About kcdermody

K.C. Dermody is a featured contributor for Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! Entertainment and Yahoo! Travel, with thousands of published articles on the NFL, disc golf, sports health & nutrition, news and politics, business, celebrities, travel and much more. She has been an avid Oakland Raiders fan since childhood, and recently had the privilege of interviewing her favorite player of all-time, Jim Plunkett.

New Security Measures are Necessary Considering the Increase in Violent Acts at Sporting Events

Posted on August 11, 2012 by kcdermody

There are some fans who are upset about the inconvenience of the new security screening measures put into place for all NFL games this year. Every stadium in the nation is affected, including O.co Coliseum. According to Raiders.com, everyone who walks into the stadium will be subject to “security screening of property and person, including metal detection.”

Are the new rules inconvenient? Yes. But are they worth eliminating even just one violent incident, and possibly the life of an NFL fan? Of course.

It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where security screening measures like these are necessary, but with the high number of violent acts committed at sporting venues across the country in recent years, the NFL is taking steps they feel will help reduce and eliminate potential injury or death to those who just want to watch their favorite team battle it out on the field.

Of course some incidents have happened in parking lots outside the stadium, as in the shooting after the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders preseason game last summer, and the new rules may not have prevented this horrendous situation, but there are others that would have been prevented through metal detection and advanced security screening.

At MetLife Stadium last September, a fan used an illegal taser at the game between the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys. In a cellphone video of the fight that occurred, one fan can be heard saying, “How did he get in here with that thing?”

Had metal detectors been in place, it’s unlikely he would have made it through with it.

With alcohol being consumed during the game, mixed with high tempers, adding a weapon of any kind is a recipe for disaster.

Yes, it’s inconvenient, and you’ll have to allow more time to get into the game, but considering the number of deaths involving random shootings at places we should be able to go into and feel safe, it only makes sense to take any action possible to prevent such horrific violence from happening again.

Other articles by K.C. Dermody can be found below. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter or at www.kcdermodywriter.com

Oakland Raiders Fan: Fans Against Violence Taking Back the Stands for All Sports

Raiders vs. 49ers Preseason Battle Nixed; NFL’s Latest Ideas to Stop Violence

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Eight People Shot in Oklahoma following Thunder vs Lakers Playoff Game

Posted on May 22, 2012 by kcdermody

Despite the fact that violence at sporting events has been a rather large topic of conversation recently, with the many incidents that have taken place across the nation, yet another horrific shooting has occurred. This time, it happened in the Midwest following the basketball game between the Thunder and the Lakers. While few details have been released, and it is unconfirmed whether this incident was indeed related to the basketball game, we do know that at least eight people were shot in downtown Oklahoma City on Monday night.

According to Capt. Dexter Nelson, the shootings occurred just three blocks from Chesapeake Energy Arena in the Bricktown district where the streets were filled with approximately 6000 celebrating fans. Eye-witnesses reported an argument and a scuffle that erupted between a group of women and a group of men when someone opened fire into the crowd. Eight victims were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. One of the victims is currently in critical condition while the others did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Nelson also stated a woman who was pregnant suffered a blunt trauma injury and she was even believed to have been kicked during the aftermath of the shootings. Although initial reports stated two men were arrested, Nelson confirmed there have been no arrests and in relation to the shootings and the initial reports were false.

Ironically, Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallin, recently signed Senate Bill 1733 into law, known as the “Open Carry” law. This bill would allow anyone possessing a license to carry a firearm under the Oklahoma Self Defense Act will be able to carry openly or concealed at their discretion. Any property owner will be able to open carry on their own property regardless of whether they have a license to carry or not. Oklahoma is the 41st state to allow open carry.

Between the brutal beating of San Francisco Giants’ fan Brian Stow at Dodgers Stadium last March, the shootings following last year’s preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets’ fan who barely survived after being jumped after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs last December, not to mention countless other acts of violence, it’s quite apparent that tough legislation is needed if we’re to have a hope of reducing these horrible crimes.

Baseball Rivals Nationals and Phillies Encourage Friendly Rivalry Between Fan Bases

Posted on May 4, 2012 by kcdermody

One of the most heated rivalries in baseball will be battling it out this weekend in Washington, D.C. when the Philadelphia Phillies face the Washington Nationals. With emotions running high there have been a few articles written, like this one from CrossingBroad.com, about the importance of bringing your passion along with respect for all baseball fans, regardless the team they are fans of.

