Mean Machine
Waterboy
The following is a letter I sent on Monday, October 6 to the Texans, SMG and CSC:
"I need to inform you of a very troubling event that occurred in yesterdays game(10/5/08) at Reliant Stadium that concerns me a great deal. With the start of the 4th quarter and the Texans playing great, a large number of us in Section 637, were doing our best to be the Homefield Advantage. Yes, we are all season ticket holders, myself driving in for every home game from Round Rock, TX since 2002.
We were yelling and screaming and were using the bud and bud light aluminum bottles as noise makers. We were banging them together, banging them on the concrete and banging them on the heavy metal pipe rail in the aisle. At NO time were these aluminum bottles being used against the stadium seating nor were they being thrown or tossed in the air. We were doing this when the Colts offense was on the field and Manning was making his calls at the line. We were being fans.
With approximately 8 minutes remaining in the game, five(5)uniformed and armed Houston Police Department officers ran up the stairs and approached our group. They then began to question one of the folks in our section, asked for his ticket stub, and then wrote down his section row and seat. They said that any more banging of the cans would result in his revocation of his season ticket and removal from the premises. There was absolutely no previous warning whatsoever from anyone from Reliant, the Texans, HPD, or SMG.
I am not sure what exactly the Texans, the HPD and SMG is trying to accomplish with such a brute show of force for something as truly innocent as fans being fans. This group of fans was 100% appropriate, making noise, at the correct times, there was no illegal behavior, no irresponsible behavior, no cursing and bad language, no thrown objects, no failure to follow instructions and no inappropriate yelling at Colts fans. Nothing that could be seen as a violation of the new NFL Fan Code of Conduct:
Fan code of conduct
"The National Football League and its teams are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all fans, both in the stadium and in the parking lot. We want all fans attending our games to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. When attending a game, you are required to refrain from the following behaviors:
» 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).
» Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.
» Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans.
"Event patrons are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats. Stadium staff will promptly intervene to support an environment where event patrons, their guests, and other fans can enjoy the event free from the above behavior. Event patrons and guests who violate these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games."
At this time, I need clarification as to what exactly the Texans are wanting from their fans. We have and exciting group of folks up in section 637, so much so, that on several occasions, I know fans who join us from lower levels because of the fun and the getting into the game we do in this section.
The threat imposed by five armed HPD officers is completely out of line and must be addressed. My 13 year old son, was absolutley horrified, as was I and the folks around us at such an extreme response to something as simple as supporting our team.
I am asking for you to please give me some clarity on this event and why the absolute over reaction, and to what type of recourse, we as fans have, as the paying customer should this situation ever again occur.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you."
I spoke today(Thu Oct 9) to Holly Schweitzer, the event service coordinator for the Texans. She explained to me that someone in our section, a season ticket holder, went down to the concourse and told the HPD about the noise we were making. Therefore, who knows what this fan told the police and therefore the response of 5 officers as they were not sure what they were getting into. That I can now understand. Obviously, the fan who complained could have gone to one of the guest relations folks stationed along the concourse but went straight for the HPD, and hence, the response. No fault for HPD on this.
Holly went on to say how much she appreciated our enthusiasm but the violation was that we interfered with the gameday experience of another 'fan' and that banging 2 empty beer cans together is considered a 'noise maker' and those are not allowed at NFL games.
So, what to make of this? Banging cans together is out. And just be aware of those around you at all times.....you just never know.....
Be Early.
Wear Red, White or Blue!
Be Loud.
Go Texans!
"I need to inform you of a very troubling event that occurred in yesterdays game(10/5/08) at Reliant Stadium that concerns me a great deal. With the start of the 4th quarter and the Texans playing great, a large number of us in Section 637, were doing our best to be the Homefield Advantage. Yes, we are all season ticket holders, myself driving in for every home game from Round Rock, TX since 2002.
We were yelling and screaming and were using the bud and bud light aluminum bottles as noise makers. We were banging them together, banging them on the concrete and banging them on the heavy metal pipe rail in the aisle. At NO time were these aluminum bottles being used against the stadium seating nor were they being thrown or tossed in the air. We were doing this when the Colts offense was on the field and Manning was making his calls at the line. We were being fans.
With approximately 8 minutes remaining in the game, five(5)uniformed and armed Houston Police Department officers ran up the stairs and approached our group. They then began to question one of the folks in our section, asked for his ticket stub, and then wrote down his section row and seat. They said that any more banging of the cans would result in his revocation of his season ticket and removal from the premises. There was absolutely no previous warning whatsoever from anyone from Reliant, the Texans, HPD, or SMG.
I am not sure what exactly the Texans, the HPD and SMG is trying to accomplish with such a brute show of force for something as truly innocent as fans being fans. This group of fans was 100% appropriate, making noise, at the correct times, there was no illegal behavior, no irresponsible behavior, no cursing and bad language, no thrown objects, no failure to follow instructions and no inappropriate yelling at Colts fans. Nothing that could be seen as a violation of the new NFL Fan Code of Conduct:
Fan code of conduct
"The National Football League and its teams are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all fans, both in the stadium and in the parking lot. We want all fans attending our games to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. When attending a game, you are required to refrain from the following behaviors:
» 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).
» Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.
» Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans.
"Event patrons are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats. Stadium staff will promptly intervene to support an environment where event patrons, their guests, and other fans can enjoy the event free from the above behavior. Event patrons and guests who violate these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games."
At this time, I need clarification as to what exactly the Texans are wanting from their fans. We have and exciting group of folks up in section 637, so much so, that on several occasions, I know fans who join us from lower levels because of the fun and the getting into the game we do in this section.
The threat imposed by five armed HPD officers is completely out of line and must be addressed. My 13 year old son, was absolutley horrified, as was I and the folks around us at such an extreme response to something as simple as supporting our team.
I am asking for you to please give me some clarity on this event and why the absolute over reaction, and to what type of recourse, we as fans have, as the paying customer should this situation ever again occur.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you."
I spoke today(Thu Oct 9) to Holly Schweitzer, the event service coordinator for the Texans. She explained to me that someone in our section, a season ticket holder, went down to the concourse and told the HPD about the noise we were making. Therefore, who knows what this fan told the police and therefore the response of 5 officers as they were not sure what they were getting into. That I can now understand. Obviously, the fan who complained could have gone to one of the guest relations folks stationed along the concourse but went straight for the HPD, and hence, the response. No fault for HPD on this.
Holly went on to say how much she appreciated our enthusiasm but the violation was that we interfered with the gameday experience of another 'fan' and that banging 2 empty beer cans together is considered a 'noise maker' and those are not allowed at NFL games.
So, what to make of this? Banging cans together is out. And just be aware of those around you at all times.....you just never know.....
Be Early.
Wear Red, White or Blue!
Be Loud.
Go Texans!