No, you didn't. The plain fact of the matter is that "downtown" (Center City) is a high rent area and you likely can't afford to live there. Most residents are college graduates and many have professional degrees. I assume you're one of those people unfamiliar with the East Coast who thinks that all rowhomes = poverty.

National media idiots have been knocking the city for years. Don't believe everything you read/see.

Who is the "they" who told your brother to "get"? First off, no one in this area says "get" or "git" or anything else you might hear Bo and Luke Duke say.

In fact, I cringe whenever anyone says "Philly" if not modified by "South" or "North" etc because that's a big flashing red signal that you're not from around here.

THis same thing happened to me in August during the Buc's pre season game with the Patriots. I was kicked out and handcuffed for rooting for the Pats. I had my Wes Welker jersey on and was escorted out of the stadium after being thrown in a holding cell for about 30 minutes. How can I link up with Steve and have our voices heard???

NFL Encourages Fans to Send Text Messages to Security Staff to Report Troublemakers
December 30th, 2008

Via: USA Today:

Corporations can be greedy, bureaucratic and annoying but only to a point. If you're being "singled out" there's probably a reason for it.

Can we hear the "other" side of the story?

And Consumerist? There's more things going on about this than what you posted now. Get with the due diligence.

He had an Oakland Raider's inner tube hidden under his shirt, which he had blown up for a while and then deflated. The inner tube was hitting the fans around him and when they went to report him, he deflated it and hid it under his shirt. The cops escorted him out and I followed (to get a beer and gawk). They asked him if he had an inner tube and he told the Cops no. So they made him lift up his shirt and there it was. Then they cuffed him and escorted him out. Lying to cops is just plain stupid. Even for a Raiders fan.

We're just getting one side here.

Does Consumerist do any investigating, or do they post things hoping they're true?

On the other hand, I don't see them getting past the 2nd round of the playoffs. And even beating Baltimore is going to be tough.

Mmmm...I think that this is not the whole story. I don't mean to blame the original poster, but I have to think there was a case of mistaken identity or something. There is also a system at Raymond James where fans can text complaints about other fans to security. My bet is that someone (or more than one) reported this guy and security took their word for it.

My husband went to this game and was seated in a section with a very obnoxious Raiders fan. There was some not-so-friendly talk back and forth between the opposing fans. There was a cop keeping an eye on things, but he didn't intervene. The Raiders fan removed his jersey in the bathroom at the end of the game to walk out of the stadium, but it all ended just fine. So this sounds like an unusual circumstance that is not typical of the Bucs or Ray Jay.

@thor79:

I belong to a site wheret a Tampa fan posted what they witnessed.

First, it seems you have to enter the stadium through one of four places, and the place of entry must be near your section.

This fan was a few rows behind the Raiders fan. He said he did nothing wrong, and acted like any fan would, cheering his team on. He said when security came and took him away, almost everyone around him were wondering what he had done, as they saw nothing to warrant any action being taken at all.

@snowburnt:

Snowburnt, A Steelers fan would have been sent packing just the same, and there isn't a thing any of you towel swinging loonies could have done to stop it. You do realize the Raiders, just as do the Steelers, have one of the largest fanbases in all of football. You can bet that there are just as many Raiders fans at away games as there are Steelers fans.

I remember when San Diego had to force people to buy tickets to an extra game for the Raiders games, because the Raider Nation would take over the stadium on game day.

@Ray Cornwall: That's completely stupid.

Superman wouldn't do anything. It's Batman's cape that you shouldn't tug on.

I was at the game. There were many raiders fans there. some in full black hole attire. None were removed from what I saw. We've had some weird fans atthe games lately. One 'lady' from Mn said she was 'gonna tell her nephew Tampa fans were rude.' I could only quote Lewis Black when I replied, 'If it wasn't for my horse I never would have finished college.' this guy did something, after having season tickest for 4 yrs. I have never seen anyone tossed for doing nothing.

1: If you read your ticket, it clearly states that they can eject anyone, at any time for any reason, or no reason. Hard to believe, but true.

2:It's really difficult to believe that for no apparent reason, they just decided, out of the blue, to detain and eject an individual using tactics and under circumstances that may subject the facility and the team to serious legal exposure.

I'm not saying he's lying. Rather, I think the OP's perspective may not be as accurate as he thinks. I've visited the same stadium on 3 occasions in the past wearing all manner of Packers attire. I was also not shy about cheering at times I felt so inclined.

