Mike Holmgren vs. the Hoopleheads
Browns GM Mike Holmgren delivered an overdue message to a certain segment of Browns fans who frequent Cleveland Browns Stadium on game days:
Grow up.
In an interview with The Plain Dealer earlier this week, Holmgren said the team will work to eliminate the hoopleheads that try to turn parts of the Stadium into Thunderdome:
“In the Mike Holmgren Era, which officially began this weekend with the opening of Browns training camp, fans will be enthusiastic and supportive.
“Not aggressive or obscene. Not spilling beers or vehemently taunting opposing fans. Not being obnoxious or offensive.
“After hearing too many stories of longtime season-ticket holders not renewing seats because they were disgusted with the behavior of out-of-hand fans at Browns Stadium, Holmgren is taking his first steps in overhauling the culture of the Browns organization by making a simple request: Please behave, Browns fans.
“Make Browns Stadium a difficult place for opponents to play, but don’t make it a place where some of Cleveland’s own fans won’t attend games because of disgust with your behavior.”
Now I took Holmgren’s comments to mean the team will enforce the existing rules on fan conduct; they’re not looking to turn the Stadium into a Gestapo-like police state. But not everyone agrees.
Taking a look at various sites that picked up on the story, and from the comments on the PD’s site, there’s a segment of Browns fans who think Holmgren is off his rocker. The opposition can be boiled down to “that’s the way we’ve always acted,” “that’s what Browns fan do” and “it’s my right to act that way because I bought a ticket.”
Thankfully, I haven’t come across anyone saying “that’s how we do it in the 216.”
Reading those comments make it all the more clear that Holmgren is on the right path here. “It’s always been that way” isn’t a good excuse. Just because you want to act like a feral animal doesn’t mean the rest of us want to go along. And buying a ticket only gives you the right to attend the game, not do anything you want once you pass through the gate.
If fans can’t police themselves in their behavior, then someone has to act as the adult in the room and, under Holmgren, that someone is going to be team security.
After all, we don’t want to be confused with Jets fans, do we?
In some ways, it’s refreshing that Holmgren has the time to deal with this issue. No contract holdouts, no silly quarterback battles, no horrific training camp injuries, staph infections, controversial bus rides or any other of the various nonsenses that have plagued the Browns over the past decade are present this year, and that’s so nice.
For some other viewpoints on the subject, be sure to visit Waiting For Next Year and Cleveland Frowns.
Red Right 88 