Tragedy Strikes Kansas City Chiefs Community and NFL Fans Nationwide

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Julie

As week 13 of the 2012 NFL season comes to a close, we are left to process the impact of yesterdays tragedy in Kansas City. Details of the murder/suicide involving Kansas City Chief Javon Belcher, and his girlfriend Kassandra Perkins, will continue to surface. We might gain perspective on what could possibly have driven Belcher to commit such an act, yet none of that will ease the pain of the loss. Nor will it return 3 month old Zoey Belcher’s parents to her.

Our friends in the Kansas City Chief community are hurting, and we want them to know that fans across the league support them as they recover. As NFL fans, these are times when rivalries and team allegiance falls to the wayside. It’s an opportunity for us to see we are all members of a much larger affiliation. And perhaps, we can take the effort to view our NFL players in a different light. These men who play for our teams are sons, fathers, husbands, uncles, brothers, friends… They are simply people. Their celebrity does not exclude them from the stressors and pains of life.

In his post game press conference, KC Chief QB Brady Quinn offered, “We live in a society of social networks. Twitter pages and Facebook. That’s fine and stuff, but you know we have contact with our work associates, our family, our friends, and it seems like half the time we’re more preoccupied with our phone and other things going on, than the actual relationships we have in front of us. Hopefully people can learn from this and try to actually figure out if someone’s battling something deeper on the inside than what they’re revealing on a day to day basis.” As the Holiday season is now upon us, this is the best time of year to take his words to heart.

We at Fans Against Violence would like to extend our prayers and our sincerest condolences to the entire Kansas City Chiefs Family and everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233): Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this line is a resource for safety information and can connect any caller with shelters and protection advocates in her area.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255): Suicide hotline, 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide network of crisis centers.

Candlestick Park – Post Game Fight and a Concealed Handgun

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Julie

Jed York and the San Francisco 49ers have had another violent incident occur under their watch at Candlestick Park. Following the 49ers overtime loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, September 18th, the police were called to the site of a fight in one of the parking lots just outside the stadium.

Three men were attempting to leave the parking lot while the victim was standing behind their car. Some sort of argument broke out and the men got out of the car and began to attack the victim. The victim’s friend came to his aid was then hit in the head, as was the uniformed security officer who also tried to help. The most substantial injuries were the result of blunt force trauma to the head caused by a bottle and flashlight.

What’s even more disturbing is the concealed handgun found in the perpetrators car. No indication regarding team affiliation for any of the parties has been released; and honestly, it doesn’t matter.

: Parking Lot Map of Candlestick Park, SF

The post game violence at Candlestick when the 49ers hosted the Oakland Raiders made National news and caused officials from the NFL office to tour the facility and talk with the 49ers Administration. One of the specific issues discussed was the concern about security in the outer parking lots. If York and his staff do not take immediate and, if needed, extreme measures to ensure adequate policing of the surrounding lots, the San Francisco 49ers should be sanctioned by the league.

What changes were made? How have they improved policing of the lots? Is there surveillance? Why would a security guard report alone, without a partner? Roger Goodell and the league office need to sit down with the 49ers and devise a plan to make immediate corrections and hold the franchise accountable. Their fans deserve better.

Text Conduct Concerns from Lambeau Field

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Julie

Tonight the Green Bay Packers kick off the 2011 NFL Season with their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. We encourage all fans attending the game at Lambeau Field to save the following Text number in their cell phones – 78247

Cheesehead!

Text any conduct concerns (drunk and disorderly fans, tense situations) or any safety hazards to that number, 78247. Identify your location and a brief description. For example: “Sec203/R6 Drunk guy causing probs” – the process is anonymous. Please forward this information on and use this tool to keep you and your fellow fans safe, and Take Back The Stands.

Codes for all home teams can be found on Fans Against Violence on our list of Game Day Hotlines.

Good luck to both teams, give us a great game! Welcome to your 2011 NFL Season!

Youth Football Melee in Sarasota Florida

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Julie

Sarasota, FL– Amateur video caught a fight as it broke out during a youth football game between the Sarasota Gators and North Point Huskies on Saturday, August 27, 2011. It is believed the fight began as the Gators coaching staff aggressively pursued questionable referee calls. The referee sustained injuries, including a fractured shoulder. If you haven’t seen the video, take a few moments to watch it.

