I just left Cody's in Brooklyn where I watched the 1PM games on 14 TVs with a ton of other NYC transplants. Like most games in a New York bar, fans for every team showed up and there was a huge Steelers contingent. Steelers nation travels, or more correctly, most kids who grew up in Western PA now live somewhere else and emigration guilt brings out some unusually fervent home team support. So every bar has a ton of Black & Gold.
This day was unusual, or maybe sadly common, because the end of the game was marred by some young Steelers' fans almost getting into a fight with a Giants' fan over "cheering without class." I was wearing a Steelers' jersey, but I actually was kind of hoping the Giants fan would pop the kids in the head.
The disagreement started because the Giants fan, a decent sized New York looking Italian guy with forearms that revealed a working class job or lots of lifting, defended his girlfriend. She supported the Steelers' opponent Buffalo and received some very negative cheering from the young Pittsburgh fans.
The Steeler's guys finally drew fighting words from the Giants' fan and disdain by the rest of the bar by just being assholes. When the Steelers were up by three scores, they celebrated Buffalo injuries, were a little over excited for every Buffalo mistake, and even thew in some below the belt, "How's it feel to lose four Super Bowls?" I love the Steelers, but felt this was uncalled for. No other Steelers' fan in the bar, nor I would have said too much if the Giants' fan had pummeled the much smaller Steelers' kids.
NYC is a melting pot. If you love the NFL, but can't get the Direct Ticket, you end up watching your game beside fans of all 32 teams. For the most part, there is a camaraderie and respect for fellow fans. I've seen Patriots' fans pick up the tab for Colts' fans out of respect of the game and an appreciation of Karma. However, like today, altercations do happen. To prevent those, I'd like to offer some rules for fans in a mixed forum bar, like those in NYC and other major cities:
– Don't fight – There is not a single player, coach, or associate of any NFL organization that would ever get in a fight for you. It is an arbitrary contest of a ball economically divvied up between television markets first, cities second. It is my life for half a year, but the day I raise fists for it I know I am an asshole.
– Don't cheer injuries – There is Karma in this world. It's not a testament to your team, but the fickle finger of fate when a guy goes down. Just don't cheer it.
– Cheer positive – First downs. Runs for 6. Touchdowns. Decent returns. Forcing a 3 and out. You can cheer all these things without rubbing salt in the opposing team's unforced errors. The Giants' fans already feel bad enough when Eli throws it to the first row on a 4th quarter play. No need to gloat because some very good fans are strapped with some very inconsistent players.
– Don't respond to announcer hype – Yes every announcer in the world loves Peyton Manning, Chad Johnson, and Troy Polamalu. Yes these players are good, but they are not the second Jesus. Don't punish the person in the seat next to you because the media must create stories.
– Don't point – You are not on the team. The rival fan in the bar is not on the other team. Pointing at an opposing fan in a bar just says you like fighting more than watching football. See point 1.
– At least have some perspective in your subconscious – Watching football is a hobby, so you are allowed to escape a bit, but before you throw down, let a little bit of perspective bubble up from your subconscious. Last week Buffalo Bill, Kevin Everett lost the ability to walk forever. On Thursday, Frank Gore lost his mom. Everyday Iraq soldier parent lose something even more. It's okay to put this out of your mind while you watch, but maybe it should come up before you toss a plate of wing bones into a total stranger.
– Tip well – The waitress from Staten Island or Pentagon City couldn't care less about the Vikings-Packers "thing". Tip well. Really well.
I love watching the game in my home town, but there is a unique thrill to sharing the excitement with fans from all over the country in a major city sports bars. Don't eff it up by being an asshole and you might make a ton of friends. After all, you don't want to be compared to Iggles fans.
Hope to see you next Sunday.
One slight addendum: Watching the Pats play the Chargers tonight…forget my nice post. I just hate the Pats. They are smug AND they cheat. I'd like to see Tom Brady's bastard factory body tackled into Belechick's too cool for sleeves smug face. End of rant.
Another update from Matt, NFL Films on Steeler Nation. Choked me up.