Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:24 pm EDT

Fans are asked to treat Chiefs games like bowling matches

By MJD

See all those fans in that picture? They are dirty, filthy people who are running afoul of Arrowhead Stadium law and should be ejected and beaten with a railroad spike.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a "Fan Code of Conduct," which is essentially a list of rules that fans have to follow when they're attending a game at Arrowhead. In theory, it's not a bad idea, as you'd like your stadium to provide a friendly atmosphere for families and people who aren't drunken hooligans.

In practice, though, it might not be such a great idea, especially if the person responsible for coming up with the rules is an 85-year-old woman who teaches the 2nd grade and regards standing up as one of the evil things that young whippersnappers often do. Seriously, standing erect is the No. 2 item on the list of things that are prohibited:

• Standing and/or obstructing the view of other fans

Not only that, Pro Football Talk points out how seated fans can anonymously tattle on their upright counterparts:

The Chiefs also have set up a text-messaging system that allows fans who might be offended by behaviors like standing to report the situation to the powers-that-be.

Awesome. I hear they're even taking the extra step and including bed pans with every seat, so no one has to get up to use the bathroom. They're going to make the beer and peanut vendors crawl through the stadium on all fours. Also, as soon as you get to your seat and sit down, an usher's going to come by and inject you with a temporary paralytic.

Maybe I'm overreacting. The anti-standing policy might only be temporary. Maybe they'll lift the ban when the Chiefs can field an offense that might actually score a touchdown every now and then and might give fans a reason to stand. Maybe this is only the policy until Brodie Croyle improved or is replaced.

Still, it seems like an asinine, joyless, and dangerous policy. If standing is banned, we can't be far away from banning yelling, too, can we? I'm all for a friendly fan experience, but I'd also rather not turn Arrowhead into the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Gracias, KC Chiefs Football

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2450 Comments

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  1. Saintevil
    1. Posted by Saintevil Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:31 pm EDT

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    Must be the same person who wrote the rules at Safeco Field.
  2. Hitman
    2. Posted by Hitman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    MJD- you are obviously a jerk. It is about time that someone had the sense enough to make such a rule. As a fan, I pay a lot of money to WATCH a game at the stadium- NOT to look at the backside of some idiot in front of me. The people who just have to ruin the game for others should have their own section of the stadium to sit. Let the other paying customers enjoy the game that they pay to SEE. Someone should inject your mouth with a temporary paralytic.
  3. Turtle
    3. Posted by Turtle Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    "hitman"
    You sound like a wuss. When I attended FL State in the glory years, we had a name and section for fans like you...it was called the Alumni section.
    If you want to sit and watch a game, stay at home on your couch. I'm sure your team would rather have a fan to help their homefield advantage, rather than a sillynanny that wants tea and crumpets and less noise so they can hear what the announcer is saying.
  4. Marc
    4. Posted by Marc Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    Kind of odd, considering the home-field advantage the Chiefs have traditionally had:
    "Undoubtedly one of the finest facilities in the NFL, Arrowhead and the fans who consistently fill it (125 consecutive sellouts) have helped produce a distinct homefield advantage for the Chiefs. During the ‘90s, no NFL team had a better regular season home winning percentage than Kansas City, which produced a 65-15 (.813) record over from ‘90-99."
    http://www.kcchiefs.com/arrowhead/history/
  5. Duk
    5. Posted by 'Duk Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    If you've ever attended a game at Camarohead Stadium, you'll know that this code of conduct is routinely and obscenely ignored. Heck, I once attended a game there and forgot who the Chiefs were playing by the time we went inside. Looking down at the field didn't help, either.
  6. HitAgain
    6. Posted by HitAgain Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    Really, pay to go to a game so that you can sit there the whole time and nitpick about too much noise or that you might have to stand up to see everything at times. That sounds horrific, I'd bet that the Mrs. hates to sit on the side of your "bad" ear because; God forbid she might have to raise her voice at a sporting event! I like to concentrate and not have distractions too - WHEN I AM AT HOME WATCHING on television. If you go to a game, either be prepared to experience the atmosphere or keep your "Mr. Boring" self away from those who do.
  7. billswill
    7. Posted by billswill Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    whats there to cheer about at that stadium?
  8. billswill
    8. Posted by billswill Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    if you want to hear noise go to buffalo! we have plenty to cheer about
  9. Chiefs fan
    9. Posted by Chiefs fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    To # 2...As a fan of the KC Chiefs and someone who has been to numerous games at Arrowhead stadium, people on the lower level are the "crazy fans" or "fanatics" who like to cheer the game and stand during the entire game. If you would like to sit and maybe stand during the great plays, buy a ticket to the upper decks where people usually sit and stand on the amazing plays. Just a thought.
  10. THE 2007 CHAMP IS HERE
    10. Posted by THE 2007 CHAMP IS HERE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    i hate the cheifs, but playing in Arrowhead with a sea of red and yellow is the greatest home field advantage of any team in almost any sport. Being a Charger fan i have seen many of Charger teams over the years go into Arrowhead and crumble.....tell the old lady and HITMAN up thier stay at home or buy a luxury box and shut up. the only reason they are any good is because of thier fans. i really dont belive that rule will last past the first quarter of the first pre-season game.
  11. jacob g
    11. Posted by jacob g Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    Hitman = Wuss squared
  12. Eric
    12. Posted by Eric Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

