Fans Ranked #1 Folly in NFL

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d8181c2c4/Top-Ten-Follies-Crazy-fans

This video from NFL Films was aired on the NFL Network as a show rating the top ten follies of the NFL. The fans were ranked #1 by sports writers and analysists. The commentary is very powerful on this video because they claim that NFL fans are ridiculous and many need to be analyzed by a psychologist. Several of the outfits fans wore in this program were very violent, and the fans seem to take on this violent persona. Note the one Raiders fan who yells at the camera that “it’s about pain”, then the other Raiders fan who has a doll’s head that represents a decapitated Miami Dolphin’s player’s head. The fans who dress in these violent costumes are transformed into the character they are dressed as and take on a violent mentality and personality. Even one commentator states that “Raiders fans will stab your baby” which clearly labels the entire Raider fan basis as extremely violent and out of control. These fans really live two different lives, their normal life, and their NFL fan life. One commentator recalls his experience with a Raiders fan who was dressed in a costume complete with a giant skull mask, when the commentator asked the fan what his job was he replied “I’m a second grade teacher”. I highly doubt he dresses and behaves like that around his second grade students. Therefore, to be an NFL fan is to live a double life. Another interesting part of the program was the group of fans holding the sign that read “look at the idiot” which can only mean that they realize that they as fans, and their behaviors, are unintelligent. One thing that is worth observing and analyzing is the one fan that brings his body paint into the stadium with him, and you see him giving himself a touch up. I would think that one coat would be enough, and if it started to wear off that that would be a good thing. Not for this fan though, he wants to make sure his body paint is perfect all the time, that’s what it takes to be a true fan. These fans get other fans involved in their behaviors as well. Note the Seattle Seahawks fan that repeatedly bangs on the wall, no one looks at him as if he is deranged or out of control, in fact they begin to cheer louder the longer he continues to bang on the wall. These are the fans of the NFL, they are viewed on game days as normal, they are applauded and looked up to, and they are not out of control. When the commentator talks about the fans in the beginning of this program and asks repeatedly “what is wrong with you”, I’m sure all NFL fans would say in reply “nothing, this is what it takes to be a true fan”. The fans of the NFL seem proud to be the #1 folly of the NFL.

Fans Worthy of a Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7zsnomGIp8&feature=related

The movie is about the director following several fans who have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, and what life is like in their shoes. The most powerful part of this movie trailer is when the Giants fan claims he wears Giants apparel every day and the director stamps the word “excessive” over his picture. Then again when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan claims that anything he loses while driving and tailgating he can instantly replace it and the director stamps the word “irrational” over his picture. The director uses those words to describe those fans’ behavior and their fanatical ways as excessive and irrational. Another powerful point is when the Green Bay Packers fan states that if he were to die tomorrow he would die happy and proud of his life. It is amazing to think that so many fans live for being an NFL fan, and everything else is obsolete. Even the Minnesota Vikings fan claims that this is a way of life for him, that some people eat breakfast in the morning while he decides to paint his face and color his hair. The director, as I am sure many others, feel that these fans are excessive and irrational, but if you watch the trailer carefully, you will notice when they are at tailgates or outside the stadium that other fans cheer them on. They are icons to other fans, and are not deemed excessive or out of control. One thing that is noticeable is that these fans definitely live two different lives. Note how they act and are dressed when they are being interviewed outside the football setting. They are dressed normal, no face paint or anything, and they are talking softly and appear to be acting rational. The second they get into whatever outfit or face paint they plan on, there is a very noticeable change in their behavior. The fanatical fans when around the football scene and other fans start shouting, waving their arms around, and act completely different than they were during the candid interviews. Another interesting part of this trailer is that these fans are inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. I wonder what the criteria is for a fan to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Obviously one can generate an idea of what it takes after watching the trailer, and it seems to be inducted, you have to be excessive, irrational, and out of control.

