It comes down to the fans...this is an article in the Pioneer Press (http://www.pioneerplanet.com). Interesting stuff... When it comes to greeting fans of opposing teams, Philadelphia may not be quite as advertised ? the city of brotherly love. Plenty of tickets are available for the Minnesota Vikings' second-round playoff game against the Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, in part because verbal and even physical abuse clearly await Vikings fans, some travel professionals said Wednesday. Their advice: If you go to the game, skip the Vikings clothing or other team regalia. They could be hazardous to your health. "Don't look like a Vikings fan if you want to enjoy the game, and value your safety and possessions,'' said Steve Erban, who runs Creative Charters in Stillwater. "The stadium is beyond civilization.'' Erban said when he brought Green Bay Packers fans to Philadelphia for a playoff game last year, Eagles fans pelted them and him with coins and beer bottles and tried to knock them down in the aisles. "Any time they scored a touchdown, you got bathed,'' Erban said. "I witnessed a Packer plastic helmet, worn by a woman, taken off her head, and then they pounced on it and broke it into pieces. All of that is a staple.'' Michael Nowakowski, a partner in the Ticket King agency in Hudson, Wis., offered a similar but less-scathing critique. "Philadelphia fans have a bad reputation. They take it a little too seriously. It's almost scary if you wear the colors of the visiting team,'' he said. For the safety reason and others, numerous tickets are available through some ticket agencies and tour companies, who buy the seats from season-ticket holders and sell them at higher prices. "We've sold a couple of dozen tickets, from $245 to $850 a ticket,'' said Nowakowski, adding that the number is low for a playoff game. Last week, for the playoff game against the Packers in Green Bay, Ticket King "probably sold 10 times as many tickets,'' said Nowakowski's partner, Brian Obert. "It's so much easier for people to get to Green Bay than to Philly, and then there's the natural rivalry,'' he said. But the Ticket King partners said there are other reasons why the count is low. "Vikings fans are generally not good travelers,'' Nowakowski said. "We sell more tickets to people in Montana who are Vikings fans who want to come to Minnesota than to Minnesota fans who want to go out of town. The exceptions are Bears and Packers games. But if this game was being played in a warm climate, there'd be a lot more interest in going to the game and going on a vacation and sitting on the beach.'' At Creative Charters, "we're taking a small group, under 20 people, but we had more negative e-mail from people telling us why they won't go to Philadelphia,'' Erban said. "This is the only game that almost nobody will go to.'' If the Vikings win, he said he expects 100 to 200 fans wanting to book trips to the next round, in Atlanta or St. Louis. But Dennis Garrity, who runs Vikings Fan Tours, based in Ashwaubenon, Wis., said that despite the reputation of Eagles fans, "orders are still coming in. We're arranging for 250, but there might be 350 or 400. "Fans there are kind of aggressive and not always the friendliest, but it's not like risking your life,'' Garrity said. Eagles spokeswoman Doris Howe said the criticisms are off base. "We would refute that allegation absolutely 100 percent,'' she said. "Eagles fans definitely are passionate, no argument about that. But folks here in Philadelphia are friendly, and we certainly welcome anyone, any time, to enjoy football games here. "Our reports are that it's a fun venue."
That's such crap. I have been to numerous Eagles games in Philly, and those stories are the exception not the rule. I went to Dallas to watch Eagles-Cowboys on MNF, and I saw a Cowboys fan throw a beer at an Eagles fan, and got carried away by the security for doing so. It happendes everywhere, and Eagles fans are great fans. If you want to sit there and just watch the game, then do it at home. If you want to come to a stadium and cheer on your team, it gets to better then here.
I want to go up there in my team's colors and WISH somebody lay a hand on me! Like Ced' said, "I WISH not HOPE" I honestly wouldn't be afraid - I know how to defend myself. One of those fat buffons would get a bottle cracked upside the head if they even tried it.