Baseball is our nation’s favorite pastime, but it’s important to remember the phrase “for the love of the game.” One can not equate love with violence, and violence should have no part in any sporting event. Unfortunately it’s been happening all too often, hence the reason for the inception of Fans Against Violence. Refer to our site’s Game Day Safety Tips and Game Day Hotlines & Text Code pages before heading out to the game, taking responsibility for your own safety as well.

One of the most horrific incidents in the history of sporting events happened just last year in Los Angeles when San Francisco Giants’ fan, Bryan Stow, was brutally beaten and attacked by two Dodgers’ fans at the stadium after the game. No one wants to see something like that happen ever again.

While sports rivalries can be fun and exciting, tempers can flare, especially when alcohol is involved. Remember to use common sense and never forget that there is no game that is worth jeopardizing anyone’s health. On Sunday night ESPN will be televising the game, and any incidents would only feed fuel to the fire of alleged bad behavior by the fans.

Keep the game what it is, fun entertainment that kids and adults of all ages can enjoy. Be loud, be supportive, but also be respectful of everyone in the stands. A few bad apples can ruin it all for everyone.

Annual Bay Area Battle Scrapped from Preseason Schedule: Fans the Losers in this Decision

Posted on April 17, 2012 by kcdermody

Last summer when the Oakland Raiders headed across the bay to face the San Francisco 49ers, fans had no idea that it would become the last time these two teams would face each other until 2014. Following the game in 2011, two fans were shot in separate incidents that occurred in the parking lot of Candlestick Park and a 26-year-old man was beaten in the Candlestick Park bathroom.

Fans Against Violence - Battle of the Bay

Annual Battle of the Bay cancelled by NFL

After these violent attacks occurred, San Francisco 49ers CEO, Jed York, recommended that the NFL end all preseason games between the 49ers and the Oakland Raiders in the future, and for an indefinite period of time. When the exhibition schedule was released for 2012, the annual Bay Area battle had been nixed. The franchises have met for 12 of the 13 past preseasons, but as a result of the fan violence that took place, a few bad apples have ruined the game that many look forward to every summer.

There have been a few ideas as to how to stop violence at sporting events, including a bill that is currently proposed in the California State Assembly. If the legislation passes, the Golden State would be the first to create a “Ban List” that would “prohibit violent fans from attending professional sports events anywhere in the state for up to five years under newly proposed legislation.

The NFL has also proposed putting undercover cops in visiting team’s gear in order to catch those who would subject fans of the visiting team to mistreatment. While I believe that idea makes a lot of sense, the second portion of that idea seems a bit unrealistic. According to Gary Buiso of the New York Post, the NFL will require ejected fans to pass an online code of conduct exam before they can return. ProFootballTalk published a good article as to how and why this could go wrong.

In any case, for now it appears that the two teams will only meet every four years in the regular season, and the handful of criminals who show up at sporting events to cause trouble are the only winners in this battle.

California Legislation Would Ban Violent Fans from Sporting Events

Posted on March 14, 2012 by kcdermody

While the state of California is known for sometimes creating unnecessary laws, a bill currently proposed in the California State Assembly makes sense, and may set a precedence for other states to follow suit. If the legislation passes, the Golden State would be the first to create a “Ban List” that would “prohibit violent fans from attending professional sports events anywhere in the state for up to five years under newly proposed legislation.

The Sacramento Bee reported that the ban would only apply to those convicted of felonies such as assault, and it would not include less serious crimes, such as abusive heckling and throwing beer.

The proposed law comes as a result of several rather horrific violent incidents that have occurred at sporting events across the nation recently. A year ago this month, San Francisco Giants’ fan Bryan Stowe became a victim of violence after he was beaten senseless following a Los Angeles Dodgers game. During a preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders in August, there were several shootings in the parking lot and others acts of violence inside the stadium.

Just before Christmas, a New York Jets fan was savagely beaten in the parking lot after the game by a group of Kansas City Chiefs fans, and in January while two San Francisco 49ers fans were cheering on their team at an Applebee’s restaurant in Georgia, they were shot at in the parking lot as they left the building. A man was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in the incident.

The legislation will not have an affect on the average fan attending a sporting event, but if it does pass, I hope that it will make a difference in the record amount of violence we’ve been seeing.

Saints Fan Arrested After Shooting Two Men for Cheering on the 49ers

Posted on January 17, 2012 by kcdermody

There have been far too many stories of violence surrounding sporting events this year, and the latest happened to two San Francisco 49er fans who were cheering on their team at a local Applebee’s restaurant in Duluth, Georgia. The two 30-year-old men, Corey Adams and Chris Middleton, were celebrating a touchdown by the San Francisco team. According to Adams he and Middleton made just one remark to the alleged shooter, 31-year-old Donald Ray Ayro. Adams commented, “The only thing me and my buddy said was, we were excited that the 49ers scored,” he added, “It was only one touchdown.”