What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You

/20041http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib031/news_7m31safe.html

The article goes into great depth about various severely violent incidents that have occurred at San Diego Chargers games. The incidents themselves are horrible and frightening to imagine, but what is even worst is the fact that neither the NFL nor the stadiums keep track of these incidents. There are no statistics on violence in stadiums, none whatsoever. If there are no statistics then we can never know for sure if fans are more out of control now than they ever were before. There are statistics for the number of DUI arrests, accidents and deaths caused by drunk driving, murders, and much more. Why are there records for all types of incidents that occur outside the stadium walls but not inside? The reasoning can only be that inside the stadium walls there is tolerance and acceptance of fans and their behaviors regardless of how violent or out of control they may be. The article depicts some of the most violent incidents that have ever occurred inside an NFL stadium and it is hard to swallow that the NFL and the stadiums are not compelled to keep records of these incidents to study and learn from. If there is ever going to be a change in the way fans act, then history must be tracked so that we can learn from the history of fans and make acceptable changes to keep fans safe. If the NFL feels that there is no need to monitor and record fan violence in NFL stadiums, then clearly it must not be an issue, and fans are safe and sound at every game because there are no out of control fans. I wonder if the fan in the picture being carried away after being assaulted feels the same way.

A History Lesson

December 15, 1968: Fans hurl snowballs at Santa Claus at an Eagles game.

December 28, 1975: In Bloomington, Minnesota, the Minnesota Vikings led the Dallas Cowboys 14–10 when Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach threw what would become known as the "Hail Mary pass" to wide receiver Drew Pearson for what would be the winning touchdown and a final score of 17–14. The Vikings protested, but field judge Armen Terzian ruled the catch and touchdown legal, and assessed Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing with officials. After the kickoff, with 14 seconds left to play, a whiskey bottle thrown by a fan hit Terzian in the head, creating a forehead gash requiring 11 stitches

October 1, 1989: During a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos at Cleveland Stadium, officials had the teams switch end zones in the fourth quarter to protect Denver players from batteries and other objects being thrown from the Dawg Pound. The switch put the wind at the Browns' back, and the Browns wound up winning on a field goal that barely cleared the crossbar

December 10, 1989: Cincinnati Bengals fans, angered by what they perceived as a bad call, threw beer bottles and various objects at officials and Seattle Seahawks players. After the Seahawks refused to play until the field was cleared (they were backed up deep in their own territory and therefore a fairly easy target), Bengals coach Sam Wyche addressed the crowd - alluding to the boorish reputation of their in-state rivals - angrily reminding Bengals fans that "You don't live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"

December 17, 1995: Knowing that they would lose their team to Baltimore for the next year, fans of the Cleveland Browns, especially those in the Dawg Pound area of Cleveland Municipal Stadium, were so hostile during the team's final home game against the Cincinnati Bengals that game play coming toward the Dawg Pound had to be directed towards the opposite end of the stadium. There was extensive damage to the stadium, as empty seats were torn and thrown onto the field, fires were set in the bleachers, sinks and stalls were torn from the bathrooms, and stadium security were also attacked.

December 23, 1995: With the San Diego Chargers leading 27-17 during the fourth quarter of a game between the New York Giants and the Chargers at Giants Stadium, intoxicated Giants fans threw hundreds of snowballs and chunks of ice at Chargers players and team officials, injuring fifteen people; Chargers equipment manager Sid Brooks was knocked unconscious and had to be removed from the arena on a stretcher. 15 people were arrested and a further 175 were ejected, with 75 fans having their season tickets revoked. Following this incident, the NFL mandated that seating areas be cleared of all snow and ice prior to the opening of the stadium gates.

January, 2010: A woman wearing a Troy Aikman jersey in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (about 80 minutes outside Philly) was slashed across the face by two men wearing Philly Eagles gear.

This is obviously not a complete timeline of all incidents that have occurred, but it is enough information for one to gain a perspective on the amount, frequency, and type of violence that occurs. What is amazing is this type of behavior has been going on for over four decades and the NFL is just now trying to implement policies to curtail this type of fan behavior. The incidents outlined speak for themselves, what I find interesting is the lack of effort from the NFL in knowing the history of fan behavior but not doing anything about it immediately. Take for instance the very first incident noted is in 1968 and it involves Eagles fans throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. Then notice how in 1995 Giants fans rain snowballs down on Chargers players and team officials. In this incident one person was knocked unconscious, 15 people were arrested, 175 fans were ejected, and 75 fans had their season tickets revoked. The results of this incident caused the NFL to mandate that all stadiums are to remove snow and ice prior to the start of games. If the NFL would have taken note of the original 1968 incident and planned for that type of behavior to escalade, then the snow removal mandate would have been implemented before that horrible incident in 1995. History repeats itself, and evidently the NFL does not care.

