Excessive standing.
Yep, you read that right! Bob Stipe, a 25-year rabid member of the Dawg Pound, is a very loyal fan. He loves to go to the game with other friends and family and root very loudly for his team.
However, on Sunday, Stipe was cited once for excessive standing before his ejection. That first offense was for standing and cheering during a third down play in the first quarter. An usher ran down to tell him that he couldn't do it, but Stipe states that everyone was also standing behind him already.
Later in the third quarter, he was scolded for standing again (this time during a tv timeout) and was informed that he was now being ejected. Apparently it's one warning and you're out.
It's actually Cleveland Browns stadium policy:
"Please be aware that when you stand, you block the view of the fans behind you. We do not wish to diminish your ability to cheer and enjoy the game; however, your continued standing can interfere with others’ ability to enjoy the game from their seats.”As a season ticket holder, Stipe is exactly the kind of fan that the Browns want. Except they don't want him standing.
This is where I'm confused. I would expect that the fans who actually go to the games to be some of the most exuberant fans a team can have. The kind that the teams want to have in the stadium.
Or is it?
The NFL is definitely pushing to encourage better behavior from its fans at the stadiums. Cutting down on drunken behavior, cursing, and violence in the stands is something that I think that the vast majority of fans would agree with.
However, telling people when they can/can not stand is excessive and ridiculous. You WANT fans to cheer for their team. They can't do it sitting on their hands.
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