49er “Waldo” Brings Seahawk and 49er Fans Together

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Matt Gabrielson

Normally a fan attending a championship parade wearing the gear of a rival team would be less than welcome. Initially this was the case of 49er fan “Waldo” (as he has come to be called), but this is far from the case with this brave young man now. “Waldo” has quite the story to tell that shows how large fan bases can come together in times of need.

Turns out “Waldo” is 15 years old and is a ward of the state. So that essentially means that this young man is homeless. “Waldo” lives in shelters and has endured a very difficult life so far. King 5 news in Seattle reports that “Waldo” does go to school everyday and that his teachers speak very highly of this brave young man. In an interview with the Ladies of the Empire, an all female club for the San Francisco 49ers, and we’re proud to say one of Fans Against Violence’s partner clubs, “Waldo” explained his reasoning for going to the Seahawks Championship Parade in his 49ers gear “Just being a Niner fan and getting all the crap at school for being one. I wanted everyone in Seattle and all around the world to know that I was a niner fan and I was no bandwagon!”

Word has spread really quickly about this young man’s unfortunate situation. Longtime 49er fan and president of the Ladies of the Empire, Catherine Tate was so impressed with what the bravery “Waldo” showed that she initially wanted to give him front row tickets to a 49ers game next season. That is when this brave 15 year olds story came to the forefront. Catherine worked very hard to get in contact with the right people and is raising money for “Waldo”.

Catherine and the Ladies of the Empire initially started a fundraiser on GoFundMe.com for “Waldo” to help get him to San Francisco for a game. However, after learning of “Waldo’s” situation this go fund me is raising funds to help with all of “Waldo’s” everyday basic needs. As of this writing $11,365!

Here is what is even more amazing when you see that number its not just 49ers fans contributing, Seahawks fans are also helping this young man. Along with donations on go fund me you can leave a comment. Some of the cool comments from the Seahawks fans are: “12th Man wants to help too”, 12th man Wilson style”, “Several 12 fans offering him shelter in their homes if he needs.

This story just goes to show how no matter what team you are a fan of, we are all humans in the end. For all of the bad things you hear these days when it comes to rivalries in sports, there is more good than bad. Here you have two fan bases that make one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL today bonding together to help a young man in need. For as brave as “Waldo” was to go to the Seahawks championship parade in his 49ers gear, it is nothing compared to the courage he shows every day living his difficult life.

To contribute to Waldo’s go fund me please go here: www.gofundme.com/Get-Niner-Waldo-to-SF

For more information on the Ladies of the Empire: ladiesoftheempire.com

For more information on Fans Against Violence: www.fansagainstviolence.org

What Can Sports Fans do to Take a More Proactive Approach Against Violence?

Posted on May 21, 2012 by FAV

We have had a lot of questions and comments in regards to our posting challenging fans to step up and take a more proactive approach in ending fan violence. Many of you have responded asking what it is you can do.

First and foremost, if you see something escalating, please do not try to get involved. We would never want anyone to put themselves or their family in danger. The best thing you can do is use the Game Day Security Hotlines and Text code to alert security to the issue. All calls are anonymous, so there is no need to be concerned about retaliation.

Although it is important that the venues do everything they can to ensure the fans safety, we as fans have to take on some of the responsibility. Along with the Game Day Security Hotlines and Text code we have also put together a list of Game Day Safety Tips. Please read them. Some of the tips may seem obvious but they are all important.

Lastly, with all of the recent incidents and all of the media attention to the issue of Fan Violence, many fans are afraid and on edge when attending a game. Remember be kind and respectful to all fans, no matter what team they are rooting for. At the end of the day, we are all fans of the sport. The smallest gesture of saying “hi” or “welcome to our stadium” to an opposing fan can make the largest impact!

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.

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?

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.

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.