U.S. Department of Justice Informs Fans What to Expect

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e080828167.pdf

This is a very in depth article and I want to only analyze pages 3-4 of the document because they outline what fans should expect and be prepared for when attending a game. It is shocking that the Department of Justice and the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing had to create this document in order to be prepared for policing fans. This is not a document explaining how to change fan behavior or how to prevent fan violence, just how to control it. If the police and security of stadiums during games just want to know how to control fans, not prevent them from engaging in behaviors that lead to violence, then it is abundantly clear that the security and police find nothing wrong with the majority of fan behavior. If police are only concerned with major incidents then why should the majority of NFL fans feel compelled to change, or even view their culture and their behaviors as out of control? The list of the six most common forms of fan aggression is very telling about what to expect from fans. The list states just about everything that a fan can and could do within a stadium, from aggressive singing to shootings. Reading this list just one time is enough to make someone who has never attended an NFL game think twice before purchasing a ticket. Reading this list makes one realize that every time you enter an NFL stadium you are putting yourself at risk to endure “verbal aggression, gesturing, missile throwing, warming, property destruction, and physical assault”, even possibly death. That is quite a lot to put up with for a three and a half hour game, and it is interesting that the police just want to inform, not prevent. I also find the outline of whom and what the fans target their aggression towards very interesting, because just like the types of violence fans will engage in, there is an endless amount of targets for fans to focus their aggression on. Fans will act out on anybody and anything, from other fans, to security, players and coaches, and any and all physical structures. “Spectator Violence in Stadiums” reveals that NFL fans are aggressive in a variety of ways, they will vent their aggression on anything and anyone, and the police are not trying to change or prevent these acts from happening, they only want to be informed and prepared. Clearly the behaviors outlined are accepted and expected by fans and the police, and there is no need for change, NFL fans are normal.  

No One Likes A Tattletale!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Tattletales-NFL-teams-ask-for-text-messages-abo?urn=nfl-130422

The title of this blog says a lot about NFL fans and their culture. Having the title start with the word “tattletales” when writing about stadiums incorporating a text messaging system to help fans report out of control fans and possibly gain access to security faster reveals that not only the author of this blog, but their intended audience as well, feel this is unnecessary and only provides a means to tattletale not aid innocent fans. The author even gives the phrase “text-narcing” to describe this new way for NFL fans to report on other fans. The author continues to prove their point by stating that fans are just going to use this as a form to be more annoying, and the only ones who will benefit from this will be the fans who enjoy nagging about “mildly annoying” fans, and fan behavior in general. The author makes it clear that NFL fans do not want to be monitored by other fans, and they do not want tattletales. I wonder if the author feels there is no need for security as well since they do not want to be monitored by those sitting near them. If so, then there is no need for anyone to monitor the fans, just let them be. The picture accompanying this blog is revealing as well, and tells why fans do not want change. Notice how the gentleman is being escorted by police but does not have a sad demeanor, nor is his body language of one who is going to jail. He has his shoulders out, his chest sticking out, and he is looking up at the crowd with an almost proud and victorious facial expression. The police officer on the right side of the photo is exuding the body language I would think the fan would have. The officer is looking down and has a blank expression on his face. The other officer looks to be annoyed by the fan and having to escort him off the field. The fan is clearly proud of his accomplishment of getting onto the football field during his team’s game. He is not remorseful of going to jail, that does not matter, what matters to this fan is he is now in his mind an immortal fan to other fans who will forever remember him for his heroic run across the field.

The Commissioner Weighs In

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8086b7e5/Commissioner-on-fan-conduct

