Philly PD Seek Flyers Fans in Postgame Fight

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by ABC News

Police in Philadelphia are seeking the public's help identifying three men involved in a fight between Flyers and Rangers fans outside a cheesesteak shop following Monday's Winter Classic hockey game.

Philadelphia police on Wednesday released an edited version of a YouTube video of the altercation, which ends with a Rangers fan lying stunned on the street.

Investigators say a man in a Flyers jersey is the main aggressor, throwing the first punch after a verbal dispute. Two other men join in the fight, which also involves a second Rangers fan.

Authorities say one victim needed stitches for his injuries. Family members tell WNBC-TV one victim is a Woodbridge Township, N.J. police officer and former Marine who served in Iraq.

Link here:

Philly PD Seek Flyers Fans in Postgame Fight - ABC News

Between that and Police: Phillies Fan Assaults, Vomits on Cop and Family, I have lost ALL respect for Philly sports fans. Yes, there are some good ones, but this is the last straw. I understand they are proud of their teams but there is NO excuse for taking it out on a fan.

Going to college in PA, I attended my share of Flyers games. I'm a Devils fan, but a hockey fan first. But I will NEVER don a Flyers jersey. At one of these games, I witnessed a bunch of drunks berate a 6 year old child wearing a Marty Brodeur jersey, JUST BECAUSE HE LIKED SOMEONE ON THE OTHER TIME. This is absurd.

[EricF]

This kind of behavior is not exclusive to Flyers fans. It happens far too often, in far too many cities, with every sport.

[tplyons]

Might just be me, but it seems rampant with Philly. They're a rival of every team of mine, but here in NJ, we're tolerant of other fans.

[Arranger]

I grew up outside Philly and the fans there are pretty bad. I'm not sure they're any worse than fanatics from other metro centers, but I wouldn't put anything past a mini swarm of the downtrodden.

If half those dunces would put half of their effort into anything commendable, this world full of hate would instantly turn on its axis and improve tremendously.

[steddy2112]

Originally Posted by EricF

This kind of behavior is not exclusive to Flyers fans. It happens far too often, in far too many cities, with every sport.

This.

I've been running around about a zillion forums trying to tell people this, but being a Philadelphia sports fan means I am already foaming at the mouth eathing whiz withouts too fast to understand how sports work

[steddy2112]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Might just be me, but it seems rampant with Philly. They're a rival of every team of mine, but here in NJ, we're tolerant of other fans.

ROFL

If you say so man.

In NNJ and around NYC, the Rangers or Devils could win the Cup and the Yankees could sign Todd Overthehill to a AA contract and the latter would be on the cover of the NY Daily News.

Tolerant?

If there's one thing Philly/NY/NJ fans can agree on it's:

We all hate Boston.

So stop and think about how tolerant you are of the Boston fans?

I am also sure there were no fights that broke out during the Giants/Jets games...lmao.

You go ANYWHERE wearing another team's colors and you're going to get hassled.

Even if the team sucks...the wifey to be is an O's season ticket holder and when the Yanks would come into town there was no tolerance.

And don't even get me started on Rutgers, or any other college...so before you start talking about being "holier than thou", stop being blind.

Devils fans aren't "mean" because even when they were in the mix they aren't and will never be as popular as teams like the Rangers and Flyers.

By all means I am not flipping out on you, but I've grown up in this area and know that Philadelphia will always have the reputation.

But anyone who has been to MSG, Camden Yards, the Verizon Center, Heinz Field, etc etc will clearly see that the home team always has bad blood against the away team.

[Strat-Mangler]

Liking the opposition team shouldn't be a welcome mat for becoming oppressed.

I went to a couple of Leafs games as I got free tickets and saw some people getting some ribbing, but it was all good-natured. You'd see the Leafs fans doing it with a smile and the guys getting ribbed would smile back and either laugh or throw a friendly jab about the Leafs to the fan.

Not one instance of anybody getting pissed, violent, or even verbally abusive. And no, I wasn't in the expensive seats but rather the "party" section up high.

The commentators calling the games I watch have mentioned on a couple of occasions that previewing the Flyers game are montages of fights and opposing players getting injured by Flyers players. That kind of reinforcement of violence can only lead to the public thinking this is acceptable behavior. Maybe the montages have changed recently, but that's what has been said (with disgust) by these commentators for the last few years... and I agree with that stance.

