Image via Complex Original
NFL fans who go to games are, as a whole, a good group of people. They show up on Sundays, root for their favorite teams, and then go home once the action is over. But as with any large group of people, there are always a few bad apples in the bunch who try to spoil the fun for everyone. These fans have been ruining the NFL experience for other fans for generations by getting drunk and belligerent, looking for fights, and doing other negative stuff during games.
Today, thanks to the prevalence of smartphones and social media, these fans are, for the most part, no longer anonymous. Videos of them behaving badly are routinely posted to Twitter and Instagram, and stories about them go viral almost every single weekend during the fall. So as the current NFL season winds down, we decided to see which NFL fans behaved the baddest over the last few months. These are The 25 Worst Fans of the 2014-15 NFL Season. Here's to hoping nobody ends up seated next to any of these people next season.
First Round Knockout
Date: 10/26/2014
Fan of the: Jets
What he did wrong: Sent a Bills fan crashing to the ground with a single punch during a game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Jets fans had a lot to be angry about this season. Their team was awful, their general manager John Idzik was under fire for most of the year, and they didn't have much to cheer for. So instead, some Jets fans spent their time fighting in the stands. This poor Bills fan was the recipient of one of the most brutal punches that we saw during NFL games this season.
Out of Line
Date: 12/4/2014
Fan of the: Bears
What he did wrong:Sucker punched a Cowboys fan in the face after he tried to cut a bathroom line at Soldier Field in Chicago
The Dallas fan in this video had to know that this was a bad idea, right? Er, we guess not. He kinda had this coming to him. But still, the Chicago fan couldn't have given him a warning first?
Go Home, You're Drunk
Date: 12/15/2014
Fans of the: Packers and Bills
What they did wrong: Got into a drunken brawl in the parking lot of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo and threw a bunch of punches that didn't really connect
In theory, this fight could have been bad. There were a lot of angry Packers fans and a lot of angry Bills fans involved. But fortunately for them, they were all so hammered that they couldn't see straight and were swinging and hitting nothing but air for the majority of the brawl. No one won and everyone lost.
Deal or No Deal?
Date: 11/2/2014
Fan of the: Steelers
What he did wrong: Identified himself as an IRS agent at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and attempted to bribe police in order to stop them from arresting him
During a Ravens/Steelers game, 29-year-old Stephen Sapp had a little bit too much to drink. So he was asked to leave Heinz Field. But he didn't want to go, so he kicked a metal barrier and accidentally caused it to come off the ground and strike a woman in the head. It knocked her unconscious and Sapp was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
It didn't end there, though. While he was in custody, Sapp also tried to bribe police by telling them that he was an IRS agent and asking them, "How much money will it take to make this go away and to let me go home today?" We don't know if he was really an IRS agent or not. But if he was, he's probably not one anymore.
Come On, Chief
Date: 9/29/2014
Fan of the: Chiefs
What he did wrong:Disrespected a Patriots fan that sat in the middle of a large group of Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City
Did this Pats fan pop a Xanax before he hit Arrowhead for the New England/Kansas City Monday Night Football game? Just kidding, obviously. But how the hell did he remain so calm while he was getting disrespected like this?
Angry Birds
Date: 10/12/2014
Fans of the: Eagles
What they did wrong:Threw beer cans, trash, and whatever else they could get their hands on at a Giants fan who showed up for a game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
Fortunately, the Giants fan took all of the abuse that he received in stride and didn't go after anyone for throwing trash at him. In fact, it looked like he enjoyed himself while it was happening. But Eagles fans have a bad enough reputation as it is when it comes to throwing stuff at other people. So this just felt wrong.
Unnecessary Roughness
Date: 10/5/2014
Fans of the:49ers
What they did wrong:Punched a fellow 49ers fan in the face at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, knocked him unconscious, and caused brain damage and partial paralysis
It's become pretty normal (a little too normal, if you ask us) to see two fans of opposing teams fighting during NFL games. But during this particular fight, it was two fans of the same team squaring off. And it was all over—you ready for this?—a bathroom stall. What a senseless crime. Two brothers Amador and Dario Rebollero were arrested and charged with felony assault following the vicious attack.