This video is to represent the type of fans and fan behavior that the commissioner of the NFL expects from all fans during all games. I find it ironic that Roger Goodell states that he wants fans to still enjoy alcohol and shouting but wants the fans to be responsible and act “civilized”. Since when does being civilized involve getting drunk and yelling? Notice as he is giving this part of his statement the video shows people drinking, yelling, and dressed up in ridiculous costumes and face paint. I guess being a civilized and responsible NFL fan still involves being rowdy, dressing up in costumes, and drinking alcohol. I found it particularly interesting when Roger Goodell says that he wants the fans to not be disruptive of other fans, and not ruin their good time. Right as he says this the video shows a large male painted in red with some kind of ball in his mouth. If I was next to this fan I know that I would not have a good time because he and his outfit would be very disruptive to me and he would be my focus, not the game. It is interesting that the video shows people that look responsible for only a fraction of the time; the rest of the video is filled with people who look as the ones Roger Goodell is addressing, and demanding they change their behavior. The most contradictory image in the video to Roger Goodell’s speech is the one where fans are obviously intoxicated and are shaking a truck in the parking lot while another intoxicated man dances on the roof waiving a flag. If the video is to be a visual representation of Roger Goodell’s address to the fans, then it is clear that a civilized NFL fan is one who enjoys alcohol, yelling, getting dressed up in costume, applying face paint, tipping over trucks in the parking lot, shaking a towel around in the air, putting a large ball in their mouth, makes barking noises to cameras. If this truly is a civilized NFL fan, then nothing needs to be changed and this video is unnecessary, because the NFL fans are already what the NFL wants.

NFL Implements Fan Code of Conduct

FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

“The National Football League and its teams are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all fans, both in the stadium and in the parking lot. We want all fans attending our games to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. When attending a game, you are required to refrain from the following behaviors:

Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature.Intoxication or other signs of alcohol impairment that results in irresponsible behavior.Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.Interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field).Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans.

Event patrons are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats. Stadium staff will promptly intervene to support an environment where event patrons, their guests, and other fans can enjoy the event free from the above behavior. Event patrons and guests who violate these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games.”

Poll

What do you think of the NFL's new fan conduct policy?

28%	It's about time
72%	Let fans be fans

Total Votes: 1836

The picture dictates what the NFL wants, fans still tailgating and getting drunk, but with a little reserve. Notice how vague the policy is, there is no description or examples given of specific behaviors that will not be tolerated. It is a decent outline of behaviors at best. If the NFL is serious about enforcing this then it would be more efficient and definitive to have a better defined list of behaviors, profanity, and actions that will be the main focus of security. For fans this is basically laughable because profanity and alcohol has never been a focus for security and a great majority of fans know it never will be. What is really interesting is how the policy is written in large, bold print but the consequences of being kicked out of the stadium and having future ticket purchasing opportunities is written bellow in smaller writing. Seems as if the NFL wanted to display this policy as more of a parental guideline for the fans and make the punishment for any offenses secondary. The poll results are the fans telling the NFL they basically do not care about this policy and will not follow it. 72% of fans polled feel that the NFL should just “let the fans be fans”, showing that the fans themselves expect, tolerate, and condone the behaviors outlined by the Fan Conduct Policy. If the policy is aimed at the majority of fans who find the behaviors outlined normal, then the policy should be more defined, more demanding, and the punishment should be more of a focus, as well as more severe. That is IF the NFL really wants to change its fans and the culture they have created. Otherwise keep the list of behaviors as is, just eliminate the punishment part because according to fans that is THE code of conduct policy; drinking, violence, profanity, and no punishment because that is NFL fan culture. 

To Tailgate or Not To Tailgate...That Is the Question

http://www.tailgatingideas.com/the-nfl-is-coming-for-your-tailgating-time/

The two pictures are what is most telling about this blog, and the author’s real thoughts on tailgating and the NFL reducing the amount of time tailgaters have. The author claims that most tailgaters are there to cook food and watch other games on television, not to get as drunk as humanly possible before kickoff. If this is true then why does the picture that shows a happy group of fans who seem to be responsibly tailgating get the red circle with the line going through it indicating times like these are over for fans. The other picture shows severely intoxicated men with alcohol in their hands, and does not get the “no” sign stamped over it. This reveals the author is signifying the good times of responsible tailgating are over and the time for drunkenness is here thanks to the NFL’s new tailgating rules. The blog is defending responsible tailgating but the pictures show advocacy towards drunkenness. The blog even gives readers a way to confront the NFL on this matter, and even provides a sample letter as a template for others to use. If the author does not want to promote or condone alcohol as a part of tailgating, then there is no need to confront the NFL on this issue. I do not see the need for more than three and a half hours for cooking and eating, especially when you are there to be in the stadium. The inconsistency with the author’s argument is not only proven by the pictures the author posts, but also by the fact that beer pong tables and bud light tailgating advertisements are located at the bottom of the blog. The replies are surprising too because it appears the author has attracted people who are pro-drunkenness because the majority of the replies agree with the author on being unhappy with the new tailgating hours rule, but many also proudly claim how fast they can drink and get drunk so a time limit means nothing to their partying. The blog does not convey the feeling of supporting sober tailgating; instead it does an excellent job of promoting drinking and drinking games as a primary way to enjoy a good tailgate party. I do not understand how three and a half hours is not enough time to enjoy food and time with friends and fellow fans, but I do understand after analyzing this blog that to be a true NFL fan one must tailgate for as many hours as possible, stuff themselves full of food, have plenty of alcohol, and get ready to be rowdy and heckle some visiting fans.

