Going to an NFL Game - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

DropIt · 10-09-2012, 10:04 PM

Figured this forum would be appropriate.

So me and my girlfriend are going to our first NFL games in November this year, New Orleans at Oakland Sunday night and Chicago at San Francisco Monday night. This worked out perfect as she gets to watch her Saints live one day, and I get to watch my Bears the next.

So my reason for the thread, would be to ask: What are your NFL game experiences CP? and what should I do/expect/prepare for in going to my first game?

-I know it sounds fairly 'touristy', but my girlfriend is an avid Saints fan and I am actually somewhat concerned about the reaction that will have in Oakland in a game I am expecting could go as far as a New Orleans blowout. Am I over reacting here?

-We plan on tailgating the Sunday and possibly the Monday (do Tailgates happen on Monday?) and as weird as it sounds, I have no idea how to even go about attending one of these, especially in hostile territory.

So any ideas, tips or past stories about what to do would be greatly appreciated.

transplant99 · 10-09-2012, 10:10 PM

Never been to game in the bay area, but i imagine its much like most. Even rival fans will have an area where they are tailgating, at least in my experience. And yes, Monday tailgates are just as vibrant as Sunday, particularly in warm weather climes.

Really the only advice i would give is be aware of where your seats are in relation to where you are tailgating and give yourself lots of time to get to them.

Oh ...and from what i understand..do not wear an opposing teams jersey in oakland under any circumstance.

PeteLFan · 10-09-2012, 10:10 PM

I'm scared to go to a game Oakland. Have you seen those nut jobs on tv, I'd be pretty careful.

rubecube · 10-09-2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transplant99

Oh ...and from what i understand..do not wear an opposing teams jersey in oakland under any circumstance.

Yep, this is what I've heard as well. It might not be as bad for Saints fans, but I've heard some horror stories from Cowboys, Dolphins, and Steelers fans.

CMPunk · 10-09-2012, 11:03 PM

The Black Hole will offer you up as a sacrifice to the football gods....but hey, have fun

DropIt · 10-10-2012, 06:16 AM

Hmm. So I'm not letting my imagination get the best of me then.... I guess she may have to leave her Jersey at home during that game.

Flames in 07 · 10-10-2012, 06:20 AM

I've been to 16 nfl stadiums. Just YouTube Oakland raiders fans and enjoy!

Actually sf isn't much better. If you have good seats you should be fine but if you are up top or the end zones I'd just be safe and don't cheer too overtly. And no opposing jerseys, or at least have a jacket on so you can cover them.

From my experience the worst time can be walking out after the game, whether the home team wins or losses. This is when fans are at their drunkest, and many NFL fans make Canuck fans look pretty tame by comparison.

Hockeyguy15 · 10-10-2012, 07:14 AM

I imagine you will be fine at your seats as long as you are respectful to the home team. If someone gives you a hard time at the start just mention you are just a dumb Canadian and didn't know any better when you picked your team, that will most likely diffuse any situation and make them lighten up.

Like Flames in 07 mentioned, it's the walk out that would be the bigger issue. But keep in mind we only hear about when bad events happen at games, you never hear from the fan that didn't have an issue with the home crowd.

return to the red · 10-10-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropIt

Figured this forum would be appropriate.

So me and my girlfriend are going to our first NFL games in November this year, New Orleans at Oakland Sunday night and Chicago at San Francisco Monday night. This worked out perfect as she gets to watch her Saints live one day, and I get to watch my Bears the next.

So my reason for the thread, would be to ask: What are your NFL game experiences CP? and what should I do/expect/prepare for in going to my first game?

-I know it sounds fairly 'touristy', but my girlfriend is an avid Saints fan and I am actually somewhat concerned about the reaction that will have in Oakland in a game I am expecting could go as far as a New Orleans blowout. Am I over reacting here?

-We plan on tailgating the Sunday and possibly the Monday (do Tailgates happen on Monday?) and as weird as it sounds, I have no idea how to even go about attending one of these, especially in hostile territory.

So any ideas, tips or past stories about what to do would be greatly appreciated.

Last year we went to the 'Niners NYG game and sat 2 rows from the top. Lots of Giants fans there and I didn't really notice anything worse than you see at hockey games between opposition fans.