The Tampa Bay fans and security were friendly and courteous, even considering several spirited exchanges with the home team fans. And we're from Wisconsin (or were at that time), so we are known for having a seriously good time at Packer games, home or road.

@hmbddd: I also live in Tampa and find this hard to believe. There's certain games here where there are more out of towners or FL transplants that are cheering for the opposing team than people cheering for the Yuks. Chances are he was booted due to his behaviour and when the incident is looked in to I'm sure you won't hear a peep out of this guy.

Geez. Give him a "right color" shirt (or just ask him to take the "wrong" shirt off?) and put him on the other side so no one starts a fight over cheering at the "wrong" time. Is that so hard?

@tofoomeister:

I'll second that. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for screwing up Tampa's mojo.

this reminds me of a dolphins game i attended in 1999, i think was the year, in miami. they were playing the broncos. i was seated at the lower level of one of the endzones and there was a small group of broncos fans near us. as the game went on we had establised a pretty good back and forth taunting session between the broncos fans and us. one of the dolphins fans took it too far and started throwing food, drinks, etc, at the broncos fans. no one else liked what he was doing and someone reported him. he was put in cuffs and led away to the cheers of both broncos and dolphins fans. btw miami lost.

The worst treatment has been people teasing her about the Bills (they haven't beaten the Pats in a long time) but nothing like this ...

I have a friend who is a Packers fan, he took his son to Lambeau Field to watch a Packers - Bears game. His son insisted on wearing a Bears jersey. Some mild razzing ensued, and the dad was embarrassed as all hell, but nothing bad happened.

It was ironic, because if you looked over across to the Florida student section, there was people crowd surfing and cops standing there like nothing was going on. Its just a shame that a whole city, along with the authorities become total assholes in situations like that.

No wonder why Florida is shaped like a dick...

(No offense to any Florida readers, or anyone who didn't have anything to do with those situations...)

I watched the Yankees play the Mets at Yankee Stadium a couple years ago. Talk about your "good natured and not so good natured exchanges"!!

Actually, people were having a blast giving each other crap.

And a guy right in front of us proposed to his girlfriend via the JumboTron.

I like sports and all, but I just don't understand how somebody can take a sports rivalry so seriously and personally that they feel the need to beat the ever loving shit out of anyone wearing the wrong colors. In Serbia, there are two major soccer teams; Red Star and Partisan. They are both from Belgrade. In certain parts of town, team colors are treated almost like game colors. You find yourself wearing the wrong colors in the wrong part of town on game day, and you're cruising for a bruising.

I heard that in England they placed such tight restrictions on fan behavior at games, that causing any trouble can pretty much land your ass in prison. That's why their games are so enjoyable to watch nowadays. I certainly don't miss the days of fans running out in the field and starting fights with anyone in arm's reach.

Needless to say I will not be anxious to go to another baseball/football game. The tickets were expensive too, and the seats so small. Watching the next game was much nicer in my comfy living room with the game in 1080P.

In fact, the only time I recall officials have ever gotten involved in ANY situation is when someone runs onto the field or when an overly-enthusiastic fan starts ruining the game for others around them (usually by shouting too much or standing in others' view).

Once, after a game had let out, one fan had assaulted another and got the police involved. However, this was well outside the gates and neither person involved was wearing much of any team-specific attire. In fact, I don't think it had anything more to do with the game than both people were just previously in attendance since they were in a crowded line trying to get back on the train (probably just two jerks bumping into one another and not backing down).

That being said, if we are to believe everything from the OP, the stadium officials have some 'splainin' to do. They're not obligated to provide a reason for kicking him out of the game, but they're D-Bags for not doing so. I'd try and get this into every local news outlet and put pressure on stadium officials to 'do the right thing'. Clearly the game is over, but they can refund the ticket and maybe offer up some (team-agnostic) swag.

@KirbyKliggy:

First off, I'm pretty sure the guy's from New Jersey, no Cali.

2nd, it's ridiculous that just because some Raiders fans act obnoxious and are assholes, to think that EVERY SINGLE LAST person in America that supports the Oakland Raiders is a jerk.

I doubt it's more than even 5% that misbehave, but it's the 5% that give everybody else a bad name and lead to comments like this one.

@HelenBabality:

The OP never said he was arrested.

Just as we shouldn't automatically blame the victim, we shouldn't automatically accept his whole story either, particularly when it doesn't add up.

