Pavlik on Wrong End of “Upset of the Year”
December 19, 2008Ilgauskas Digs Thin Air, Three-Ball
December 20, 2008Though the Browns still have one more home game remaining, you all can take pride in the fact that you actually topped last year’s production! While the win total may not have exactly – you know – improved, one metric of team “success” did: fan arrests.
Last season, Cleveland Browns stadium saw a vast increase in arrests and ejections as opposed to 2006. Check out these numbers:
1999-2008 arrests and ejections at Cleveland Browns Stadium
1999: 50 arrests/109 ejections
2000: 37/60
2001: 50/75
2002: 56/187
2003: 45/138
2004: 66/195
2005: 86/308
2006: 61/181
2007: 112/728
The team says that the increase is due to last year’s sudden “crack down” on disorderly behavior. But did you let that stop you!? Heck no! While the ejections are not even near last year’s levels, the Cleveland Police Department has been just as busy as 2007 with 113 reported arrests through December 1st of this current season.
And if you think that number will remain in tact, think again. Stadium officials are anticipating a relatively rough environment this Sunday, and quite frankly, they should.
In such a dismal season, the home portion of which ends against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, season ticket-holders are more inclined to give their seats away or just stay home. That can mean a house more populated with frustrated fans and football amateurs more intent on partying than following the action on the field.
“I don’t know what kind of crowd we’re going to get,” Cleveland Police Commander Thomas McCartney said, addressing a roomful of officers and the [Dawg Squad] at roll call hours before the Indianapolis game. “When the record gets like this, you just don’t know.”
I admit that there are plenty of people who surprisingly make it though the gates of Browns Stadium when they appear like it is difficult for them to even stand. At near eight bucks a pop for a domestic beer inside the stadium, the goal-oriented and economically-educated fans that Browns fans are attempt to drink as much as possible before heading to the main gate. Impressive as it may be, it does become a bit much at times as the appearance of previously swallowed bratwurst is not exactly the best thing to view when trudging to your seat.
Be that as it may, we could use this as another reason to speak poorly of the 2008 season. See, Browns, it’s your fault the arrest totals are going up! Win some games and fans will actually enjoy being inside the stadium as opposed to getting a free ride home from Cleveland’s finest.
14 Comments
I’m really surprised I havent been arrested at a Browns game yet.
My buddy’s dad has gotten a few letters about “people” in his seats acting a bit on the, um, disorderly side. Needless to say, he was not the most thrilled…
That’s pretty impressive….hopefully Roger Goodell will be in attendance when the Browns break their franchise arrest record
Wearing one of those old timey leather helmets should be an arrestable offense.
@Bryan:
no way man! those things are awesome!
i’m also a fan of my 1978 full face winter cap with built in visor… its pretty much the sweetest thing ever.
…wait, after further review, i find that THIS hat is pretty much the sweetest thing ever:
http://www.triple-tri.com/ttblog/media/blogs/triple/beardcap.jpg
“I don’t know what kind of crowd we’re going to get,” Cleveland Police Commander Thomas McCartney said…
Oh really? I do.
A pissed off crowd, that’s what you’re gonna get.
Scott – do we know what the NFL record is for consecutive quarters without an offensive touchdown? I couldn’t find it online. That might be a fun follow-up record to the record we set last week for longest interception return that didn’t result in a touchdown.
awful fans = awful team. even when Cleveland was/is good most people I see at the games go to drink…
@mendy
I have to agree with you about the BeardCap. It is incredible.
Uhh, thanks for that bratwurst imagery.
BeardCap retails for $135!!!! That is almost as disappointing as this season.
Both teams suck this weekend But Cincy will CRUSH The Stains in the puppy kennel Sunday……Cincy will then leave with the Series Lead and another Dagger in The Stains Heart….lmao…..Later LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSER”s
It’s hilarious that a fan of a team that’s 2-11-1 is talking smack.
Teh Intertube rulz.
IF IT’S BROWN ………… FLUSH IT DOWN