Why One NFL Stadium Will Have Undercover Cops Dressed as Opposing Fans

This is a fantastic idea to discourage potential assaults on opposing fans.

The Seattle Seahawks are taking an interesting approach to cracking down on unruly fans this NFL season.

The team announced Thursday that "undercover law enforcement officers will wear opposing team jerseys at home games this season in an effort to quickly detect guests violating the fan code of conduct."

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European football clubs could take a lesson on this strategy.

I like it!

Living in Baltimore for a while, I'd go to Camden Yards every chance I'd get to watch my beloved Orioles, and the games when the Yankees came to town would be insane. Some 10,000 New Yorkers would head on down and there would be fights, so many fights.

In a rare turn of events, I have found a police strategy that I am both morally in agreement with, and that I think has at least some chance of success.

Wussies, they need to show up at an Eagles game decked out in Washington or Dallas kit!

In 1987 I was a season ticket holder with the SF Giants when they were at Candlestick Park, so I attended the playoff games there vs the St. Louis Cardinals. I spent time keeping older Cards fans safe from the $%(*@#$ local buttwipes who tried to push them around. Park security was too busy eating hot dogs I guess, cuz none of them were out walking the corridors.

At face value, this sounds like a merging of corporate and state power.

The team announced Thursday that “undercover law enforcement officers will wear opposing team jerseys at home games this season in an effort to quickly detect guests violating the fan code of conduct... Law enforcement and Lumen Field event staff will proactively intervene to support an environment where all fans can enjoy the game,”
Among the “unruly behavior” that undercover officers will be looking out for are over-intoxication, offensive language or obscene gestures, game interference, smoking and verbal or physical harassment.

Question: why are there undercover officers looking for violations of stadium policy? Are they prosecuting people for "offensive language", or expelling them from the stadium as a private entity?

This sounds like it will rapidly become a hated little Basij, one way or the other - the question is just how far they can go in terms of violating people's rights, in the name of protecting NFL owners.

OTOH, people may not be able to get a ticket anyway due to so many undercover cops watching every game ... and, supposedly, one another.

bythoughts said:

Question: why are there undercover officers looking for violations of stadium policy? Are they prosecuting people for "offensive language", or expelling them from the stadium as a private entity?

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I think there's two concepts at play here.

If the fan breaks the law they get arrested.

If they violate the team's code of conduct the cop helpfully shows them the nearest exit and informs them they are trespassed from the property.

Both of those actions are things that cops at the venue would already be doing.

Cutting down the amount of time that fans can get lubed up in the parking lot before games, would go a long way to improving behavior.

I just think they're saying they're going to do this, but not really do it. Nobody will know the difference. It's just a deterrent.

Rexedgar said:

Cutting down the amount of time that fans can get lubed up in the parking lot before games, would go a long way to improving behavior.

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Tailgating is part of the experience. Can't cook that good bbq on a time clock!

holbritter said:

Tailgating is part of the experience. Can't cook that good bbq on a time clock!

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The joys of ... holding a picnic in a parking lot while waiting for corporate teams to play a ball game you're not a part of, which you have to pay to see at a great distance? Rather than holding your own picnic in a park and playing your own ball game nearby if you like them? It's time to admit that neither being from the U.S. nor getting old has given me any understanding of American culture.

bythoughts said:

The joys of ... holding a picnic in a parking lot while waiting for corporate teams to play a ball game you're not a part of, which you have to pay to see at a great distance? Rather than holding your own picnic in a park and playing your own ball game nearby if you like them? It's time to admit that neither being from the U.S. nor getting old has given me any understanding of American culture.

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Admittance accepted. Have you experienced a true tailgate? It's unique, all about atmosphere.

bythoughts said:

The joys of ... holding a picnic in a parking lot while waiting for corporate teams to play a ball game you're not a part of, which you have to pay to see at a great distance? Rather than holding your own picnic in a park and playing your own ball game nearby if you like them? It's time to admit that neither being from the U.S. nor getting old has given me any understanding of American culture.

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holbritter said:

Admittance accepted. Have you experienced a true tailgate? It's unique, all about atmosphere.

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What’s the cost for “parking” a car for a few hours now? Last game I attended, it was $45-50 and they were banning shuttle buses from satellite lots. We are talking maybe 15 years ago….

Rexedgar said:

Wussies, they need to show up at an Eagles game decked out in Washington or Dallas kit!

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Philly police heckle people wearing Dallas gear

BirdinHand said:

Philly police heckle people wearing Dallas gear

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My fandom has waned in the last twenty years or so. I blame Dan Snyder. The missus was a Philadelphia area girl. Before she came to her senses and moved to Virginia, I would drive up for weekends. She got me an Eagles training camp tee shirt. We stopped at a sports bar and the Redskins and Eagles were playing. Whenever the ‘skins made a good play, I’d cheer and the other patrons were giving me strange looks…..I was wearing the tee she got me.

Rexedgar said:

My fandom has waned in the last twenty years or so. I blame Dan Snyder. The missus was a Philadelphia area girl. Before she came to her senses and moved to Virginia, I would drive up for weekends. She got me an Eagles training camp tee shirt. We stopped at a sports bar and the Redskins and Eagles were playing. Whenever the ‘skins made a good play, I’d cheer and the other patrons were giving me strange looks…..I was wearing the tee she got me.

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Philly sports fans are cut from a different cloth.

BirdinHand said:

Philly sports fans are cut from a different cloth.

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They are vocal, but I have found they know their sports.