NFL - Sunday Family Fights?!

I went to a football game and a hockey fight broke out, in the stands.

This year seems to be the year for the fans to be fighting, not the players.

Five months ago, a San Francisco Giants fan was beaten severely outside the Dodger’s Stadium after a game, leaving him severely brain damaged (espn.).

Last Sunday, during several pre-season games, fights erupted in the stands and in the parking lots.  One was captured on video by another fan at Giants Stadium.

Another fight occurred in San Francisco and viewed on the major networks. Several sustained major injuries and also gunshot wounds (abcnews).

One of the fans that was shot (multiple times) was wearing a t-shirt that was emblazoned with “F*%k the niners”.

At the Giants/Ravens game, one fan took on three of the opposing teams fans, all on video (nbcsports).

While watching the videos, it was apparent that many were cheering on the fighters, and some were attempting to remove themselves from the melee, along with their children.

So much for family entertainment.

So what’s next?

Ban sales and possession of alcohol at the stadiums?

No wearing of the team’s “colors”?

Determining which team you will be rooting for before you are sold a ticket?

Extra security?

Higher ticket prices because they had to hire extra security and can’t sell alcohol?

No team tattoos exposed?

During one of the videoed fights, I watched as one fan was trying desperately to save his beer.

I guess a food fight is completely out.  Crap.  If I had to pay $25.00 for a hotdog and a beer, I wouldn’t be flinging it around either.  So, I guess the food concessions are safe as long as they serve something other than beer.

It’s a shame that the some of the fans that have made it a tradition to bring their family to the games, year after year, sharing family time will now have to consider if it is safe to dress your children in a neutral color, whether or not to take them to a game and maybe not going at all.

Think that will affect ticket sales?