Fan behavior improved?

[Lurker]

Watching on TV, there seemed to be a whole bunch of orange-clad Denver fans in the lower bowl. I don't recall a huge Denver following in WNY and I don't believe all of those folks flew in from the Rockies...anyone who was there, did it seem like an unusual number of away fans?

Back in the day when I had tix, there were a lot of Canadians who were big Bronco's fans who'd attend those games. Not sure why or if that is still the case...

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Watching on TV, there seemed to be a whole bunch of orange-clad Denver fans in the lower bowl. I don't recall a huge Denver following in WNY and I don't believe all of those folks flew in from the Rockies...anyone who was there, did it seem like an unusual number of away fans?

Yes, it was noticeable.

[boyst]

I think it's the general overall tone that fans have accepted over 17+ years

[Ned Flanders]

Well, these guys would like a break....

 

http://buffalonews.com/2017/09/24/orchard-park-police-swamped-calls-connected-bills-game/

Jeeziz, a guy with a .30 BAC...dangerous, very dangerous.

[Fadingpain]

I hadn't been to a game in Buffalo for a while before last week - I think Chan Gailey's final game against the Jets was the last time I was in Orchard Park.

 

Anyway, I noticed that the fans were significantly better behaved this time. Plenty of drunks but no one obnoxiously intoxicated, no open fires on the ground in the parking lot, no public urination that I could see, and no fights. Everyone was fairly respectful towards opposing team fans. The atmosphere was very positive and was a pleasant surprise to me based on past poor experiences.

 

I've historically gone later in the season, usually when the team has been eliminated, so maybe that's the reason why I have a negative impression of the in-stadium experience... but regardless, it was a welcome change and made me feel proud to be a Bills fan. Keep it up.

This made me laugh out loud...

 

Things are improving in Orchard Park when there are no:

 

1) Open fires

2) Acts of public urination

3) fist fights

 

What a crowd.

Edited September 26, 2017 by Fadingpain

[berg1029]

seemed like the same old to me. witnessed a lot of stupid stuff on sunday.

 

my favorite was this: some lady stole the entire ketchup dispenser and walked it down to her seat where she sat with it for about a quarter.. until security escorted her and her ketchup dispenser out (she later returned, presumably after returning the ketchup dispenser). what a legend

[corta765]

I hadn't been to a game in Buffalo for a while before last week - I think Chan Gailey's final game against the Jets was the last time I was in Orchard Park.

 

Anyway, I noticed that the fans were significantly better behaved this time. Plenty of drunks but no one obnoxiously intoxicated, no open fires on the ground in the parking lot, no public urination that I could see, and no fights. Everyone was fairly respectful towards opposing team fans. The atmosphere was very positive and was a pleasant surprise to me based on past poor experiences.

 

I've historically gone later in the season, usually when the team has been eliminated, so maybe that's the reason why I have a negative impression of the in-stadium experience... but regardless, it was a welcome change and made me feel proud to be a Bills fan. Keep it up.

 

Since I started regularly going and tailgating from 7:30/8ish on in 2010 I have noticed that fan behavior has improved a bunch. I think this is due to a few reasons:

-Better enforcement of the Bills lots tailgating wise. You can still drink and party but they do a much better job monitoring

-9am opening of lots and curbing beer after half time at least limits some massive consumption on property

-Ownership is stable and a conscious effort towards trying to win is there. I never doubted Ralph's desire to win but today's Bills at least operate like a 21st century operation not like a late 90s one which did feel dated and behind the times.

-While no playoffs, the team has become more watchable since 2013 on. Since 2013 they have been in the hunt/actually been .500 or above twice now and even last season were 7-7 with a chance in the final two. Obviously still not great but attending the last few years I've had at least some optimism compared to 2009-12 when I went and it literally felt like going to party and not much else; a win felt like a surprise.

 

The idiots still exist and games against the Pats/Jets I've found to still have a lot of blood boiling, but otherwise I think people have chilled out a bit.

Edited September 26, 2017 by corta765

[Meark]

It was a very, very low-key crowd.

 

I blame the heat.

 

I know I barely drank any beer whilst tailgating. Way more water than beer.

 

Inside, I saw one Broncos fan being a douche. He was told by a guest relations guy to put his cigarette out. The Broncos fan (white) then asked the guest relations guy (black) if he was being singled out because of the color of his skin. He then proceeded to call him an N word, which the guest relations guy either did not hear, or chose to blow off.

 

Other than that ... very subdued crowd, from what I could tell.

 

 

Hah.. Just noticed I was mentioned in your signature.. Just ate a sandwich with eggless mayo too! Delicious!