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    what a retardiculous rule.
  13. patshaterhater
    13. Posted by patshaterhater Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    so the seats in the stadium are for....? why not rip them out and pack 3X as many people into the stadium and make more money? all you guys that are [profane]in about hitman all stand up at every game you go to - football, baseball, hocky, basketball, college, highschool,... sound like you guys are the ones that need to get a life. i go to a lot of games - i stand when i want to cheer my team on or when something exciting is going on. otherwise i sit. what's the big deal
  14. Collin P
    14. Posted by Collin P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    As a NFL season ticket holder every year I pay for my seat and yet never sit in it. Every team has that one or two players that play to the crowd and want them up on their feet. In fact if you can actually sit through an entire football game without standing up you don't understand the intensity of the game. You wanna sit, go to a baseball game where you have to do a 7th inning stretch to avoid a bed sore on your behind. Baseball is the nations past time Football is the nations passion. Hitman sit at home you fun hater.
  15. Collin P
    15. Posted by Collin P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    I agree patshaterhater but the rule is saying no standing at all. How enjoyable is that. You are breaking the rules.
  16. Brian
    16. Posted by Brian Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    I don't think this is intended to stop people from standing up to cheer a big play. I think it is designed to stop people from standing the whole time who are just standing there. Everyone has the right to cheer the home team, or, in some cases, heckle the home team.
    One thing is sure. If you have kids at a game and they are behind some big dude, they aren't going to have fun if they can't see the game.
  17. Mr. X
    17. Posted by Mr. X Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    lol.. this is a dumb blog.. from the picture above, the KC fans don't care nor do they follow the rule, so what's the big deal ??
  18. Harry J
    18. Posted by Harry J Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    As a former player, I can tell you that it is impossible to stay seated if the team you love makes a great play. Hell i cant even stay seated on my couch when my team rocks the QB or busts a big run.
  19. whoaaa
    19. Posted by whoaaa Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    hahaha this is hilarious. what the heck is wrong with this stadium. Fans live for the excitement of the touchdown. what a joke, hopefully other stadiums arent this stupid.
  20. philly fan 94
    20. Posted by philly fan 94 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    This is the dumbest thing ive heard scince, you know what this is the dumbest thing ive ever heard, of course fans are going to stand when a big play happens or when they try and get the team pumped and Ive seen the chiefs, play they need to have good fans cheering for them
  21. razorbackfever
    21. Posted by razorbackfever Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    Know why football stadium seating doesn't have backs on the seats? Because you not expected to sit in those seats. You are expected to stand and cheer your team and make as much noise as possible when the opposing team has the ball.
  22. VegasPackerFan
    22. Posted by VegasPackerFan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    Here is the problem.....A simple hay sit down, no longer works.
    Most of the people stand when a good play is happening or happened. That is part of going to a live game. But the constantly standing fan pisses me off also. Society as a whole no longer has respect for others. And that goes for the standing and sitting fans alike.
    Because some fans are jackasses, teams have to make rules like this. If you are at a game and a standing up, if the person behind you asks you to sit down, do it. No need for the F-you I paid for my ticket crowd to ruin it for the rest of us that cheer at a game.
    If kindly asking them to sit fails, a good kick in the small of the back always helps them sit.
    VPF
  23. Conman
    23. Posted by Conman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    I have been in KC for several games against my Browns. Great football fans.
    People this is football. It's a game of emotion. The players feed off the emotions of the fans. Being poltically correct is nothing more than being rediculously stupid. If you want to SEE the game stand up like the rest of the fans. Yell alittle bit. Get behind the play of the team who is out there HITTING somebody.
    You don't want to stand up? STAY HOME and watch it on tv. You will be able to SEE more that way.
    A FOOTBALL FAN should be prepared to go to the stadium with a game face, built up emotion, and screaming (as you are standing up) your fool head off.
    Although I grew up in Ohio and love my Browns, I have lived in St Louis for approximately 24 years. Having PSL seats from my company I recall a game that I attended where the Rams were running onto the field after their introduction. I watched and listened as the Rams fans (if you want to call them that) clapped very politely for their team as they SET in their seats. I STOOD UP and yelled; "Get off your corporate butts (I used another word instead of butts), put your cell phones away, and get into the game!!! This isn't a baseball game people!"
    Maybe stadiums should have sections (Like the upper decks) designated as "Family Only" sections so that the majority of the "REAL" fans can have fun, make fools of themselves if they want to, and feed the team with the emotions they would expect when playing at home.
    If you don't like the atmosphere associated with a football game stay home and watch it on tv. If you CHOOSE to go to the game and you don't want to stand and cheer for your team, SIT DOWN and SHUT UP!
  24. DBowman
    24. Posted by DBowman Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    Ya know, next time I go to Heinz Field, I just gotta look to see if there are seats. LOL
  25. Rufio
    25. Posted by Rufio Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    I think it's ridiculous that this rule is also being instituted in college tournaments. At the Pac-10 tourney, ushers threatened to throw us out if we stood up to cheer. I still can't understand why I paid money to get good seats to give my team an edge just to be chastised by some ushers and yelled at by codgers 10 rows behind me.

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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