He's No Saint
Date: 12/21/2014
Fan of the: Falcons
What he did wrong: Argued with a Saints fan before calling her a "white bitch" in the middle of a game in New Orleans
Both sides were in the wrong here. The Saints fan and the Falcons fan went too far. But our favorite part about this video is that a touchdown takes place during the argument between the fans—and no one reacts or even acknowledges it. You guys paid all that money to score some seats at the Superdome and you aren't even watching the game?! Then again, this was a game between two NFC South teams, so…
You Got Served
Date: 11/31/2014
Fan of the: Bengals
What he did wrong: Punched a Buccaneers fan outside of Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, knocked him into the street, and almost caused him to get run over by a car
To be fair to the Cincinnati fan, he was (sort of) defending a woman in the clip. So we can't fault him for stepping up. But he nearly got the Bucs fan killed by punching him and knocking him down in the middle of a busy street. Kudos to the driver who stopped just short of hitting the man.
Bad News Bears
Date: 10/19/2014
Fan of the: Dolphins or Bears
What he did wrong:Fighting a man who was reportedly "heavily intoxicated" outside of Chicago's Soldier Field and leaving him in critical condition
This fan was never actually found (thus why we can't confirm whether he was a Dolphins or Bears fan). But according to a police report, he or she attacked a 57-year-old Bears fan during a tailgate party and left him "incapacitated" outside of his SUV with injuries to his head and face. The man had to be rushed to a local hospital and treated after the fight took place.
California Love?
Date: 11/16/2014
Fans of the: Chargers and Raiders
What they did wrong:Couldn't stop fighting during a game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland
If you search "chargers raiders fan fight" on YouTube, there are tons of videos like this one that will come up. These two fan bases clearly don't like one another. But they took things to another level this season when 25 Chargers and Raiders fans got arrested during a single game for fighting. Basically, if you like watching Chargers/Raiders games and not having to fear for your life while you do it, you're better off watching them at home.
Have a Seat, Please
Date: 10/27/2014
Fan of the: Cardinals
What he did wrong: Drank a whole lot of alcohol and proceeded to scream and carry on for an entire game against the Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium
Last month, a Chiefs fan was given a warning by the University of Phoenix staff for "Excessive Standing" during a game. Where the hell was the staff to take care of this guy?! Seriously, sit down and STFU, buddy.
Dude, Where's My Leg?
Date: 10/12/2014
Fan of the: Eagles
What she did wrong: Stole a prosthetic leg from a veteran named Sonny Forriest Jr. who regularly sings outside of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
Who steals a prosthetic leg? Apparently, a drunk Eagles fan who wants to celebrate her team's victory over the Giants. The woman swiped the leg and took off with it after she spotted Forriest singing after the game. Fortunately, the leg was found a short time later on a SEPTA subway train. But the heartless woman was never found. At least Sonny got a new song out of it!
Point 'Em Out
Date: 10/5/2014
Fan of the: Lions
What he did wrong: Brought a laser pointer to a game at Ford Field in Detroit and pointed it on the field to distract several players on the Bills
Distracting a cat with a laser pointer is funny. Distracting a bunch of big, angry NFL players? Not so much. One Lions fan found that out the hard way when he used a laser pointer repeatedly during a game. The Lions eventually found out who he was and banned him from all games for the foreseeable future. Oh, and his plan didn't work, either. Despite his distractions, the Lions lost 17-14 to the Bills.
Worldstaaaaaaaaaar!
Date: 9/21/2014
Fans of the:49ers and Cardinals
What they did wrong: Piled on top of one another during a game in Arizona and forced the University of Phoenix Stadium staff to eject a bunch of people
You know a fight is bad when the people who run over to it to try and help stop it end up getting involved in the fight. And it appears as though that was what happened here. The fight started between a group of people sitting in one of the stadium's upper levels. But before long, an entire section of people was involved. And then, people who weren't even around when the fight started got involved, too. The end result was a blood-splattered stairwell and a whole lot of people getting the boot.
Hey, That's Mine!
