It is a travesty that the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC championship win January 18, 2009 had to be marred by thousands of their fans’ rude behavior. What should have been a memorable experience has been forever sullied by those who feel that common rules of decency do not apply to them. Their conduct during such an event was reprehensible, incorrigible and unacceptable. Twice during the game, the Steelers’ organization broadcast announcements on the single huge viewing screen in the stadium urging fans to make it a “positive Heinz Field experience” for all fans. The announcement called for “integrity” and “respect for others”. Unfortunately, very few of their own fans heeded these words.
Among the offenses by the hometown:
• Physically assaulting fans (both male and female) of the opposing team
• Shouting obscenities and calling them names
• Making offensive gestures
• Cheering and singing when an opposing team’s player lay on the field injured
• Booing their own team when they were winning
These were not examples of a few rotten apples spoiling the bunch. No, this outrageous behavior was exhibited by the vast majority. The ones who did not make transgressions punishable by law did commit grievances that broke laws of dignity and courtesy. Male Ravens fans going to the restrooms were not allowed to relieve themselves unmolested. One Pittsburgh fan ceased his rude behavior only after being threatened with eviction for inappropriately touching a 16-year-old boy.
An extremely low number of locals did show a slight modicum of respectability by voluntarily switching seats with two Lady Ravens fans, who were being brutalized verbally and physically by the males and females around them. A security guard even recognized the physical danger they were in, but only acted when the game ended by escorting them out of the stadium.
Unsportsmanlike conduct like this is not tolerated in other stadiums where fans are respectable, such as Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins. All conduct in a bit of good-natured teasing of opposing team fans, but there was nothing, absolutely nothing remotely good-natured in and around Heinz Field Sunday night.
Steelers fans do not have respect for their own city. Parking lots were littered with trash and junk left over from the numerous tail-gating parties with no regard for trash cans.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a great football team and deserve the championship title and trip to the Super Bowl. But Big Ben and company also deserve much better fans.
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