In response to our rant about the possibility that PSLs will squeeze out of the stadium the blue-collar fans who helped make the game what it is, a fan of the Chiefs has pointed out to us some other evidence of a fundamental change in the manner in which folks are now expected to watch live football.
In a “Chiefs Fan Code of Conduct,” folks attending home games are told that Arrowhead Stadium staff will “proactively intervene” to prevent behaviors such as . . . drum roll, please . . . standing.
We’ve been to enough football games to know that it can be a pain in the arse when the guys in front of you decide to stand up, if for example the road team is facing third down and seven in the fourth quarter of a tie game. But that’s football. The easy answer? Stand up, too. And if you don’t like all of the sitting and standing, then don’t go to a football game (or to a Catholic church — rim shot).
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. It provides the non-confrontational types who might be offended by sitting a way to tattle while still maintaining plausible deniability.
We don’t mean to pick on the Chiefs here. For all we know, every other team prohibits standing as well. (We welcome PFT Planet to post links in the comments to any other no-standing policies from other venues.)
And maybe, down the road, it’s just another way to raise money. Fans will be able to stand.
If they’ve purchased a Personal Standing License.
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June 28th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
There is just too much money involved in all our American pro sports, for it not to be corrupt, I really wouldn’t be surprised if one day I read in the paper that championships are traded on highest levels of power, & I’ll have to admit I’m becoming, not so entertained by all this crap anymore- & I’m not even “old school”.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I’d like back the ten seconds I took to read that please.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
If you go to a football game, you shouldn’t expect it to be as forgiving an environment as your living room.
If you aren’t going to stand, stay on the couch.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
How ironic, considering how much pride the Chiefs have in the “college environment” at Arrowhead. What’s next, we have to be quiet while the defense is on the field? We can’t wear red to games anymore? We can’t chant “we’re gonna beat the hell out of u u u u u ” after a touchdown? We can’t sing “and the home of the CHIEEEFS” at the end of the national anthem? I may as well stay home and watch them on TV.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Those crying about fans standing and cheering need to go to a college rivalry game (Texas A&M/UT) and see what a beautiful experience it is. No one sits down and it is loud! It is an event. If you want to see the intricacies of the game, you need to watch at home. If you want to enjoy the experience of cheering for your team with like-minded strangers, nothing beats the in person event. Quit imposing your will and changing what has always been.
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Rating: 4.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
ROCK ON Nittany Titans! WTF is homefield ADVANTAGE if u cant rattle a lineman w/deafening amounts of noise & 70000 jumping/screaming (almost certifiably) luantic fans, into causing a false start thus enabling your team to have an easier time getting a stop & punt. If that isnt one of the main selling points of not having neutral field games then i dont know what is.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
People that txt-message security to kick Real fans outta games would be imprisoned for life or shot in Micheal Wilbon’s world so y not in the good ole us-of-a.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
It’s the off season, isn’t it.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 3:31 am
thanks billsfanaddict … next time y’all play us in Nashville you gotta beer on me my friend … or better yet, come tailgate with us!!!! … just don’t bring Marshawn Lynch with ya … JK, LOL …
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Mike -
Let me help you with this one. With the higher cost of PSL’s comes a higher quality of jerk. In Baltimore, my family and I sit behind fans whose chief interest is standing and cell phoning each other throughout the game regardless of what’s happening on the field. I agree, when something exciting is happening, stand up, cheer, wave your arms, lift your beer cup high. When it’s not, sit down and let the real fans enjoy the game. I wish my stadium had a policy like Arrowhead.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Standing, sitting, yelling, screaming, clapping, whatever. The whole point is to be RESPECTFUL of the people around you. I personally wouldn’t consider blocking someones view for three hours to be respectful. I cheer the whole game and get louder on D but, usually save my standing and going crazy for third downs. Gotta have something in the tank for the fourth quarter.
If YOUR team has the ball - you’re supposed to be QUIET leading up to the snap. I’m always surprised how many of these ‘diehards’ ignore the QB flapping his arms to tell YOU to shut the hell up so his teammates can hear the play.
I’m with the Niner fan above too. Nothing worse than some loudmouthed clown sharing his commentary for the whole section. Yeah, I get it, you don’t like Kordell. Now shut the f*%k up!! There’s a GAME going on. I didn’t pay to listen to YOU.
It’s official - The Patriots hate YOU too.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 9:49 am
This isn’t a rule for true football fans…I stand every game. I have too much nervous energy to sit when I watch my team. Whether I’m home, at a sports bar or at the game…I’m standing. Let them try to kick me out.
Rob
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hey it’s the KC… lol
We all know why they are doing this. It’s not b/c their fans are standing. They have nothing to cheer about, other than maybe a close game once in a blue-moon.
It’s so their fans can text in about the OTHER TEAM’s FANS standing as they make a BIG PLAY on Offense & Defense!!! I guess they hope that by late in the 4th the other team will not have any fans left in the stadium due to the million big plays that their team has already made…I mean who does not stand and cheer as their team makes yet another big play, even if it is vs. the Lady Chiefs!!!
