Sure you have that right, just people have the right to feel like they do about seeing 1000's of people file out the stadium after the INT. It works both ways.
To all the fans that left early......thanks for nothing!
- Thread starter dabamafan
- Start date
Instead of a knee jerk response at the beginning, I decided to read the comments on here to see what the reasoning was for several thousand people to file out of the stadium during a game of this magnitude. Seems a lot of people use the extreme temperatures as a reason, so let's compare it to the Miss St. game last year when it was the exact opposite and brutally cold. I don't recall seeing anyone leave early as opposed to 10 - 15 thousand hitting the gate mostly at the same time (Coker INT).
So, what was the difference? The obvious answer is we were winning against Miss St and everyone was happy. Saturday the case was the MAJORITY of people that left had given up on the team and decided to pack it in. As others have pointed out it looked horrible on the TV clips and reflects badly, although I don't think terribly, on the fan base. More importantly, as Coach Saban has said repeatedly, the players need the support of the fans. I have been going to Bama games for over 35 years and there is definitely a difference in the commitment of fans today, and that can probably be said about every program...But do we want to be like the South Carolinas of the world??
I was at the the MTSU game sitting in Section G and half the row was empty and the only 3 real roars I remember hearing was for Sweet Home Alabama, Dixieland Delight and the blocked punt for safety. I get that to some degree and my friend commented it won't be this way next week. My point is - the players need us to support them no matter the situation.
For me it's a 14 hour round trip to T-Town and you can bet the farm I am in the stadium early and am one of the last ones to leave. To me that is what a fan is. To those that feel differently and are entitled to do whatever they please...Fine, but several thousand people leaving at one time was no coincidence.
RTR
So, what was the difference? The obvious answer is we were winning against Miss St and everyone was happy. Saturday the case was the MAJORITY of people that left had given up on the team and decided to pack it in. As others have pointed out it looked horrible on the TV clips and reflects badly, although I don't think terribly, on the fan base. More importantly, as Coach Saban has said repeatedly, the players need the support of the fans. I have been going to Bama games for over 35 years and there is definitely a difference in the commitment of fans today, and that can probably be said about every program...But do we want to be like the South Carolinas of the world??
I was at the the MTSU game sitting in Section G and half the row was empty and the only 3 real roars I remember hearing was for Sweet Home Alabama, Dixieland Delight and the blocked punt for safety. I get that to some degree and my friend commented it won't be this way next week. My point is - the players need us to support them no matter the situation.
For me it's a 14 hour round trip to T-Town and you can bet the farm I am in the stadium early and am one of the last ones to leave. To me that is what a fan is. To those that feel differently and are entitled to do whatever they please...Fine, but several thousand people leaving at one time was no coincidence.
RTR
I honestly think this is a logical result of what has happened to big time college football. Ticket prices and access to tickets have become so costly and exclusive you get a larger majority of these type of customers. I don't call them fans because they are certainly are not fanatic. You also get a ton of customers like a friend of mine. He has been on the list so long and has enough money and clout that he buys tickets to sell. Alabama football is as much a business for him as it is a pass time.
If the University wants fans in the seats they need to sell more tickets to fans. There are plenty of ways of doing this. If they continue down the route of trying to get the most money for the tickets possible you are going to get more customers who spend a lot of money to sit and watch a product and feel entitled to do what they want.
If the University wants fans in the seats they need to sell more tickets to fans. There are plenty of ways of doing this. If they continue down the route of trying to get the most money for the tickets possible you are going to get more customers who spend a lot of money to sit and watch a product and feel entitled to do what they want.
Last edited:
I disagree that people would have hung around if the score had been reversed. I've seen the stands empty out plenty of times when we had a big lead, even in nice weather. Texas A&M last year comes to mind (and FWIW I was there for the Rammer Jammer). I am more inclined to cut people some slack for these ridiculous late starts, however. College football games should not last till nearly midnight local time. If you don't have an extra $750 laying around to pay the two night minimum at a motel in Tuscaloosa (assuming you can get a reservation) you are driving into the wee hours of the morning, especially if you are leaving with the crowd.
Yes, ESPN pays the league a lot of money, but there should be some limits. And getting a game in "prime time" as they like to say doesn't apply here. Was on the east coast on Saturday for work. A kick off after 9:20 p.m. does not put the game in prime time. First half, maybe.
Yes, ESPN pays the league a lot of money, but there should be some limits. And getting a game in "prime time" as they like to say doesn't apply here. Was on the east coast on Saturday for work. A kick off after 9:20 p.m. does not put the game in prime time. First half, maybe.
THIS
If you want to leave early, it's your life and your decision. Don't get upset if you get judged as fair weather though.
I started attending Alabama games at 13 (19 years ago). I was lucky enough to have a best friend who's Dad got tickets to almost every home game. My family was always too poor for that, and while his wasn't rich they were far better off then I knew. We went to games at Legion Field, BDS, and even on the road. I sat through the end of Stallings tenure, the Dubose and Shula eras, and fortunate enough to be enjoying the Saban era as well.
We once sat in the rain to watch us lose to Mississippi State by nearly three TD's, in the midst of a 3-8 season. The game never really was close.
The one thing we never did, leave early.
I know some of you right now are formulating your responses as to why it's okay to leave early, and like I said it's your choice do as you please. But I wasn't raised that way. I was told by my friend's Dad that we didn't leave early, no matter the score, or the distance to travel, or the weather. We stayed til the end, we were gracious in a win or a loss, and we cheered our team even when they weren't playing well. He taught me that's what it was to be an Alabama fan, and I will pass it along to my son too.