Finally a fellow floridian to set the people straight - the Bucs no how to deal with opposing fans. This guy is leaving something out to suit his purposes.

Actually in this day and age, and with the behavior of many fans at NFL stadiums - it does.

See, that's the problem right there. No wonder the Eagles are the only team out there that have a court, and a jail facility in the stadium.

I'm a big sports fan, but come on, its just a stupid game. Get a grip people.

@williamzabka:

Here's the thing with Tampa. NOBODY supports these teams when they suck. I went to a Rays game about six years ago to support the Pittsburgh Pirates (hold your jokes please), the place was relatively empty, and no Rays fans harassed any of the Pirates fans in attendance.

But once the teams get good, everybody in town jumps on the bandwagon. And these are usually the chest beating, fight-starting types, that aren't even real fans and just like to start trouble and talk trash.

I went to Lightning games (as a Penguins fan) for years when the bolts were terrible and we'd sell out their arena for them. Everything was cool. Then, the Lightning got good and with that came the bandwagon idiots. I went to game during that season and a Lightning "fan" called my sister a "bitch" for wearing a Pens jersey to the game. I got up to fight him (sorry, saying that to a female family member is crossing my line), but to their credit, security immediately kicked this guy out and let me stay.

Tampa teams have a trend of being terrible for years and years and years, then having sudden succcess. The few real Tampa sports fans are cool and good to talk sports with, it's the bandwagon fans that come during the good seasons that act like idiots.

As for the guy in this article, sometimes I think people in Tampa just get fed up with constantly having opposing fans in their area because it's so prevalent here!!

Sorry but i tend to agree with SMSDHubbard. It's impossible to make a reasonable and fair decision here. We only have one, biased side of the story. Of course he was unfairly targets, of course he was behaving. Fact is though, we have no way to verify anything he says. We can assume one of two scenarios - 1) he was extremely well behaved, and stadium security just had it in for him since he was a raiders fan, and didn't have anything better to do in a stadium of 80,000 people, or 2) he's not telling the entire truth about everything that happened and is merely using this forum as a way to get some form of restitution from the team and the league.

Fact of the matter is, Raymond James Stadium prides itself on having one of the best, all-around, family friendly fan experiences in the NFL. It's one of the many reasons that the site continues to be picked so often to host SuperBowl.

While his letter certainly doesn't indicate any poor behavior (like he would even admit to it), since when did it become acceptable for adults to completely disregard the rules of basic decorum? Rooting for your favorite team is no excuse.

While i don't know what happened, i am more inclined to believe Scenario 2 because its more plausible. This guy those is merely a symptom of the larger problem at sporting events. Take a trip to any stadium and you'll see it happening all over. Drunk guys fighting, cursing, making asses of themselves, and excusing it all as supporting the team. The simple fact that another fan my "kick this guys ass", is also demonstrative of the problem as a whole.

Grow up fat man, wipe the paint off your belly and put a shirt on. Set an example for your kids, for christ's sake.

As a Philadelphia fan, I have the perfect solution - send this guy some Eagles tickets.

But honestly, NFL games are quite possibly the biggest ripoffs in all of sports. Unless you pony up for a box you're getting screwed. You'd have to pay me to actually go to most games with all the subhumans running around.

The last game I went to was a Monday Nighter, Eagles Cowboys, in Philadelphia a few years ago. There was a Dallas fan who was being belligerent, and Eagles fans were being belligerent right back. Eventually, stadium security came. The Dallas fan was stupid enough to get mouthy and as they hauled him up, they found that this nutjob had a box cutter on his seat. I've never been back, and I'm a huge football fan - It's not worth a few hundred dollars to risk dismemberment at the hands of some neckless moron.

I tend to agree. Raymond James Stadium prides itself on having one of the best, all-around, family friendly fan experiences in the NFL. It's one of the many reasons that the site continues to be picked so often to host SuperBowl.

While his letter certainly doesn't indicate any poor behavior (like he would even admit to it), since when did it become acceptable for adults to completely disregard the rules of basic decorum? Rooting for your favorite team is no excuse.

And I'm not completely condemning this guy - but take a trip to any stadium and you'll see it happening all over. The simple fact that another fan my "kick this guys ass", is demonstrative of the problem as a whole.

Grow up fat man, wipe the paint off your belly and put a shirt on. Set an example for your kids, for christ's sake.