When I went to Philly earlier this year, April or May, I think, with the NFC Championship loss still fresh in their minds, I wore several Panthers shirts and hats...I had several locals tell me not to try that anywhere other than the hotel area of town, and that if I wore any of it to the stadium during a game, someone would attempt to remove me, by force, from my chosen attire...certainly doesn't sound like they are great fans to me...sounds more like thugs who have no respect for the rights of others...and I know that there are only a few bad apples, but I find it amazing that in Philly, the bad apples just magically appear in the same area where opposing teams fans happen to be sitting
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SoCal Falcon)</div><div class='quotemain'>I want to go up there in my team's colors and WISH somebody lay a hand on me! Like Ced' said, "I WISH not HOPE" I honestly wouldn't be afraid - I know how to defend myself. One of those fat buffons would get a bottle cracked upside the head if they even tried it.</div> Im gonna guess by that statement that you are a teenager and think you are indestructable....thats natural, I once thought that as well....by the way, the toughest S.O.B.s in history had a limit on how many they could fight and win and it sure as hell was less than 60,000....since you are no where near a legandary scrapper, I would imagine your tune would change a bit when a shower of 9-volts greeted you....
Viking fan, let me give a quick story: in the fall of 2003, I took my wife and and another couple to Lambeau to watch the Packer-Eagles game on Monday night (17-13 Philly in some miserable weather). I had choice seats, 50 yard line which I would assume is around all of the oldest Packer season ticket holders due to the location. The couple I brought with was die-hard Packer fans just to set the picture for you. I know when I'm among Packer nation or any other fan base to keep things toned down throughout the game like not stand and go nuts on every Philly first down. Even with my calm demeanor, I had food thrown at me the entire game no matter what the outcome of the play was. After McNabb won it in the final seconds, on the way out of the ramp, Packer fans verbally assaulted my wife saying that they were going to rape her because she had a McNabb jersey on that I made her wear. She could care less about the game, she only went to have a good time like all of us. She will never again go to another game (not neccesarily a bad thing). My point is, the media says that these are the most polite fans in the world and how sincere they are, yet, I beg to differ. Every stadium in the NFL is the same, there will always be assholes at every venue. Don't single out Philly fans. The "so-called" best place to watch a game wasn't fun for me. I work with Packer fans daily here in Wisconsin and they have told me some stories about the Metrodome as well. Don't always believe whats in print....
I've been to the Linc 4 times since it opened, and used to have season tickets at the Vet. I have not seen anyone physically attack an outside fan without being provoked. Maybe you will hear "asshole" chants, but if you want physical you should look at Cleveland fans that threw the bottles on the field.
PLease for ever Eagles AHOLE there is a *insert name* AHOLE, I have gone to hockey games at Devils stadium ( I AM A RANGERS FAN) ANd we have worn tons of Rangers stuff. As long as you dont mess with someone they wont mess with you.... at least when i went. LOL. An image of a whole bunch of devil fans running over a flyers Lindros jersey just popped into my head. Bednarik: Man i feel for ya bro, there are those fans and its a shame that your wife was threatened. I'm not sure what i would do at that situation.