In regards to the tailgating....unbelievable! We got to Candlestick at about 10 am and there were people all around. We didn't even tailgate in the Candlestick parking lot, there are some office buildings on your way in that you can park, pull out the bbq, lots of fans of both teams and an awesome time!

Show up, crack a beer and join a group of "friendly's". When we got there many people thought it was "neat" that we came all the way from Canada to watch an NFL game and had no problem killing time crushing beers with the locals.

The bad...wifey became a 'Niners fan.

I can't speak for Oakland as our friends there wouldn't take us (take that for whatever it means)

Senator Clay Davis · 10-10-2012, 09:14 AM

Oakland is definitely hostile territory, but the fans there have reportedly been getting better over the last few years. Stay out of the Black Hole though, thats where the bad stuff can go down....

Fun little joke for Raider fans...

Q. Why do Raider fans wear so much make up and dress up so much?
A. So their parole officer doesn't recognize them at the game.

troutman · 10-10-2012, 09:14 AM

My friend got mugged last time she was in Oakland.

Bobblehead · 10-10-2012, 09:30 AM

Make sure you plan to try and get to Candlestick early, the traffic to get there is pretty harsh. Even using public transit the traffic was bad, and the bus drivers cheat to help each other (one bus in the turning lane stopped and this let all the buses behind him drive up the through lane then make the turn). For a Monday game you are going to get rush hour traffic thrown into the mix, so don't think about cutting it close.

I went to the Rams/49ers game 2 years ago and there were a decent number of Rams fans, so it couldn't have been too bad. I wouldn't chance wearing a visitor jersey to Oakland.

I've seen 2 NFL games, and both were in the space of about 6 weeks. Candlestick was great for seeing a game - the field is great - but the stadium is really old and run down. They did have a really nice beer selection when you finally made it through all the lines. Then I went to the new Texas Stadium. Holy crap is all I can say about it. It is laid out beautifully (although traffic was a nightmare there, too) however for beer choices you had Miller or Miller Lite.

valo403 · 10-10-2012, 01:25 PM

It will be freezing at Candlestick. I don't care if it's 80 in San Fran that afternoon (it won't be) wear warm clothes. Warmer than you think you should. The location of that stadium leaves you really exposed to the wind.

Also, eat the garlic fries.

return to the red · 10-10-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

It will be freezing at Candlestick. I don't care if it's 80 in San Fran that afternoon (it won't be) wear warm clothes. Warmer than you think you should. The location of that stadium leaves you really exposed to the wind.

Also, eat the garlic fries.

Negative, I was there last November and it was a great day, no jacket needed.

Everyone has a different idea of warm however.

Lil Pedro · 10-10-2012, 10:55 PM

Anyone been to a game in SD? My brother and I are going to the MNF game against Denver this week

Flames in 07 · 10-11-2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

Anyone been to a game in SD? My brother and I are going to the MNF game against Denver this week

Yes.

Anything you would like to know?

Sylvanfan · 10-11-2012, 07:53 AM

Yeah, I've heard that if you're going to the black hole that you don't want to be wearing an opposing teams jersey or hat. They've had some pretty rough incidents in Oakland and San Fran with opposing fans, granted we don't always hear all the details. But I personally would keep a low profile.

burn_baby_burn · 10-11-2012, 09:31 AM

I went to a Monday night game in Oakland to watch the Chiefs once. It got pretty hostile, especialy as more and more alcohol was consumed. Didn't help that I had a black eye from a few days before. They are tough in numbers. Sucker punches can come from every direction. One Chiefs fan had a beer bottle broken over his head. The place is a sewer and I wouldn't set foot in that dungeon again.

burn_baby_burn · 10-11-2012, 03:48 PM

Don't wear sandles either. big lineup for the men's bathrooms. So lots of guys just pea on the wall. There must be half an inch of urine on the floor.

valo403 · 10-11-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

Negative, I was there last November and it was a great day, no jacket needed.

Everyone has a different idea of warm however.

I was there in november a few years ago and froze my ass off, not because I can't handle the cold, but because it was about 40 degrees with 30mph winds. It's pretty well known that temperatures at Candlestick are typically considerably colder than more sheltered places in the area.