That said - he went to a game in Florida. Not sure if you know much about Florida demographics - but not many people are from Florida originally and many continue to support their hometown teams, and its extremely common at sporting events in Florida for there to be a sizable contingent of fans supporting the visiting team (Just look at any New York Jets game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami - the stadium is 60% Jets Fans).

Tampa should be very familiar with how to deal with opposing teams fans, and this is an over-reaction pure and simple. They were probably afraid of Raiders fans as a whole - they have a reputation for being rowdy. But unless they can prove this guy violated the rules - it was profiling pure and simple.

I seriously hope your joking because otherwise your vain attempt to insult another sport which you don't like is probably at stupid as it is ignorant.

Except for LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA games... those are not "family fun" games at all. Chivas fans are the worst!

There's a slight possibility this could be the case here...even if he wasn't trying to incite a riot, his mere presence in a crowd of angry red and black could be a target.

He also didn't mention that the cops roughed the guy up on the way out of the stadium, which would certainly get me to keep my mouth shut when they put those chains along the aisles. But it still pisses me off.

I'm sorry but you don't get "lead away in handcuffs" at a sporting event for "no reason."

Dear T&T...

Your team sucks.

:-)

Walking out of Tropicana Field was the smartest thing possible... even without the threat. That place is a nasty, nasty, dump. Even RFK was a better place to see a game.

Honestly, I don't understand why Tropicana thinks it's a benefit to have their name associated with that place.

I went to a playoff game in 1994 between the Raiders and the Bills in Buffalo decked out in all my Raiders attire. Nobody kicked me out for rooting for the Raiders.

@zimmi88:

what ever happened to good sportsmanship and showing respect for others?

You're not from Philadelphia, are you? ;-)

@Ray Cornwall: You think that's dangerous? I own a number 81 Eagles jersey from 2004/2005, and wear it around South Jersey every game day.

Notice I didn't say Philadelphia -- I'm contrary, not suicidal.

And an extra boo to Jerry Jones.

But yeah, I'll still watch the Superbowl...

Raiders are a horrible team with horrible fans and horrible staff. Let's hope this guy makes nation news.

Actions prohibited in Raymond James Stadium

* Smoking (except in designated locations)
* Throwing or kicking any objects
* Sitting/standing on chair backs or stepping over/on chairs
* Standing/sitting in walkways, aisles, and ramps
* Disorderly conduct including public intoxication, fighting and profanity
* Abuse of intoxicants
* Spitting tobacco juice
* Placing cups on any walls
* Running or jogging
* Entering field without proper credential

Also this is one of the more stricter stadiums security wise. One can do a news.google search and find out about the court cases this stadium has been involved in regarding searches.

I'll wait for the Tape to come out, including the NFL explanation. If he is in the clear, and described truthfully what has transpired. There is the possibility that some rival fans 'complained' and so the guards took him out. If this is the case, I think some refunds or a return ticket would be a good compensation.

@SMSDHubbard: I tend to agree. He included the bit about being in possession of narcotics because that WOULD be a reason to eject him from the game. He listed off what he didn't have and what he wasn't doing...

I'm on the fence with this, though. It's plausible, but unlikely. But I guess there is a first time to everything...

Although doing the "in your face" dance when the home team is losing an important game is probably a bad idea. At least offer to buy your seat mate a beer to help him drown his sorrows.

One other possibility... I have heard the NFL is encouraging people to call a number to report problem fans. It could be that some Tampa fan abused the system.

Can we look forward to Ben Popkin being interviewed on SportsCenter? (Sorry, Alex, Ben is the designated Consumerist talking head).

*google*

Raymond James Stadium doesn't mention it on their website, though.

I been to a number of away games. most of which were in indianapolis(I AM am BEARS fan though.) and Indianapolis fans will talk a game, but all in all if you are a good hearted fan and dont get mouthy in return everyone is extremely friendly and fun to get along with. I never even had a problem in philly sporting bears attire at a game. I got razed a bit more, but no one was threatening my life. This gentleman clearly has completely done some sort of infraction.

Jess
www.privacy-center.be.tc

Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) is the company that is the owner and manager of Raymond James Stadium. Not related to "The Sports Authority"

I have to call BS on this as well though. Something seems to be missing from this story...

It's like that cereal commercial: They're always after me Lucky Charms. Every time I say that at the grocery store, the other half says "It sounds so dirty when you say it."

Usually they just lead you away and tell you to keep it down and let you back in.