Well if you don't like the home team, then get the hell out of the stadium. Anyway, I've been to alot of Eagles games and I really feel sorry for people that think they're gonna get jumped because they have a different jersey (ok maybe a Dallas jersey ). This is just another case of people over reacting. The fans are a bit over the top sometimes, but get over it. It's not like we're the only fans with stains on our records (coughclevelandcough).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SoCal Falcon)</div><div class='quotemain'>I want to go up there in my team's colors and WISH somebody lay a hand on me! Like Ced' said, "I WISH not HOPE" I honestly wouldn't be afraid - I know how to defend myself. One of those fat buffons would get a bottle cracked upside the head if they even tried it.</div> Im gonna guess by that statement that you are a teenager and think you are indestructable....thats natural, I once thought that as well....by the way, the toughest S.O.B.s in history had a limit on how many they could fight and win and it sure as hell was less than 60,000....since you are no where near a legandary scrapper, I would imagine your tune would change a bit when a shower of 9-volts greeted you....</div> Actually, I am a 32-year old woman and quite the scrapper I'd still talk trash to any fool(s) who tried to shower me with a bunch of batteries. No way would I be intimidated because of what I was wearing - that is asinine; however, it could be the crazy Marine in me speaking on my behalf, yet again.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Giantsfan1)</div><div class='quotemain'>PLease for ever Eagles AHOLE there is a *insert name* AHOLE, I have gone to hockey games at Devils stadium ( I AM A RANGERS FAN) ANd we have worn tons of Rangers stuff. As long as you dont mess with someone they wont mess with you.... at least when i went. LOL. An image of a whole bunch of devil fans running over a flyers Lindros jersey just popped into my head. Bednarik: Man i feel for ya bro, there are those fans and its a shame that your wife was threatened. I'm not sure what i would do at that situation.</div> Yeah it sucked. I did the only thing you can, put on the alcoholic cape and hope to God someone breaks it up fast if I start losing! Actually there was a small squirmish but my buddy is a Federal agent and pulled the badge and they took off. I know not all Packer fans act like this, I just wanted to point out that those peole are in EVERY stadium.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SoCal Falcon)</div><div class='quotemain'>Actually, I am a 32-year old woman and quite the scrapper </div> That explains it, if theres one that trumps a different colored jersey, its hitting a woman....someone slugs me at a Eagles game and 1000 fans move in for the kill, someone slugs you and a 1000 drunks try to avenge it....
Wow, I certainly did not expect this reaction. I know that every stadium has their bad apples. My wife and I went to a Vikings/Bears game. Being that she is from Chicago, she went wearing Chicago stuff. Even there when she was with me she got heckled. Nothing major, but it was there all the same. Is Philly worse than the rest? They definitely have the reputation. I have also been hearing about reports of people who are trying to get fans to bring batteries to the game this weekend to throw at Moss. What's funny is that a lot of the broadcasters are believing it. The fact is, Philly has a reputation for having obnoxious fans (not every Philly fan is obnoxious, but some Philly fans give them a reputation) and it seems to be backed up with plenty of material.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vikingfan)</div><div class='quotemain'>Wow, I certainly did not expect this reaction. I know that every stadium has their bad apples. My wife and I went to a Vikings/Bears game. Being that she is from Chicago, she went wearing Chicago stuff. Even there when she was with me she got heckled. Nothing major, but it was there all the same. Is Philly worse than the rest? They definitely have the reputation. I have also been hearing about reports of people who are trying to get fans to bring batteries to the game this weekend to throw at Moss. What's funny is that a lot of the broadcasters are believing it. The fact is, Philly has a reputation for having obnoxious fans (not every Philly fan is obnoxious, but some Philly fans give them a reputation) and it seems to be backed up with plenty of material.</div> I am liking your wife a lot now. If only she would rub off on you. Here is what i am seeing NFL-Bears Forums. . . eh?