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
All the rules are fine from what I read. I don’t think it’s anti-standing, rather people blatantly obstructing view.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Some one said that Gillette has a no standing room policy but I disagree. I’ve only been to 11 games, but we were able to stand when it was appropriate for the game. Not only that, but the Patriots sell standing room only tickets for people who do want to stand the whole time. Not only that, but Gillette has a huuuuge concourse with a great view of the field that people stand and watch the game from all the time.
The Pats are strict but I think they’re fair. They have a fantastic stadium.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Pats: Stadium - Fantastic. Parking - horrible. Not to mention expensive and far away. Pats and FAIR in a sentence together? That’s a first.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
As some have touched on before, this is a matter of ’selfishness’. As it applies to personal opinion it is immaterial whether you prefer to sit down or stand up. What ‘does’ matter is what the stadium rules are.
Personally, I prefer sitting and if there is a stadium policy against standing to whatever extent, then everyone better abide…there is no gray area. If you don’t like it stay home or buy your own team and/or stadium and stand for all eternity as such ‘your’ choice. I’ve been a fan since the 1960s and it is no reflection on ones fanhood - whether they sit all game or stand all game. I do enjoy watching games moreso while at home because you don’t have to deal with the assorted selfish types, the drunks, etc. When I people who disregard the rules in lieu of what ‘they’ want,
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Stadium ‘rules’ are the ONLY thing that matters. Whether you prefer sitting or standing, all people had better do what the rules require. Keep the selfishness at home if you will not abide.
I prefer sitting and so prefer watching games at home because of those selfish slobs who will not abide. It does not make you a fan or more or less of one whether you prefer sitting or standing. Again, the only thing that matters are the rules (just like the players have to abide by said and can’t create their own just for their benefit.)
I get so tired of these selfish b******s who think of no one but themselves, so when I do go to games I always do what I can to ensure
the rules are being followed. I take it on myself to speak up and if that isn’t sufficient I get the stadium authorities involved. Those who won’t abide don’t like this, but, they soon are abiding.
Again, rules are preminent, individual preference is not. Now sit down & shut up, or sit down and yell, but don’t block my view you pinheads.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
“…it can be a pain in the arse when the guys in front of you decide to stand up, if for example the road team is facing third down and seven in the fourth quarter of a tie game.”
That is exactly the time to stand up and make noise to distract the opponent to enhance your own team’s, you know, home field advantage.
I was at the Raiders-Lions game last year in Oakland and a few older people behind me kept telling me and my friends to sit down, eventually calling over some sheriffs to talk to us. We weren’t even standing the whole time, just after the Raiders made big plays (not often) or when we wanted to make noise when the Lions had third or fourth down. It was ridiculous.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
at arrowhead you really dont sit at the games…this is just stupid
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June 29th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
If you want to sit during a football game buy the sunday ticket and watch it at home!!!!!
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
June 30th, 2008 at 11:25 am
It’s all about being respectful to others, in any situation, even if they’re opposing team fans. People, this is a game! I think Icon has really hit the nail on the head, you don’t like their rules- don’t spend your money in their stadium. Simple. There will always be unfortunate incidents, like FiveFiveNine experienced, but as long as you keep a cool head, as it sounds like he did, and act like a civilized person, things should work out better for everyone, including stadium management. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be so bad for the security to have a few experiences with some obnoxious ’sitters’ so they can realize that not all instances of ’standing’ are obnoxious and belligerent.
i suppose if they wanted everyone to stand the whole time, they wouldn’t fill the f’n stadium with seats. i don’t know….
and for the record, i’m both a ’sitter’ and ’stander’, and i like to yell a whole lot, and talk to, and make friends with people around me. And i like to drink, too. I also always try to make it a point to make friends with the opponents fans, or at least be civil, if that’s all they’re capable of handling.
See, my highschool football team used to lose- a lot, so i learned about, and experienced first hand, all different types of ‘winners’ during those four years. I learned to appreciate the humble ones. so i just try to make like a Packer Fan and set an example with my actions.
see y’all at the game!
Go AFC SOUTH !
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 30th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
“If you go to a football game, you shouldn’t expect it to be as forgiving an environment as your living room.”
So as a guest, shouldn’t you follow the rules of the house and sit your ass down? You can stand in your home, right?
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 30th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
“If you want to sit during a football game buy the sunday ticket and watch it at home!”
How about if you want to stand during a football game, you do it at home or in the stadium bathroom? Or how about this: If you’re 5′6″ or shorter, you can stand the entire game if you want. I’m telling you guys, keep it up and cheapskates like Mike Brown and Ralph Wilson will sell the seating right out from under you and you won’t have a choice.
Side note: Once again Jerry Jones shows himself to be a master innovator. He’s been planning for years to sell “standing only” tickets in the new stadium.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
June 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I didn’t read the article but I seriously doubt the policy prohibits standing. I’ve been to a lot of games in the past and sometimes certain sections of the stadium stand a little too much (the entire game). The issue is with continuous standing. Believe it or not, there are a lot of season ticket holders that have been season ticket holds for 20+ years. They are pretty old, and they are the ones complaining about having to stand for the entire game.
I think the Chiefs are just trying to appease the old folks that are calling in and complaining that they can’t go to games anymore because their hips hurt. What they want is for people to sit down when there isn’t important stuff going on on the field. And stand up only when things get exciting.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)