper level stands once the game began, whereas at fedex I was in the nose bleeds but could get a beer every 20 minutes if I needed one (which I did!).

I think experiences are different from section to section. My section this year is far less aggressive than in the past.

High school girls stripping? What section is that in? I WILL PAY DOUBLE!!!

While this is definately an "interesting" man who is writing this article... I have to say he has some legitimate points. My wife and I were at the Giants game... The drunks were much more obnoxious than I remember (I hadn't gone to a game in 2 years). I had written this off to being a 4 o'clock game instead of 1... figured more people where drinking bear when tailgating... of course, the Bears game was a night game... so that may hold true again.

High school girls stripping? What section is that in? I WILL PAY DOUBLE!!!

If the Danny finds out about this he'll give the girls a signing bonus & charge you more than double!!

All the stories from Philly & West Va. U. may be exaggerated, but that doesn't mean people there are downright mean & sometimes criminal in their behavior.

There true...I go to school there

I have been going to games since I was a kid of about 8 years old. I have nothing but great experiences and memories of redskins games. There is always the chance of having inappropriate people sitting around you at any game espeshally if you decide to draw attention to yourself by wearing an opponents colors. If you cant handle hearing profanity or believe that somehow this will scare your son then sorry you may not want to attend an NFL game. I would say dont let a bad experience spoil the fun but I think that having that type of atmosphere besides any violence is part of the fun of the game.

And anyways a couple Bears fan will not be missed at our stadium trust me.... Act like an adult, teach your son some lessons about the proper way to act, watch a great team, and keep the b**chin to a minimum.
Hail