Sorry, that was a couple of years ago. She is pretty much completely converted to a Vikings fan...she even knows how to be a good pessimist!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SoCal Falcon)</div><div class='quotemain'>Actually, I am a 32-year old woman and quite the scrapper </div> That explains it, if theres one that trumps a different colored jersey, its hitting a woman....someone slugs me at a Eagles game and 1000 fans move in for the kill, someone slugs you and a 1000 drunks try to avenge it....</div> Being a woman has its benefits during a melee...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Eagles4Life)</div><div class='quotemain'>That's such crap. I have been to numerous Eagles games in Philly, and those stories are the exception not the rule. I went to Dallas to watch Eagles-Cowboys on MNF, and I saw a Cowboys fan throw a beer at an Eagles fan, and got carried away by the security for doing so. It happendes everywhere, and Eagles fans are great fans. If you want to sit there and just watch the game, then do it at home. If you want to come to a stadium and cheer on your team, it gets to better then here.</div> Yet another article showing the abuse Eagle's fans dish out. I can't believe they threw beer bottles at one of the player's mothers. Classless. Vikings fans take a beating in Philly, too Paul Levy, Star Tribune January 17, 2005 PHILLY0117 ? ? PHILADELPHIA -- Rough game. But maybe a rougher crowd. The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 27-14 Sunday -- ending the Vikings' playoff hopes and season. But all the mother of Vikings lineman Chris Liwienski could talk about was how she and her family were physically abused by fans in the upper deck of Lincoln Financial Field. Wearing one of her son's purple Vikings jerseys, Marie Hoppe said she was pushed repeatedly by hostile Philadelphia fans. Her daughter-in-law, Christina Liwienski, said she was hit in the head by a plastic beer bottle. "We were warned that Philadelphia fans would be rough, the worst in the league, and my son begged me not to wear this jersey," said Hoppe, of suburban Detroit. "Fans are supposed to come to games, not thugs. But these people had their hands on me constantly. "What are these people doing at sporting events like this?" The announced crowd of 67,722 seemed determined to enhance a well-earned reputation as the National Football League's crudest. But the Eagles -- the top seed and class of the National Football Conference -- didn't really need any extra help against a Vikings team that finished the season 9-9 and looked every bit like the conference's lowest playoff seed. With Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb dissecting the Minnesota secondary early and passing for two touchdowns, and facing a tough Philadelphia defense, the Vikings looked very much like a team that lost four of its final five regular season games and not like a team that upset the Packers in Green Bay in the playoffs' first round. "Giving up 21 points in the first half doesn't help," Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said. Obnoxious and hostile The Vikings offered their fans hope when quarterback Daunte Culpepper's 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter cut the Eagles' lead to 14-7. "We still have a chance," Marie Hoppe said during the third quarter. But she and her family had long given up on the Eagles fans. Joe Liwienski, Chris' 22-year-old brother, said he attended the "basketbrawl" game in Auburn Hills, Mich., where members of the Indiana Pacers exchanged punches with Detroit Pistons fans. "This was 10 times worse," he said. "The fans were obnoxious," Chris Liwienski said from the Vikings locker room. "They were chanting stuff to Randy [Moss] throughout the game. You expect that, but you don't expect them to abuse people in the stands trying to enjoy the game." The few fans who came to the game wearing Vikings purple were greeted by a boisterous and hostile crowd that began sharpening their fangs in parking lots near the stadium at 6 a.m., presumably stirring their alcoholic beverages with rusty nails. Mike Hughes, 39, of Excelsior, wearing a purple Randy Moss jersey on his back and his heart on his sleeve, walked right through the Eagles crowd that hurled obscenities and promised to throw even more at him. "Batteries," he said. "They're threatening to throw batteries. "I went to all but three Vikings road games this year," Hughes said. "I can tell you that Green Bay is nothing like this." Scott Bain, 33, also wearing a Moss jersey, said he "never felt so lonely" as he walked briskly through a parking lot crowded with Eagles fans chanting obscenities and holding "Jacksonville or Bust" signs. "We had upper deck seats, but we got so many warnings about what might happen to us that we sold them and bought club level seats on the street," said Bain, formerly of Anoka and now a lawyer in Washington, D.C. "We were told it was safer there." Said Steve Beckman, 47, of New Brighton, in a well-worn (but not yet battered) Moss jersey: "They warned us not to wear this attire, but we didn't listen. I even rode the subway here. "They told us that if the Vikings win, we'd better take a cab home, for our own protection." "We still better watch out for batteries," said Jimmy Bahnson, 22, of Fridley, wearing a Culpepper jersey. Philadelphia, which has lost the three previous conference title games, will try again next Sunday against Atlanta. "How many disappointments can Philadelphia fans take?" asked John Groses, 74, of Media, Pa. "This city's been through hell with its sports teams," said Tom Jones, of Milton, Del., whose bus is painted Eagles green, has Eagles logos in every window and has become a pregame meeting place for Eagles cheerleaders, fans and anyone looking for a photo opportunity or to commiserate. "We gear ourselves up for these games, but the worst has happened so many times." The worst happened in the upper deck, in the corner of the end zone, Chris Liwienski said. "I tried to warn them," he said of his family. "It's like these fans have hit a new low." Paul Levy is at plevy@startribune.com.