The youth squads are comprised of 13-15 year old boys. It is the job of the coaching staffs to mentor and teach these kids about teamwork and good sportsmanship. Not only did the men in these roles fail at their jobs, their actions shut down the entire Gators team for the season.

: 14 year old Jamison Saintville with the initial hit on Referee Jayme Ream

What we’re seeing is an incredibly dysfunctional cycle. The coaches don’t like the calls made by the referee, so rather than pursue a post game discussion and setting a mature example for their team, they lead with emotions, inspiring one of their own players to land the initial blow on the referee. The league, not knowing how to discipline, nor caring to perform an urgent staff replacement, decides to go with a knee-jerk reaction and shut down the program.

This program was put in place to keep kids involved in something productive, keep them off the streets and in school. The parents are now concerned about the impact this loss will have on their sons.

A coach in the North Point organization, David Garafalo, shared his take on why incidents like this happen; “It is society, it seems like the fundamentals of being a role model for your neighbors and your own family is going down the tubes as far as teaching kids right thing to do.”

Charges are pending on three Gator coaches, as well as one Gator player.

No laws, no fees, no fines will ever motivate parents and adults to behave like role models. This is something we need to bring back in our society at a grass roots level.

Amy Trask Reports on Fan Relations – Raiders vs Saints

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Julie

Just a week removed from the violence following their matchup with the 49ers across the Bay in San Francisco, the Oakland Raiders played host to the New Orleans Saints for their third 2011 pre-season game. It was a nationally televised game and many NFL eyes were watching to see how the home crowd would respond.

Raiders CEO Amy Trask was happy to report on crowd conduct to the media outlets, saying that nothing has changed. Along with several candid photographs from the stands, Trask advised;

“We all know that perception is not always consistent with reality — please use these photographs when helping others form opinions — and please remember that our commitment to a safe, secure, fun and family friendly environment is unwavering.”

Mike Florio, who saw the pictures, feels that “It will be difficult to quickly overcome decades of images of menacing Raiders fans dressed in intimidating garb. But these images definitely provide a different context.”

Raider Nation has never claimed to be demure. Amy Trask is imploring you to stop perpetuating antiquated stereotypes and take a deeper look.

2012 Battle of the Bay – The Niners vs Raiders in Oakland is Still Possible

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Julie

The anual pre-season Battle of the Bay matchup appears to remain a possibility for 2012.
Jeff Miller, NFL security chief, paid a visit to the Oakland Coliseum (O.co Coliseum) during week three of the pre-season. When Miller initiated the NFL Fan Code of Conduct in 2008 as the NFL’s director of strategic security, the Oakland Raiders reacted quickly. The greatest impact might be their increased police, security and staff, not just during the game, but with pre and post game visibility in the parking lots. Fans feel safe and shared their approval with Miller.

Jeff Miller, NFL security chief

The shootings that took place in San Francisco, after the matchup between the Raiders and 49ers on August 20th caused 49ers owner, Jed York, to request the NFL end the traditional series. The league has not made a definitive decision on the matter.

In 2012 the series would continue in Oakland, where fan safety has been a priority since 2008. Miller responded directly to questions about this matchup bye acknowledging the league has no interest in ‘forcing’ the San Francisco 49ers to play the game, but he also left room for the possibility that York’s immediate concerns could be addressed.

“I think that whether they play it again next year of the year after, whenever it’s played again, we should look at playing it earlier in the day. We should have an earlier start. As far as a security plan, to prevent the kinds of things we saw the other night, I am confident we can execute that. We want to get to it early, out in the lots.”

There is no reason to expect the same challenges in Oakland that we saw post game at Candlestick Park. York’s concerns about fan safety are legitimate, and perhaps if he worked with the Raiders, he might be able to glean some of their success in fan safety for his own use.

Burying traditions and re-directing blame will not create safer environments. The teams must continue to improve their procedures and work with the league to sustain long standing rivalries.

Hope for a 2012 Battle of the Bay continues.