This is the best news I've heard all day. The drunkeness at FedEx Field is really starting to ruin the game-day experience for me. If this code of conduct puts a stop to it, or at least a serious dent, I'll be one very happy football fan.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-08-05-fan-code-of-conduct_N.htmThe National Football League is set to unveil its first "Fan Code of Conduct" for patrons in its stadiums and parking lots, USA TODAY learned Tuesday.
According to a copy of the code, obtained by USA TODAY, drunk and "disruptive" fans can be ejected from stadiums or parking lots without refund — and stripped of their season tickets. The same goes for fans who verbally or physically harass other fans, use obscene language or gestures or interfere with the game by throwing objects onto the field. Fans who become drunk or unruly during pregame tailgating will not be allowed into stadiums.
"We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can — from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday. "We want everyone to be able to come to our stadiums and enjoy the entire day."
The NFL's 32 clubs will be charged with implementing and enforcing the code, McCarthy said. That will give teams the opportunity to add their own rules to the league's code. All NFL clubs are expected to spell out the rules to season ticket-holders and fans through news releases, mailings and stadium-area signs and announcements. Each club will have a front-office employee designated as being in charge of the policy.
The nation's most popular pro league attracted 17.3 million fans to regular-season games during the 2007 season, with an average per-game attendance of 67,755. Both were all-time records. The NFL began looking at a code of behavior after hearing a growing number of fan complaints about their experience at games, Commissioner Roger Goodell said at a league meeting on May 20.
The rules say season ticket holders and others fans are not only responsible for their own behavior but for that of guests or anybody else occupying their seats. "Event patrons and guests who violate these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games," states the code.
McCarthy said patrons could lose season tickets for the remainder of a given season and be barred from purchasing them again "depending on the severity of their actions." He said clubs will be allowed to decide whether to refund money for unused tickets of fans disciplined under the policy.
Among the possible transgressions leading to ejection or loss of season tickets, according to the code:
•"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)."
•"Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans."
•"Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel."
Some NFL clubs may end up hiring additional security personnel to enforce the rules, said McCarthy.
Goodell rolled out a new "Personal Conduct Policy" for the 1,800 or so NFL players, plus coaches, team and league employees in April 2007.