For MLS it seems like we actually get along with visiting teams supporters clubs and it actually adds to the game as you are interacting with them. We are just lucky it is not European Soccer fans.

He was up to something he's not sharing.

@Hyman Decent:

Wait...yer telling me they have a moment of silence and play "God Bless America" at every single home game?

Unto this day? How utterly mawkish.

Those backwards political insults are so convoluted and misused...

Wrigley Field is better than anything in south Florida. That carpeted dump in Tampa is one of the worst stadiums I've ever had the displeasure to enter, including the Astrodome and has more ignoramus fans than anywhere else I've been for an MLB game.

Also, Raiders fans have a bit of a reputation that may have unfortunately gotten this guy tagged with a stereotype and unfairly treated even though he individually was OK. I'm a Red Sox fan but never wear my gear into opposing stadiums because other Sox fans can be incredibly obnoxious, somebody has always had a bad experience with them, and I don't want to get caught in the crossfire. I did wear a Brady jersey to a Pats-Vikings MNF game at the Metrodome a few years ago and had no problem in my seat, but zipped up my jacket over it when I went to the restroom. The Pats were kicking the Vikings' asses and with all the alcohol at sports events, you can't be too careful.

Intoxicated is a legal definition. Your BAC is your BAC. How it affects you is not. If he had not been drinking, he would have said, "I wasn't drinking" or "I had only had 3 beers over four hours". Also, saying you weren't "found" to be in possession of a illegal substances? Who says that in a letter? That line is what piqued my interest, as it's so out of place.

As for the verbally and physically abusive line, he specifically says "to" any other fans or players. He doesn't say "I was cheering on my team" or "I was shouting out encouragements to my team" or "blowing my plastic horn". In fact, he states that he only "stood" in celebration. This is again very specific, which makes me wonder if he was shouting/yelling/etc.. but not at "anyone", so he feels that no one could take offense.

As to the ass kicking comment, I meant that someone was concerned that more than one person or a person who hasn't been sufficiently enraged yet, might resort to violence. You can't apprehend someone until they act, and once they do, it's too late. Good example is if you ever saw Die Hard 3. Bruce Willis is walking through Harlem with a sandwich board saying "I hate (N-words)". If you came across someone doing that in real life, you don't wait for someone to assault him, you remove him from that situation to diffuse it. I am IN NO WAY saying that the person in the story was making racial epithets, but it's the best example I can come up with at nearly 1am.

In a world of pure speculation, and not "blaming" the OP, but going by the adage that there are three sides to a story, Person A's, Person B's, and the truth, I wonder if this seems plausible. Person travels to a game with friends(the multiple witnesses mentioned, I am guessing). As he approcahes the entrances, he causes concern(perhaps chanting "my teams the best, team b is losers",which is getting looks from regular fans) to the ticket taker, who believe he may be intoxicated or under the influence of something, like a ticket agent at an airline. They refuse him admittance, and send him off. He seems to think it's b/c he's a fan of the rival team, and goes to three more entrances until he finally has someone let him in. The ticket takers call him into security who starts watching him with the eye in the sky or shadowing him after he enters to keep tabs on him just in case. He doesn't drink at the park as due to court rulings(especially in NJ), they can't serve people who look like they maybe over the limit. He's being "rowdy" after he takes his seat, but whoever is watching him allows him to stay as he's within limits and with his friends. His team scores a touchdown and he goes "nuts" and really celebrating. That's when they move in and remove him.
As I said, that is pure speculation, but I would really like to know more about this case. I have NO problem with finding fault with the stadium if they were wrong, and admitting I was wrong with what I speculated. So before I make my final judgement, I want some more info. Sorry if this was a long comment, and I promise to be more funny and jokey in other posts. ;)

@allthoseships: I once went to see the St Louis Cardinals vs the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in St Louis. Half the people there were rooting for Chicago (heck, there's lots of cardinals fans that go to wrigley field). I don't recall any cubs fans getting ejected from the stadium. In fact I think the guys counting the money liked it even more since the place was packed.

@krunk4ever: I always thought it sounded like a pornographic term, i.e. I've bagged a lo of carpet in my day. I mean, if you can munch carpet, what do you put the leftovers in?

We got the tickets from the Chiefs fan's uncle who lived in the same county as the stadium and there's some deal where they get first dibs on the tickets -- 2 days in advance of the public.

Needless to say, there are three people sitting in a section FULL of Chief's fans and we had no problems at all even though we were quite intoxicated (drinking for three hours before the game in the parking lot). Lots of high fives and boo-ya's going around. Thank god our hotel was literally 2 blocks from the stadium.

