Tackling fanaticism

Story: James Combs

It began with a little smack talk. Then the men found themselves face to face.

Insults were hurled, followed by a torrent of punches, kicks, and headbutts. The enraged combatants wrestled each other to the ground as curious onlookers used their cellphones to video the melee and make it go viral.

It’s what you’d expect to see in a heated rivalry game. Except, in this case, the violence was coming from the stands.

Fan fighting seems to be an increasingly growing problem these days inside collegiate and professional sports venues. Call me old school, but I have a problem when middleaged, beer-bellied men are providing more action eld. I use my hard-earned money to pay for my seats, and the last thing I want is for a horde of brawling dimwits to ruin the

Perhaps it’s time for me to start enjoying discuss the opioid epidemic or health-care crisis, two topics worthy of real passion. his early 20s over a second- security deal with them.

In most cases, it’s probably one of two things. First, the combination of 12 beers and a lackluster performance from the home team likely will exacerbate feelings of hostility. Second, the Chuck Norris-wannabe fan with all the freefloating rage spends the entire game looking for a target until he finds someone to take the bait.

The latter will strike at any moment, even when the game comes down to a last-second field goal with a trip to the college football playoffs or the Super Bowl on the line. Of course, moments before the most important play of the game is always an ideal time to start a fi Said no real fan, ever.

Look, sports venues are not the Wild West. We’re there to cheer our teams, not walk around clinking our boot spurs and twirling our six-shooters. Enjoy everything that makes being at a sporting event great: the mascots and cheerleaders, the wafting aroma of popcorn and hot dogs, the crowd cheers and the wave.

Don’t let the irritating, smack-talking guy sitting directly behind you or the obnoxious drunk a few rows down ruin what should be an enjoyable experience.