If You Can't Take the Heat Stay Out of the Kitchen

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Giants-sued-by-woman-claiming-injury-at-'09-game-090610

The most powerful statement made by this article is the statement that claims Michelle Munoz told security about fans that were being a problem to her, and her enjoyment of the game that she was attending. She was ignored, as was her request for help, and subsequently she was assaulted and received possible permanent back injuries. I believe it would be impossible for someone to read this story and not come away with the impression that if one cannot handle the profanity, the heckling, or the violence exuded by NFL fans, then one does not belong there and should not buy a ticket to a game, ever. Since there is no mentioning of the fans who assaulted Michelle Munoz, one is left to assume that they were not charged with assault, and probably were not even ejected from the stadium, further proving that violence is acceptable and is part of the norm. Though all stadiums have strict rules regarding fan violence and behavior it is abundantly clear that those rules and the security that enforces them are for show only, and can be disregarded at any time by fans. NFL fans are not out of control, they are in control.

Classic Mob Mentality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvXNjfXbUaQ

It takes quite a bit of time to make a snowball and to execute the type of throws these fans are deploying upon helpless visiting fans. Therefore, it is clear that there are several dozen fans engaging in this barbaric behavior that evidently is acceptable by the stadium and the other fans. All stadiums allow fans of other teams to purchase tickets and attend any game they please, whether they are a fan of that team or not. It seems however that the fans of the home teams do not understand this, or just do not care about the rights of others. Not only are the number of snowballs being thrown and the number of fans throwing them appalling, but the fact that security escorts the visiting team’s fans out because they are the issue is both shocking and revealing. Stadium security decides that the innocent fans being pelted with snowballs for no other reason than cheering against the home team are the ones who should be escorted out reveals that not only is the behavior of the mob acceptable, it is defendable as well. That sends a loud message to all fans that they can harass and leash out on visiting fans as much as they want, and the stadium security will have their backs on it. It seems that stadiums have an unspoken rule, the home team fans get a carte blanche and can do whatever they want, that is the norm and is to be expected and applauded.  It is obvious that there are two games being played on game day, the one on the field, and the one in the stands. The referees monitor the game, the stadium security monitors the stands, and may the best team win.

More Hitting In the Stands than On the Field

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3-IIERdzqI&feature=related

This video shows how the entertainment fans receive from violence in the stands far outweighs the entertainment value they receive from the football game that they paid money to attend. The video’s original intent was to be a recording of the game. The director of this video is clearly focused on the game alone at the beginning of this clip, but then a fight breaks out. You see the camera surfing for where the profanities are coming from at the beginning, and then you here the excitement from the director when he finds the fight. The person in the green jersey is a Green Bay Packers fan attending a game at the New York Giants. I do not know what started this heated argument, but you notice a change in his demeanor very quickly when he stands and confronts the other fan he is arguing with because he begins to posture himself in a very aggressive manner. You can see his hand gestures as he waves for the other fan to come towards him. He begins to lift up his jersey and you see his anger escalade by his facial expressions. What happens next really needs to be analyzed because the Green Bay Packers fan seems to just switch into a completely different person. Right after he lifts his jersey notice his facial expression, it is one of someone who just became completely possessed by anger and violence. He then fully extends his arm and with an open palm he shoves a female by her face and almost causes her to fall down several rows of stands. A man eventually holds the Packers fan down, and seems to try and talk to him and calm him down. The Packers fan must be possessed with uncontrollable rage because he escapes and is consequently knocked down rows of seats. This is a very brutal and despicable incident but what makes it even worst is the lack of chivalry and decency in the people surrounding the incident. I would think that after witnessing a woman being assaulted more fans would try to hold the dangerous and violent Packers fan down until security arrived…..but this is the NFL, and these are its fans.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIQcy8P4mqQ

