Football subsidized by tax payers

VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE
Johann Wagener  9-13-13

Professional football games are not open to the public like your local neighborhood park. They are private venues whose owners charge a handsome amount (up to $500.00) and generate billions of dollars in profits from people who want this kind of entertainment. And, there's plenty of them.

It's also a given that people that attend these war-like, winner take all spectacles have what might be called a bad case of "blood lust". Not much different than  the hoards that filled Roman Coliseums to rave at people ripping off heads, arms, and legs.

Given that combination it's not rocket science to predict violence; both on and off the field, at these debacles. So, why would we expect tax dollars to be used to promote these events by assigning police officers to play hide-and-seek with fans in order to bust them for doing what most of those attending are there to experience?

Undercover Cops to Wear Opposing Team Jerseys at Seahawks Games

Beginning at Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle police officers will be placed throughout the stadium looking to bust fans that are drunk, harassing other spectators, throwing items on the field or engaging in “behavior that is unruly, disruptive or illegal,” according to a statement by the team.

“We have great fans,” said Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin. “Our goal is to ensure a safe environment for all in attendance, including visiting team fans.”

The effort follows similar undercover operations at other stadiums, police said, as well as an NFL-wide crackdown on safety that includes a recent ban on carrying purses and backpacks into stadiums.

Taxpayers expect that their money will go to keeping the peace, not promoting violence and that their police force will be protecting our streets and neighborhoods, not private gatherings. Using that logic, the next time you have a party at your home and expect some trouble you should be able to request a team of undercover cops to hang out at no charge to you. 

The NFL creates the atmosphere where violence is glorified and cheered. They should then also be morally and financially responsible to clean up the mess it creates.