I am saddened…

**MinnesotaRaven** · 08-20-2012, 10:15 AM

…..by humanity and the future of our society.

I may have attended my last Ravens game Friday night.

I’ve never been a season Ticket holder, but I’ve been to more games than I can count or even remember over the past 15 years. I have seen the good and bad. I decided to take my boy to the game Friday night and was appalled and blown away by the behavior I saw at the game. Language doesn’t bother me. I’m not naïve. I also swear (too much) and I drink beer. Hell, I’ve even been drunk. But even when I drink I don’t forget how to treat people.

I came to watch a football game and I brought my son to have the experience of the stadium, the fireworks, and everything else associated with a football game. That includes everything from a hotdog and nachos to a loud stadium with screaming rowdy fans. All of that is Awesome!

I didn’t come to see racial attacks, puking in the stands, punching people in the backs of the head and spitting and throwing beer at them in the back of the head. I didn’t come to be harassed and threatened by people spouting their Wal-Mart “Pop Political Ideology” either.

The icing on the cake…. Was yesterday’s camp at Stevenson University. While I was in line with all of the other parents waiting for their kids to come back I was saddened by some of the littler kids with tears in their eyes. I understand the big kids are bigger, assertive, and know what they are going after. That is life. What sickened me was that those little kids were crying and explaining to their parents that they didn’t get an autograph while 15 and16 year olds (who lied about their ages) deliver balls with 15 autographs to their dads who are pissing themselves like little schoolgirls that just got a kiss from Justin Bibber.

While my son did get an autograph…. I can only hope that when he grows up he is picking up those little kids or handing their ball over the crowd to get their ball autographed.

Frank

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 10:19 AM

It sucks, but what are you gonna do? It's not like the Ravens promote that kind of behavior.

There are asshole fans everywhere you go. Hell, there are youtube videos showing a bunch of Ravens fans picking fights with Steeler fans at M&T stadium. Most fans aren't like that, but there are definitely those who can ruin it for a lot of people.

**Captain Silver** · 08-20-2012, 10:23 AM

Hardly what happens at M&T. Every game I have been too has been awesome. Awesome people, times, and experience. I can't speak for practice or autographs, but GAMEDAY for me has been the best.

**MinnesotaRaven** · 08-20-2012, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

Hardly what happens at M&T. Every game I have been too has been awesome. Awesome people, times, and experience. I can't speak for practice or autographs, but GAMEDAY for me has been the best.

This was M&T. This happened.

**leachisabeast** · 08-20-2012, 10:24 AM

You get this everywhere around the world in sport venues. You should try going to a premiership football(soccer) game like Man City vs Man Untd or something if you think that's bad.

**KLynch** · 08-20-2012, 10:30 AM

I've probably been to 40 Ravens games, I've never once seen an altercation. Things happen, but I've seen some really great and spirited behavior at our stadium over the years.

As far as the autographs thing... very lame. It's such a lose lose situation, I wish autographs had no value. I think Jim Palmer had it right by signing your name at the bottom of every autograph.

**MinnesotaRaven** · 08-20-2012, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

You get this everywhere around the world in sport venues. You should try going to a premiership football(soccer) game like Man City vs Man Untd or something if you think that's bad.

No. My father attended the 2010 Championship, Chelsea vs. ManU. He mentioned nothing of this... but he did mention the behavior at a Ravens game I took him to. I've been to Rugby matches in NewZealand and Baseball games in Japan and have seen nothing like this. NOTHING.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by RedSkins Fury

No. My father attended the 2010 Championship, Chelsea vs. ManU. He mentioned nothing of this... but he did mention the behavior at a Ravens game I took him to. I've been to Rugby matches in NewZealand and Baseball games in Japan and have seen nothing like this. NOTHING.

Then he clearly wasn't looking because international soccer matches are WAY more violent and way more ridiculous. Haven't you ever seen the movie "Green Street Houligans"???

**MinnesotaRaven** · 08-20-2012, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Then he clearly wasn't looking because international soccer matches are WAY more violent and way more ridiculous. Haven't you ever seen the movie "Green Street Houligans"???

Who knows... he was there on business and may have been in a box or something. Which removes you from everything... I'm sure even at a Ravens game the seats make a difference. I'm sure people who are in expensive lower level seats spend much less time getting really drunk outside and coming in halfway through the game and spend more time in watching the game.

**MinnesotaRaven** · 08-20-2012, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

It sucks, but what are you gonna do? It's not like the Ravens promote that kind of behavior.

There are asshole fans everywhere you go. Hell, there are youtube videos showing a bunch of Ravens fans picking fights with Steeler fans at M&T stadium. Most fans aren't like that, but there are definitely those who can ruin it for a lot of people.

Yeah. It's not the Ravens specifically... it'e everywhere. But it was everywhere in the stadium... It wasn't just one section. Because it was a preseason game and the weather, we were able to gradually move down to better seats. There was something in every section (until the 4th qtr. when we were in the 5th row on the 40 yd. line....).

I've been to tons of games... and seen it all. I understand fights and words between fans from out of town. That makes since. This was Raven on Raven violence. This wasn't your average trash talking turned fisticuffs between a Steeler and Raven. This was nastier, drunker... if these people had a gun, their would have been shots fired. It is getting out of hand it will get worse.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by RedSkins Fury

Yeah. It's not the Ravens specifically... it'e everywhere. But it was everywhere in the stadium... It wasn't just one section. Because it was a preseason game and the weather, we were able to gradually move down to better seats. There was something in every section (until the 4th qtr. when we were in the 5th row on the 40 yd. line....).

I've been to tons of games... and seen it all. I understand fights and words between fans from out of town. That makes since. This was Raven on Raven violence. This wasn't your average trash talking turned fisticuffs between a Steeler and Raven. This was nastier, drunker... if these people had a gun, their would have been shots fired. It is getting out of hand it will get worse.

Whelp, if that's the way you feel, then that's a bummer. I've never experienced that and I've sat in several different spots at M&T. Sure, I've seen obnoxious fans and I've seen incredibly drunk fans doing dumb things, but more often than not security escorts them out of the stadium pretty quickly. Maybe security was a bit more lax since it was a pre-season game? No idea on that one.

I guess take the $$$ you'd spend on season tickets, but a sweet TV and grill and enjoy the games from home with your boy and some friends.

**Lee Van Cleef** · 08-21-2012, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Whelp, if that's the way you feel, then that's a bummer. I've never experienced that and I've sat in several different spots at M&T. Sure, I've seen obnoxious fans and I've seen incredibly drunk fans doing dumb things, but more often than not security escorts them out of the stadium pretty quickly. Maybe security was a bit more lax since it was a pre-season game? No idea on that one.

I guess take the $$$ you'd spend on season tickets, but a sweet TV and grill and enjoy the games from home with your boy and some friends.

Seems lame that a guy who wants to enjoy some football with his kid has to be the one watching from home on TV and not the abusive thugs that ruin it for everyone else.

I don't understand people's need to get drunk at sports events. Surely to enjoy the game one wants to be in full possession of their mental faculties?

I agree with the people that suggest writing a letter. In the meantime, sadly, wicked is probably right, best watch it on the box.