I've even seen a video of fans waiting for a subway after the game pushing, shoving, and verbal abusing a lone fan of the other team, to the point where it was incredibly palpable that it was going to degenerate into a full-blown physical beatdown. The outcast feels this and you can see his fear and he makes the smartest decision ever ; to leave the subway as fast as he can. I can only imagine how badly he would've been beaten in the closed confines of a subway car overtaken by a crowd of fans just itching to let somebody have it... just because they can and can get away with it.

[Chebass88]

It is absolutely disgusting.

It is JUST a game. This statement alone would probably earn a beating from some rabid sports 'fans'. But, at the end of the day, if your self-worth is tied to the performance of a bunch of over-paid athletes playing some kind of a game, there are other issues in your life.

[MJ5150]

I've been travelling around the country for years to attend NFL, NHL, NBA, and college football games. The kind of "fans" who get violent like this are usually not really fans of the team or the game, more like people who perhaps like the team but also like to fight and harass people.

For the record, I've been to Philly for NFL and NHL games and never had a problem with violent fans. Plenty of good natured harassment, which is cool by me.

-Mike

[Relic]

I've been all over and have seen many ignorant fans, but generally being fan of Philly teams myself, I'm freaking embarrassed by the especially pathetic behavior of some Philly fans. It's not like they do anything that other (bad) fans don't elsewhere, it just seems like there are so damn many of them. I mean you get a few bad apples in every bunch but Philly takes the cake in the sheer amount of them. I'm sick of it. I'm pretty much done with Philly teams.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Might just be me, but it seems rampant with Philly. They're a rival of every team of mine, but here in NJ, we're tolerant of other fans.

+1 -Absolutely true.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Should see what happens at Old Firm football (soccer) games here, (The 'Old Firm' are Rangers and Celtic).

It doesn't even have anything to do with football most of the time.

Rangers - Protestant, pro-Union
Celtic - Catholic, anti-Union, pro- Independence (generally for N.Ireland)

I will add, that even with the reputation, it is still a minority ruining it for the majority.


Edit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Firm

The competition between the two clubs has roots in more than just a simple sporting rivalry. It is infused with a series of complex disputes, sometimes centred on religion (Catholic and Protestant) and Northern Ireland-related politics (Loyalist and Republican). Another primary contributor to the intensity of the rivalry in the west of Scotland is that Rangers supporters are historically native Scots and Celtic supporters are historically Irish-Scots. While the confrontation between the two sets of supporters is often lablelled as 'Sectarianism', 'Native-Immigrant tension' is an equally accurate catalyst for hostility between the two teams' supports in Scotland. Rangers' traditional support was largely from the Protestant community, while Celtic's was largely from those of Irish Roman Catholic backgrounds. One effect is that Scottish flags are rarer than might be expected amongst both sets of supporters; Celtic fans are more likely to wave the Irish tricolour while Rangers fans tend to wave the Union Flag.

The ferocity of the rivalry has made it rare for a player to represent both teams during his career. Players who have played for both sides of the Old Firm include Alex Bennett, Scott Duncan, Robert Campbell, and George Livingstone, who all played before the intensity of the rivalry had started prior to 1912, as well as later players: Alfie Conn, Maurice Johnston, Kenny Miller, Steven Pressley and Mark Brown.

In 1980, opposing fans fought an on-pitch battle in the aftermath of Celtic's 1–0 victory in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden. This remains one of the worst invasions onto a football pitch ever reported, and was instrumental in alcohol being banned from football grounds in Scotland.

There was serious fan disorder during an Old Firm match played in May 1999 at Celtic Park, as several missiles were thrown by Celtic fans, one of which struck referee Hugh Dallas, forcing the game to be stopped while he received medical treatment. At least four Celtic fans invaded the field of play to confront Dallas during the game, and more missiles were thrown at players on the pitch after the game. Since the events of that day, Old Firm league matches have normally been played in the early afternoon and the possibility of an Old Firm title decider has been deliberately avoided.

