Who's your pro football team?

[Big Don]

I like watching the sport of soccer. And Big Don,that big stadium is beautiful. But what I don't get is why every European country loves to call our fans crazed idiots! (see Paul Casey and Luke Donald)

Although there are a few clubs that have a minority of moronic supporters that set out to cause trouble, crowd violence in european football is relatively rare. I've personally never witnessesed any violent incidents like those in your pictures during my 30 years as a spectator.

The atmosphere in stadiums in the UK is totally different than in the USA. For a start large numbers of supporters of both teams are in the stadium, unlike America where the great majority of the supporters in a stadium are supporting the home team. Allegiance to teams in the UK is largely regional and is based primarily on family background although in some cases religion and\or ethnicity can play a part. Fans rarely change their allegiance from their original home team even if they relocate to a different region of the country; you are a fan of a particular team for life. Additionally the game moves quickly and lasts only 90 mins. All of these factors lead to a much more tribal, charged and volatile atmosphere in UK football stadiums and soccer stadiums in general. In contrast when I've been to stadiums in the USA most of the spectators appear to be relatively disinterested in the sports event itself, at least during some parts of the game. The main focus seems to be enjoying the company of friends and consuming copious quantities of food and drink. Americans make sports events major celebrations. No bad thing; A more friendly family atmosphere in European football stadiums would be a major improvement. I think the comments by Paul Casey and Luke Donald refer to the rather obvious bias shown towards American golfers by American golf fans during the US majors rather than American sports fans in general. For example, the treatment of Monty in America over the years has been nothing short of disgraceful.

[The Turlock Kid]

Although there are a few clubs that have a minority of moronic supporters that set out to cause trouble, crowd violence in european football is relatively rare. I've personally never witnessesed any violent incidents like those in your pictures during my 30 years as a spectator.

Yeah, no doubt it's sensational media. (and movies like "Green Street Hooligans") I spent some time in Russia and saw a few fights break out at the games I went to. Then again, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) at those games were plowed, so go figure.

The atmosphere in stadiums in the UK is totally different than in the USA. For a start large numbers of supporters of both teams are in the stadium, unlike America where the great majority of the supporters in a stadium are supporting the home team.

I would imagine it's easier for UK fans to be supporters of their British teams when the country isn't as large and spread out as the US (a few hour drive vs. a plane trip/hotel).

...in the USA most of the spectators appear to be relatively disinterested in the sports event itself, at least during some parts of the game. The main focus seems to be enjoying the company of friends and consuming copious quantities of food and drink.

Totally true. It's a place to gather and have a good time. And since our stadiums are so big, most of the time you can't even see the game from the seats you get.

I think the comments by Paul Casey and Luke Donald refer to the rather obvious bias shown towards American golfers by American golf fans during the US majors rather than American sports fans in general.

Do other countries root for Americans when they come over to play? This would seem very strange to me.

For example, the treatment of Monty in America over the years has been nothing short of disgraceful.

Totally agree. I am a huge Monty fan (although Erik calls him "Mrs. Doubtfire"). I wish we'd treat him better. He's a great player and has had a bunch of tough breaks. I do root for players from all nations, though. I just wish more Americans would follow suit at the majors. But hey, we're proud of who we are and our players. "Root-root-root for the home team!"

By the way Big Don, where in Scotland are you? I have a lot family heritage over there. Anywhere near Banchory or Inverness?

[Big Don]

Do other countries root for Americans when they come over to play? This would seem very strange to me.

During The Open Championship the top American players are treated like Kings when they come to the UK. Look at the support for Tiger this year. I can't imagine British golf fans ever heckling that guy.

In honour of his fantastic contribution to The Open, Jack Nicklaus' image will appear on the back of a special run of Royal Bank of Scotland £5 notes. That is a measure of the high regard for his achievements in golf in Scotland. He is a legend who will always be highly regarded here due to his high standard of play but more importantly because of his exceptional sportsmanship. We'd love to see a Scotsman win The Open, but that doesn't mean that we can't appreciate and enthusiastically applaud good play from overseas players.

[The Turlock Kid]

During The Open Championship the top American players are treated like Kings when they come to the UK. Look at the support for Tiger this year. I can't imagine British golf fans ever heckling that guy.

That's awesome. I remember hearing about Bobby Jones and his royal treatment as well (i.e. hole #10 at St. Andrews old course). I think the world could take a few lessons from the Scots.

[isbtown]

Kansas City Chiefs... RIP Lamar

[creative1]

As painfull as it is, I'm still a Cleveland Browns fan

[Hogan Fan]

The "Mistake by the lake". If it's BROWN flush it down!
Sorry, I live near Cincinnati although I am a RAIDERS fan, I couldn't resist giving you some WHO-DEY cheer.
By the way Big Don, thats a nice pic of the stadium, could you cut it down a few million megapixels? ha! ha!

[tonethebone]

unfortunately i'm a diehard browns fan. thank God i'm old enough to have seen the great jim brown play when i was a kid.

fortunately it's great being an o.s.u. alumni & fan

[creative1]

unfortunately i'm a diehard browns fan. thank God i'm old enough to have seen the great jim brown play when i was a kid.

Yes being an OSU alum has made this football season easier. Go Bucks!

[flashman70]

Been a Redskins fan since 1956. Before the days of national TV contracts, each team had a network of stations that carried their games. Washington was the team of the South. They were awful, but folks would drive up from the Carolinas to see games. It wasn't until the Cowboys in 1960 (?) and then the Falcons in 1966(?) that other southern teams came on. And no, Baltimore was never a southern team.

[NCGolfer]

And no, Baltimore was never a southern team.

That's because they were the Cleveland Browns. Art Modell is a piece of $

[flashman70]

Can't argue with your opinion of Mr. Modell. But I was thinking of the old Colts with Unitas and Alan Ameche and Ray Berry, etc. They'd kick the Redskins' butts every year and I really hated them. I even rooted for the Giants against the Colts in "the game." Little did I realize that Sam Huff would become a 'Skin. After the 'Skins quit playing for the year I would root for whoever appealed. I think the Bears in '63 (?) won only because they played dirty and took out Y A Tittle. Later in the '60s I was a post-season Packer fan. Loved Hornung, Taylor and Starr.

I was also an early fan of the AFL. I liked the Oilers with Blanda, Billy Cannon and Charley Tolar - who put out oil well fires in the off season!