Although there was plenty of trash talk and all that, no one in our group was detained as we were not rowdy. It was a good time.

I have a feeling that OP was one of the Raider's fans with the Legion of Doom style shoulder pads with the spikes and some ridiculous death mask. Maybe there is strength in numbers. I am sure that someone has to have a video of this as a lot of people's phones have video capability.

I listen to ESPN radio a couple hours a day and hopefully this will come up in the topic of discussion. It's better than hearing Mike Golic talk about how much he moves Brady Quinn.

I've never been to Raymond James Stadium, but I'd figure just about every NFL venue has the same rules for treating fans... and considering the NFL is a "travel friendly" sport (having only 1 game a week and plenty of visitor tickets), it's really unlikely that this is the whole story.

...& i ended up with better seats. =)

seriously though, the "contract" on the ticket gives them the right to do pretty much whatever they want.

(I do wonder if this is a Giants fan trying to score super bowl tickets from this years host stadium)

Also,
GO EAGLES!

You sound like a typical whinny Cubs fan. Suck it up and deal with it, or stick to watching games at your 'out door beer garden that smells like piss' stadium Wrigley Field.

Your comment fails to make much of a point. Or sense.

If another fan attempts to kick his ass, they should apprehend the other fan.

Saying he wasn't intoxicated DOES mean that he wasn't drinking. At least not to the point of it affecting his behavior. It also means he wasn't high.

Shouting, cursing, etc, is being verbally abusive. Even if you're not yelling at one particular person, it's abusive to anyone who can hear you if they're rightfully offended. If I tell you I fucked your mother, I'm being verbally abusive TO YOU.

Normally, you make funny and/or good posts. This one was just pure crap. You're picking nits when none exist.

I went to the Eagles Bucs game last year [the one where the Bucs won by tieing the longest field goal] and got so much flack.

We went with a friend who was a bucs fan and had 4 season tickets. He went through with his wife no problem my brother and I were stopped and asked why we had season ticket holder passes. Made up stand around for 15 minutes and then after all of that sent us to another gate because of our Eagles Jerseys. They would not allow my friend to leave and walk with us to the other gate.

After we got in we sat down in our seats clearly labeled on our tickets. Sat down and enjoyed the game...for the most part. Anytime we cheered or chanted "security" would come down and have a check at our tickets. When the Eagles went on top near the end of the game my brother and I were going crazy [It was my first game] and Security tried to remove us. We refused, we were paying customers and it was my first game no way I was leaving. We just ignored the guy though he stood there until the remainder of the game.

I'm sure it was as many have said here. One drunk idiot probably made the whole situation up and got you booted for no reason.

If no one has been to Tampa the stadium is surrounded by the largest pack of dirty rednecks. I've always lived in the south but these people were a new class of redneck.

I hope the OP gets an apology on top of a pile of cash.

The 'team' mentality has taken on an odly nationalistic attitude, where you can't even be American - you have to be a local Floridian, or local New Yorker or whatever.

We are dividing ourselves further with this lunacy.

If, however, what Steve said is true, he needs to look into hiring an attorney. Yes, technically speaking, tickets are licenses and you can be ejected without cause. But, that does NOT give stadium security the right to detain, search, or handcuff you. If, things are as Steve claims, the handcuffs, the frisking, and the 30 minute detention, are violations of his rights, and, if the handcuffing was done by private security personnel and not police officers, potentially criminal, as well.

Sports in general here in the Tampa area suck.

I've been fed up with the NFL for a long time and refuse to watch their games on TV (most are boring) and refuse to attend games in person. I'm boycotting them.

It started with wealthy NFL owners extorting communities for new stadiums, making themselves even richer.

Then the NFL systemically made the games even more boring through the stupid ("play is under review") challenge system and "excessive celebration".

Meanwhile, the zebras' quality is bad and getting worse.

I could go on and on how the NFL has ruined football for the fan. It's become the no fun league.

This is just another example of the NFLs arrogance. I'd be terribly surprised if the OP gets anything from the team or the NFL other than a letter saying to get lost.

[www.urbandictionary.com]

1. One who is somewhere they do not belong.
2. One who moved South after the Civil War to get rich. They take over all jobs, land, money, offices, and tell everyone how to live.
3. My neighbors. See "soccer mom" and "yuppie."

