There are good manners and rules of etiquette even in the game of football. Well, in watching the game of football! Good manners while cheering on your favorite team will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
10 Tips for Football Fan Etiquette
1. Take off your hat for the national anthem. Take a moment to show your respect by removing your baseball cap. Both ladies and men follow the same rule regarding sports hats.
2. Please take your seat. The crowd may leap to its feet for an incredible touchdown play, and by all means join them, however, don’t forget to sit back down. Take a cue from those around you: if hundreds of others directly adjacent to you are standing, feel free to stand. If no one else around you is standing, stay seated. The people behind you came to see the game, not your rear end. If you must stand, excuse yourself to the upper levels where there are others who are standing too.
3. Keep your voice down to a roar. There are your true football fans, and there are those who simply get caught up in the excitement of the event. If your main goal is to see and be seen, be considerate — don’t get up and down out of your seat repeatedly to go visit friends across the aisle. Don’t irritate those around you with constant chatter or cell phone calls where you have to yell into the phone to be heard on the other end.
4. The referee doesn’t care. Screaming at the top of your lungs will only rattle those around you. Remember, throughout football history, the refs have never reversed a call after being corrected by a screaming fan.
5. Never chest bump a stranger. There are many reasons to avoid this, but suffice it to say, not much good can come from this, especially if you are opposite genders. A high five would be a good alternate.
6. Monitor your booing. The younger the players, the less acceptable the boo. That means if you’re booing at a Pop Warner game, you should be ejected and boo’ d off the bleachers.
7. Drink responsibly. There are many good reasons to do this, but let me point out a few key ones: you’re in tight quarters with strangers who will not appreciate you spilling beer on them, falling on them, yelling into their ears, or squeezing in and out of the aisle repeatedly for frequent bathroom visits.
8. PG-13 language is still debatable. Remember, you’re in a public place; no one wants to hear you scream obscenities at the opposing team.
9. Dress for occasion. In much of the country the weather will still be fairly warm, if not downright hot, as football season begins. Before packing yourself into the stands with thousands of other fans, dress for the occasion. Ladies, the stadium with its steep steps may not be the place for those platform wedge sandals. Fellas, even if your outfit consists of shorts, a rainbow wig and body paint, put a little deodorant on and bring a towel to avoid sweating on your neighbors. It’s gonna be a long game.
10. Have fun! Football season only comes once a year, so enjoy it. Just follow a few rules of basic courtesy to make sure those around you enjoy it too.
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