Ayro, a Saints fan, left the building but told the men that he would return. As Adams and Middleton left the restaurant about 90 minutes later, Ayro fired gunshots at them in Applebee’s parking lot.

Adams said, “I took off running and he started shooting at me and shot like four or five times and he grazed the back of my head.” Middleton was rushed to nearby Gwinnett Medical Center after being shot in the chest. He is said to be in critical condition.

Saints fan Donald Ayro Arrested after shooting two 49er Fans

Donald Ray Ayro arrested after shooting two 49ers fans

According to Fox Sports, police found Ayro through Adams’ description of him and his vehicle. He was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Last March, San Francisco Giants’ fan Bryan Stowe became a victim of violence after he was beaten senseless after a Los Angeles Dodgers game, and in the preseason during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders there were several shootings in the parking lot and acts of violence inside the stadium itself. Last month a New York Jets fan was beaten by a group of Kansas City Chiefs’ fans.

What can be done to prevent these senseless attacks? I’m not sure what the answer is. Extreme hatred against fans of an opposing team does nothing in the way of supporting your own.

Vicious Attack on NY Jets Fan: Yet Another Senseless Act of Fan Violence in 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by kcdermody

A 23-year-old P.E. teacher became yet another victim of a vicious attack after a sporting event. After the game between the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, December 11, James Mohr, a die-hard Jets fan was jumped and brutally beaten by seven men, with at least one wearing a Chiefs’ jersey. Prior to the violent attack, the group of thugs was said to be drunk and upset after their team lost to New York. Mohr was walking through the parking lot at the stadium, when one of the attackers shouted, “F**k New York,” and “You all deserved what happened on 9/11!”

James Mohr - Before and after brutal attack

Mohr’s sister, Anna, said her brother took offense, especially to the 9/11 reference as their other brother is a fireman, and their father is a retired FDNY. She remarked, “He was shocked anyone would actually say something like that.”

The end result was the savage and senseless beating to Mohr. The lifelong Jets fan suffered a fractured jaw, cheekbone and eye socket in the beatdown, and also has bleeding on the brain. The victim has gone through hours of surgery to repair his shattered face and is said to be just barely hanging on.

Unfortunately, acts of violence seem to be occurring more frequently, and though football can be a dangerous game for the players on the field, the parking lot at stadiums is becoming a far more dangerous place for fans.

In March, a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was beaten so badly he suffered serious brain damage when his skull was fractured. He was in a coma for months and has only recently been able to move just slightly.

During the preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, there were several shootings that took place, and during the game, a 26-year old man was beaten in the Candlestick Park bathroom.

While I’m not certain what the best solution to the problem is, but the banning of alcohol may eventually have to become a reality at sporting events. Angry and disappointed fans and alcohol are just not a good mix, and though it would be sad to have to punish everyone for the few who become violent criminals, is it worth even just one fan’s life to continue to make it readily available?

San Jose Restaurant Perpetuates Stereotypes by Refusing to Air Oakland Raiders or Dallas Cowboys Games

Posted on November 27, 2011 by kcdermody

A Bay Area restaurant known as High Five Pizza, promotes itself as the friendliest restaurant in the San Jose area. It was even voted one of the top five places in the Bay Area to watch football, yet they have decided to refuse to air games involving either the Oakland Raiders or the Dallas Cowboys.

It’s hard to believe that any restaurant that bills itself as a place to watch sports would virtually ban the fans of any particular team. As we all know, there are good and bad people in all fan bases.

The only thing the restaurant’s policy does, is to continue to perpetuate stereotypes and encourage animosity between fans. Yet a phone call to the restaurant manager confirmed that indeed, this is the policy.

As an Oakland Raiders’ fan who is about as far from violent as it gets, I’m highly offended. But it isn’t just that. I’m not a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, but I am a fan of people, and to make a group of people feel unwelcome based on a very unjust prejudiced goes far over the line being reasonable.

There are several groups, including Fans Against Violence, who are working to end violence at sporting events of all types. They aim to encourage good-will and sportsmanship. The actions of High Five Pizza are disheartening, and serves the opposite purpose of what Fans Against Violence is all about.

If you agree, let your voice be heard. Call the manager of High Five Pizza in San Jose, California at (408) 629-6800.