File a formal complaint with Raymond James, the Bucs, and the NFL. I'm a life-long Eagles fan, and love opposing fans attending road games. If the home team loses, the home town fans have nothing to get upset over with regard to the road fans. They should be upset at their team instead.

But anyway, I'd like to know some of the finer details of this story. It seemed like something was left out because I don't I understand how this guy would be kicked out for rooting for the other team. Either the NFL is really screwed up or Steve's actions were a little less innocent than we assume.

@icy_one: I was thinking this too, which is why I want to get more details on this one. Was there someone acting irrationally near the OP and security just assumed it was the opposing fan? Or maybe there was some jerk that was ragging on this guy for rooting for the Raiders and decided to make up a story to secuirty.

I just hope this guy gets some satisfaction. I can understand the stadiums want to minimize the potential for arguments and violence, but at what point do you just hit 'silly' on the scale of one to insane?

1) Some drunk guy was making a ruckus
2) A fan texted a complaint in about him
3) Drunk guy left for food or piss or something
4) Security shows up, sees guy celebrating
5) Rape.
6) ???
7) Profit

The Yankees said that the chains are merely meant to suggest that fans stay at their seats during those times and that the ushers will allow any fan who wishes to move around to do so, implying that the NYPD officers who ejected the atheist acted on their own initiative. Whatever, the possiblilty of having a run-in with rogue cops is enough to dissuade me from attending a Yankee home game again.

Either there's more to this story, or this guy has the best basis for a harassment suit against the team, the stadium, and the NFL that I've ever heard of!

I just don't get it... what ever happened to good sportsmanship and showing respect for others? It's a game, for goodness sakes! Can't there be respect and compassion for the love of the game, instead of devolving things into a violent civil war? (Note: I'm not against team spirit or cheering along... I'm against having that devolve into violence.)

All that said, (back on topic...) assuming all is disclosed in the original post, throwing someone out because they aren't supporting the right team is downright immature. I think the fair thing for them to do would be to refund the guy for his ticket if he wasn't causing a ruckus.

I second Youthier; I've never been to a sporting event where there wasn't somebody rooting against the home team.

@hmbddd:

I went to Tampa to root for th Eagles at a game, wearing a McNabb jersey and the fans around me treated me just fine.

Strangely, the only stadium I've ever encountered problems with fans was at an AZ Cardinals game. I never thought I'd be heckled by their loser fans!

/eagles fan

As a NJ native, I can tell you that I and some of my other compatriots here can be psycho one instant, and perfectly sane the next. I wonder if this wasn't done for his own good. I.E. someone said, if this guy doesn't stop, he's going to get his ass kicked by some other fan. I notice the wording is very specific. I was not intoxicated or found to be in possession of illegal narcotics. Not "I wasn't drinking" and "I wasn't high". Also, I was not being verbally or physically abusive to any other fans or players. No mention if he was shouting or cursing, just that it wasn't at people at the stadium or players. He could have said he had fornicated with the matriarch of someone there, which is not a fan there, but their mother. I can't wait to hear more/the other side.

@NovaloadMissesPolar: I wasn't blaming the OP. I specifically said that it was unlikely that he did something terribly out of bounds, signally that I thought the Bucs security more than likely overreacted.

I just think he omitted some of the details in his letter. Did he really allow himself to be arrested and kicked out of the stadium without once asking "What did I do?"

...what?

(I'm actually sympathetic to the guy, but there are some things you just don't do. You don't wear a Cowgirls jersey to an Eagles game unless you are a fan of pain and bleeding, and you don't tug on Superman's cape.)

In all seriousness, I have an inkling that there is a lot we're not hearing about here. I have a tough time believing he got ejected for wearing the wrong colors. Anything's possible, but I'd like to hear the other side. Surely there are extant surveillance tapes or other documentation at Tampa Bay's disposal regarding this incident.

i'd contact the team and the NFL

I agree that the letter seems coherent and polite but... opposing fans are at other stadiums all the time. I've visited Soldier Field to root for the Packers before and there was tons of good natured and not so good natured exchanges.

While it does seem unlikely that he was doing something terribly out of bounds, I feel like something has to be missing here.

fuck that. sue for 252 million like that nascar chick. this guy was treated worse. shit all over tampa

YOU'RE 'OUTTA HERE!

Seriously though, what a douchebag move. You don't like our team, so you don't belong here! The American way.

I'd be suing. NFL tickets aren't cheap.