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.