The Old Firm rivalry fuels many assaults on Old Firm Derby days, and some deaths in the past have been directly related to the aftermath of Old Firm matches. An activist group that monitors sectarian activity in Glasgow has reported that on Old Firm weekends, violent attacks increase ninefold over normal levels. An increase in domestic abuse can also be attributed to Old Firm fixtures. A freedom of information request found that Strathclyde Police incurred costs of £2.4 million for the seven derbies played during the 2010–11 season, with the clubs only contributing £0.3 million towards that. Other high profile games involving Rangers and Celtic incurred much lower costs. The reason for the disparity in costs and the contribution made is that Strathclyde Police has to increase its activity elsewhere in Glasgow and beyond, while the clubs are only responsible for costs incurred in the vicinity of their stadium.

[bassguppy]

since drunken, unruly Philly fans will back down and flee without a numbers advantage just take it to the next level.

When you're outnumbered just give them a whack across the back of the knee with this.





The sheer horror will paralyze them with fear.



i do not advocate violence but when you need to defend yourself, family, or friends...

[Bass_Thumper]

It's really a shame. I'm a huge sports fan but I'm not going to see a home game for the Dodgers, Raiders and now Flyers. Nobody needs to think about if they're going to be physically harmed for just going to an event. I agree with another poster, these folks are just people looking for a reason to fight anyway. I'm a huge Saints fan (I'm originally from MS which is Saints country) but it never crosses my mind to get nasty with a Falcons fan. The problem is when this behavior is not checked and it's allowed to grow into a culture which you now have in LA and Oakland. It needed to be checked a long time ago and nobody did anything about it. Now they have a real problem on their hands.

[Southpaw5]

Originally Posted by steddy2112

If there's one thing Philly/NY/NJ fans can agree on it's:

We all hate Boston.

Hate all you want guys!


Go Bruins!

[Febs]

Originally Posted by EricF

This kind of behavior is not exclusive to Flyers fans. It happens far too often, in far too many cities, with every sport.

Exactly.

This is not my article but I agree with its sentiment:

There Are Bad Fans Everywhere | PlayerPress.com - Sports Commentary, News, Rumors, Blogs, Photos, Videos by Pro Athletes and Fans

[ssbass]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Link here:

Philly PD Seek Flyers Fans in Postgame Fight - ABC News

Between that and Police: Phillies Fan Assaults, Vomits on Cop and Family, I have lost ALL respect for Philly sports fans. Yes, there are some good ones, but this is the last straw. I understand they are proud of their teams but there is NO excuse for taking it out on a fan.

Going to college in PA, I attended my share of Flyers games. I'm a Devils fan, but a hockey fan first. But I will NEVER don a Flyers jersey. At one of these games, I witnessed a bunch of drunks berate a 6 year old child wearing a Marty Brodeur jersey, JUST BECAUSE HE LIKED SOMEONE ON THE OTHER TIME. This is absurd.

Jersey, Americas armpit... GO FLYERS!

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by Febs

Exactly.

This is not my article but I agree with its sentiment:

There Are Bad Fans Everywhere | PlayerPress.com - Sports Commentary, News, Rumors, Blogs, Photos, Videos by Pro Athletes and Fans

Fair enough, but he failed to mention the copious amounts of stories about Philly.

Just remember the fact that both the Vet and the Linc had stadium jails for a reason. I don't know of any other arena or stadium in the US with it's own jail cells.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by ssbass

Jersey, Americas armpit... GO FLYERS!

Still...I'd rather be the armpit than the rectum.

[Bassman316]

Well, like the saying goes, a few bad apples spoil the bunch. Of course a bunch of drunk a-holes starting a brawl at a cheesesteak joint is going to make news. I don't think it's cool to beat the hell out of someone just for wearing another team's jersey... But, at the same time, I don't think the type of people that keep making news for beating people up or really bad behavior at games should be made to represent Philly fans as a whole. If most fans in Philadelphia were this rowdy, they'd bring back the jail at the Linc and put jails at the Bank and Wells Fargo Center, too.

On a side note, I was actually surprised how tame the crowd was at the Linc when we went back in October. Granted, it was the infamous San Fran debacle, but even before the game, there were Niners fans walking around in full garb, and hardly anything was said to them at all. Even at the tailgate...