It is not that a woman is fighting in this video that is troublesome, it is the fact that the other fans around the incident start to cheer and shout profanity back at the woman. The football game is no longer the attraction as everyone around this incident has shifted their focus and their cheering towards the fight between fans. I find it very ironic that both the woman and the man involved in the argument are both Detroit Lions fans. How do two “fans” of the same team engage in an argument while their team is playing against the Minnesota Vikings, who are division rivals with the Lions? It also hard to understand how the woman’s friend is trying to pull her away from the argument, but later ends up yelling in the man’s face just like her friend was. Notice how long it takes security to arrive even though through most of the video the two gentlemen are constantly calling for security. At one point they even make eye contact with security on the field and you can see the security officers look up at them and then casually walk away. Finally, it is shocking to see how the woman reacts when she is approached by security. She continues to banter with the other fans while simultaneously pleading with the officers. She does not seem to understand or really care that she is being escorted by security and embarrassing herself. In fact, when the officers try to let her retrieve her purse, she takes the opportunity to punch the fan. Now you would think since there was police there assisting she would realize that she is now going to jail for assault and would start acting more sorrowful and regretful, instead she decides to shout profanity at Vikings fans on her way out of the stadium. It is hard to understand what would cause this woman to engage in a verbal conflict with a fellow fan, that other fans would cheer and encourage the fight, how long it takes security to arrive allowing the incident to escalate, and how a person can show no remorse or shame while being placed under arrest and escorted out of the stadium. NFL fans clearly have a different personality and attitude when attending games if this is the sort of behavior that is tolerated and cheered for.

We Are......Sparta?

If getting dressed up in costumes is part of being a regular NFL fan then why is no one around this person in costume as well? The most powerful aspect of this photograph is the gentleman’s posture. He is standing up straight, chin up, chest out, and shoulders back. Everything about his posture shouts that he is a proud and powerful man of stature, and he should be feared and respected. His choice of costume and his posture clearly reveals that he is no longer in his “regular” mindset but is now consumed by his costume, and has taken over the persona of a Spartan warrior. Notice how he is the only one standing, as if he was the leader of his fellow fans getting them ready to take charge on opposing teams and fans. The most surprising part of this photograph is that there are maybe three people that notice this fan, and only one looks annoyed by him, and that is the gentleman at the bottom right of the picture. Everyone else seems to be only looking at the game or the jumbo television screen. The fact that no one seems to care about this fan makes it abundantly clear that fans of this nature are normal, acceptable, and non-threatening. Finally, notice that the Dallas Cowboys symbol is on the side of his helmet. The blue star has long been the logo of the Cowboys, and is on every player’s helmet. The star being on his Spartan helmet conveys either that football is a battle or a war, or that he himself is part of the Dallas Cowboys team, and is ready to go into war with his fellow teammates. His whole costume is a symbol of violence. He looks more ready to engage in bloody battle rather than sitting with families, friends, and fellow fans watching a game of football.

Are Some Games Played in Hell?

This fan is clearly an Oakland Raiders fan because he has dawned himself in silver face paint, as well as silver and black shoulder pads, which all match the silver and black colors in the Raiders logo and apparel. The frightening aspect of this photo is that the gentleman has taken ordinary shoulder pads worn by football players of all ages, and has decided to add spikes and skulls that are very violent and dark in appearance. Each shoulder is accompanied by large, intimidating skulls, and those skulls have a headdress or a crown of large spikes. This signifies that either death accompanies this fan or his team, or that the team, or the fans, are warriors of death themselves. The various spikes and skulls throughout his chest and neck seem to convey the same dark message or theme as the shoulders. He seems to be in a violent state of mind as he is yelling, and has an intense scowl as he stares down his foe. Here again is a fan that seems to take on the persona he dresses himself up to be. Both the Spartan Cowboys fan and this “Warrior of Death” Raiders fan seem to have gotten dressed for a bloody battle rather than a game of football. Their outfits, demeanor, and postures are those of people who are waiting to engage in, who are prepared for, and are anticipating violence. Notice how his face paint is the same silver as in the Raiders logo, but also the same grey as the giant skulls on his shoulders, further signifying that he and his team are warriors of death, they cannot die, and they are not here to watch and cheer for a game, but rather the destruction and death of another opposing team.