Tailgating limits divide NFL fans
By David Sweet • Nov 19th, 2009 • Category: NFL
Earlier this season, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suggested a “Fan Code of Conduct,” designed to curb heavy drinking and make pro football games more enjoyable for all.
More than halfway through the season, USA Today looked for fans’ opinions of the initiative, which includes limiting tailgating time to 3 1/2 hours, restricting drinks in the stadium and offering the chance to text to report drunken fans.
The newspaper stumbled upon an emotional issue. Tailgating drinkers feel they’ve been deprived of their rights, while quieter fans are glad obnoxious drunks have been curtailed.
Luke Maxson, a supporter of the New Jets which — aside from Oakland — probably has the rowdiest fan base in the NFL, is so annoyed that he’s threatening to give up his 16 season tickets (he’s already exchanged them for worse seats next year when the new stadium opens to avoid major personal seat license fees). With two beers taps, satellite TV and other features he brings to Giants Stadium parking lot, to say he’s a serious tailgater is like saying Joe Namath enjoyed being a bachelor.
But Kevin Grady — about to attend the same game as Maxson — pointed to a passed-out tailgater two hours before kickoff as a good reason to restrict fan misbehavior.
Realistically, the tailgating fans will always show up as long as tailgating is allowed because they’re so passionate. The casual fan may opt for the television if his children are forced to hear swearing and to see stumbling drunks. Goodell’s policy makes sense. After all, it’s not exactly Prohibition.
I love my beer drinking, but I’m all for limiting it in someway. I prefer quality of beer over quantity so it’s not an issue for me or my group anyway.
It’s sad that steps like this have to be taken, but there are just a lot of drunken fools that use stuff like sporting events as excuses to be buffoons. If people could use more self-control it wouldn’t be necessary.