So for every one of you that think it's crazy that we get a little upset when people start filing out, just remember that although it's just a game to us it's more than ticket prices or donations. It's more than wins and losses. It's more than being seen at BDS. It's probably how we were raised, and by god we wouldn't have it any other way.
**please note, real emergencies exempt you from pretty much any ire I may have. I know some have a real reason behind leaving and I'm not trying to be negative towards you.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
You know I always enjoy reading your posts but on this one I just have to disagree. I was raised not to judge others and while I often fail I try to stick to that. And I wouldn't have it any other way either.
I understand what you're saying, and actually agree. My judgement of someone on a level of fandom doesn't mean I'm judging them as a bad person. I find the two things to be completely different.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
I'm confused at how people who didn't go to the game, can be upset at the folks that went and left early.
If everyone stayed home it would have looked really bad. I don't know a fan base in the world that has not had people leave games early for, one reason or another.
If everyone stayed home it would have looked really bad. I don't know a fan base in the world that has not had people leave games early for, one reason or another.
I agree. The people who could got to bed right after the game, who didn't have to fight traffic, and didn't have a two hour or longer drive need to quit complaining.
SIAP, but I've read at least one player tweet complaining about the fans leaving early. They notice and do care. If you leave early I agree it's your right, and I'd rather have all young'ns, elderly folks, etc. even if they have to leave early. If you are an able-bodied person, please weigh whether 30-60 minutes of convenience for you is worth possibly affecting the outcome.
Personally, none of this has to cross my mind because I enjoy staying. If the game is out of hand, you get to see all the players you otherwise don't see. If it isn't, well who wants to miss a chance like Saturday's near-comeback?
Personally, none of this has to cross my mind because I enjoy staying. If the game is out of hand, you get to see all the players you otherwise don't see. If it isn't, well who wants to miss a chance like Saturday's near-comeback?
Maybe because a whole lot of people would have gladly gone to the game if the option were available. These games are expensive and Alabama fans are spread across the globe.
I get the motivation behind some people who leave early. I really do. And while it doesn't matter what I think, I don't "fault" them for doing it. It's just NOT my cup of tea. I'm fortunate enough to go to home games, and one or two road games each year. I see it as an obligation to support the team until the final whistle, whatever the outcome.
Just think for a minute.....it HAS to negatively affect the team to see a large group of fans leaving early. And I know nobody wants to negatively affect the team. So all I ask is next time that situation presents itself, think twice before you pop up and exit early. If you still feel compelled to go, go. Your prerogative. Just think twice about it. RTR!
Just think for a minute.....it HAS to negatively affect the team to see a large group of fans leaving early. And I know nobody wants to negatively affect the team. So all I ask is next time that situation presents itself, think twice before you pop up and exit early. If you still feel compelled to go, go. Your prerogative. Just think twice about it. RTR!
Yes, people can attend, stay until the end, or leave early as they choose. But let's be clear, the scene Saturday was totally different from the normal fans that tend to leave early to get a jump on traffic. IMO, neither is acceptable, but what happened Saturday was different. When you hear the collective groans at the interception, see cups being thrown down, and a mass of people rushing for the exits, it is clear that a good portion of the fans have given up on the team. In my section, F which directly behind the team, it was so bad that I was able to recline and put my feet up during the commercials.
This was not the first game to start late at night and it won't be the last. The previous times the fans did not bolt, probably because we were winning. The sad thing is, with the make up of the fans in the stands lately, I believe if the game started at 2:30, those same fans would have bolted for the exits. To me, that does not show fan support and is the definition of a "fair weather" fan.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
This was not the first game to start late at night and it won't be the last. The previous times the fans did not bolt, probably because we were winning. The sad thing is, with the make up of the fans in the stands lately, I believe if the game started at 2:30, those same fans would have bolted for the exits. To me, that does not show fan support and is the definition of a "fair weather" fan.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
In the cold you can put on many layers to warm up, but in heat you are limited on what you can take off. Bad example
The reason the fans have been leaving early over the past couple of seasons is the traffic. The Bruno Event team is incompetent and useless. They have maps that show you the flow of traffic but then decide to send you a different way. I know it is a lot of people to leave but if they would move all of the stupid cones and actually let people drive on the roads maybe it wouldn't take so long to get home. Then I think more people would stay for the whole game. Just for the record I use to never leave early. The Bruno Event team changed that.
One thing nobody can really dispute, it looks horrible when fans are lined up for the exits because we are losing.
I totally have to disagree with this. I have been a season ticket holder for over 35 years and the traffic out of Tuscaloosa after a game has always been atrocious and certain fans have always left early. Until the last couple of years, it would always take at least 3 hours just to get to B'ham, now it's down to 2 hours or less.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I hate for people to leave early but I can say I really didn't notice them leaving until the interception Coker threw with just under 3 minutes to go. I even went on Jon Solomon's FB page and posted "people did not leave in droves because I was there." Oh well, I guess I was too focused on what was going on the field and just didn't notice every one leaving. There wasn't a lot in my section that left (that I saw) but there was some.
Anyway Roll Tide!
Anyway Roll Tide!
Latest threads
-
-
-
-
The First "America First" Movement should tell you all you need to know about the Second one
- Started by 81usaf92
- Replies: 28