[4_kidd_4]

Its as good as its ever been as far as safety and security.

 

15th year w season tix, and been goin to the stadium since 84.

[KollegeStudnet]

I was at the first preseason game and was shocked at how well behaved everyone was. Granted it was preseason.

 

It was nice to see patrols going through. Growing up at the games I would see a lot of fights in the parking lot. I want to agree that things have changed.

[4_kidd_4]

Week one my wife was across the stadium w fam. She txt me they had a puker in their aisle.

 

I said go tell security at your aisle, and then txt the fanline to clean it up. Dude was ejected and the puke was cleaned up within 10 mins.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Week one my wife was across the stadium w fam. She txt me they had a puker in their aisle.

 

I said go tell security at your aisle, and then txt the fanline to clean it up. Dude was ejected and the puke was cleaned up within 10 mins.

 

I took my kid to the last Bills-Dolphins night game.

 

She got to witness the double-fisting beer faceplant on the stairs guy. She asked if he was sick. I answered yes.

 

[4_kidd_4]

Excellent parenting Joe.

 

Thats how my dad did it with us too when we were young.

 

As in- See that guy?? Dont be that guy.

[stevewin]

No drunks stood in front of my 83 year old Dad in the club section the whole game this time and relentlessly trolled him - progress

 

Honestly the only dooosh I saw was in the parking lot on the way out some a-hole with a Brady jersey hyped up on the Pats** win was prancing around (seemingly) trying to start a fight with whoever would engage him - in that respect I wish fan behavior was not improved and someone would have beat the crap out of him

[plenzmd1]

I know it is counter-intuitive, but for everyone saying beer sales being cut off at halftime helps lower drunkenness, I 100% disagree. BTW, I think they moved to a half-time cutoff in like 86 or even earlier, so it has been a good 30 years.

 

Too many people, me included BTW, buy more beers than I need just cause i don't want to be jonesing for a beer mid 4th quarter. And ain't no way I am not drinking that beer after paying $9. But cause it's in the can, I am also not spilling it accidentally on the guy/girl in front of me, nor easily throwing it at someone when they say something that pisses me off!

Edited September 26, 2017 by plenzmd1

[Heavy Kevi]

Behavior is "better" because of the mass increase of security and regulations over the past few years.

 

I don't think it's better, but that's another conversation.

[Gugny]

Yes, it was noticeable.

 

I mentioned this to Fergy and he quickly pointed out that many staff members had orange shirts. But there was definitely a lot of Denver fans, either way.

[dulles]

I hadn't been to a game in Buffalo for a while before last week - I think Chan Gailey's final game against the Jets was the last time I was in Orchard Park.

 

Anyway, I noticed that the fans were significantly better behaved this time. Plenty of drunks but no one obnoxiously intoxicated, no open fires on the ground in the parking lot, no public urination that I could see, and no fights. Everyone was fairly respectful towards opposing team fans. The atmosphere was very positive and was a pleasant surprise to me based on past poor experiences.

 

I've historically gone later in the season, usually when the team has been eliminated, so maybe that's the reason why I have a negative impression of the in-stadium experience... but regardless, it was a welcome change and made me feel proud to be a Bills fan. Keep it up.

Must be McCoach is bringing discipline to the fans too!

[Hammered a Lot]

I hadn't been to a game in Buffalo for a while before last week - I think Chan Gailey's final game against the Jets was the last time I was in Orchard Park.

 

Anyway, I noticed that the fans were significantly better behaved this time. Plenty of drunks but no one obnoxiously intoxicated, no open fires on the ground in the parking lot, no public urination that I could see, and no fights. Everyone was fairly respectful towards opposing team fans. The atmosphere was very positive and was a pleasant surprise to me based on past poor experiences.

 

I've historically gone later in the season, usually when the team has been eliminated, so maybe that's the reason why I have a negative impression of the in-stadium experience... but regardless, it was a welcome change and made me feel proud to be a Bills fan. Keep it up.

What no fires on a 90 degree day??

seemed like the same old to me. witnessed a lot of stupid stuff on sunday.

 

my favorite was this: some lady stole the entire ketchup dispenser and walked it down to her seat where she sat with it for about a quarter.. until security escorted her and her ketchup dispenser out (she later returned, presumably after returning the ketchup dispenser). what a legend

No water so why not drink ketchup..,,

[Hammered a Lot]

Back in the day when I had tix, there were a lot of Canadians who were big Bronco's fans who'd attend those games. Not sure why or if that is still the case...

Still the case,