Date: 11/16/2014
Fan of the: Saints
What he did wrong:Stole a football from a Bengals fan at the Superdome in New Orleans after Cincinnati tight end Jermaine Gresham gave it to her
We've seen this happen a lot during MLB games in the past. A young fan will catch a foul ball only to have an older fan steal it from him or a player will toss a ball to a female only to have the guy sitting next to her steal it. But we'd never seen anything quite like this before. Gresham tried to reward a Bengals fan for showing up at a game in New Orleans. But when he did, an older Saints fan swooped in, stole it, and refused to give it back, even when the woman begged for it. Cold blooded.
Watch Your Eyes
Date: 9/8/2014
Fan of the: Chargers
What he did wrong: Put a Cardinals fan into a headlock at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, caused a big brawl to erupt, and forced security guards to break out the Mace
The Super Bowl is going to be held at University of Phoenix Stadium this year. But something tells us the security guards shown here won't be on duty. They shot a bunch of Mace into the crowd to try and stop a fight. But they wound up hitting both those who were fighting and themselves with it. By the end of this clip, everyone was left clenching their eyes shut and it had nothing to do with what was going on in the game.
Birds of a Feather Don't Always Flock Together
Date: 9/21/2014
Fans of the: Eagles
What they did wrong: Got into a bunch of fights with one another during a game against the Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn't wear an opposing team's gear into a game at Lincoln Financial Field. It's just not a good idea. But apparently, you also have to watch your back even if you're wearing Eagles green. We have no idea what started this series of fights, but it got pretty out of hand and…damn! Look at the guy in the LeSean McCoy jersey go!
Unfriendly Fire
Date: 12/4/2014
Fan of the: Bears
What they did wrong:Attacked two fellow Bears fans in the parking lot at Soldier Field in Chicago after one of the fans said some complimentary about the Packers
Bears fans hate Packers fans. But did you know that they hate them so much that they'll attack their fellow Bears fans for saying something nice about Green Bay? That's what happened last month when a Bears fan said, "The Packers are awesome this year, why can't I be a Packers fan?" after a Bears loss to the Cowboys. According to the fan, two men approached him and his friend, started fighting with them, and eventually stabbed both of them.
"I went to go shake hands [with one of the fans] but as soon as I did, his buddy came up and threw beer at my head," one of the victims said later. "Beer got in my eyes and blinded me. Then everything went downhill."
"You Suck, Brent Celek!"
Date: 10/27/2014
Fan of the: Eagles
What he did wrong:Started a fight with a Cardinals fan in the middle of a game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona
If you're going to wear your favorite NFL team's jersey to a game in an opposing team's stadium, you need to be prepared to deal with people talking trash to you. Eagles fans, of all people, should know that. But the guy in the Brent Celek jersey here clearly wasn't prepared for the hate that was going to come his way in Arizona and overreacted to it. We've gotta agree with the cameraman here: "You suck, Brent Celek, YOU SUCK!"
Pennies for Your Thoughts?
Date: 10/19/2014
Fans of the: Raiders
What they did wrong:Tossed coins and pieces of ice at the Cardinals bench during a game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland
The fans got what they deserved here. After Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett realized what they were doing, he made a sign that said "WORST TEAM IN THE NFL" on it and held it up in their direction for the majority of the fourth quarter. That's such a troll move, and yet, the right move to make when you're dealing with reckless fans.
Behind Enemy Lines
Date: 12/7/2014
Fan of the:49ers
What he did wrong: Got arrested at O.co Coliseum in Oakland after getting beat up by a group of Raiders fans
Know what happens when you show up to a game in Oakland decked out in a Colin Kaepernick jersey? Well, first you get stomped out. Then, you get punched in the face. And finally, you get arrested! Lesson learned: Don't wear an opposing team's jersey to a Raiders game. Or else...
A Christmas Miracle
Date: 12/18/2014
Fans of the: Jaguars
What they did wrong:Nearly got into a fight at a Titans/Jaguars game at EverBank Field in Jacksonville one week before Christmas
The two guys in this video owe the woman who broke up their fight a Christmas gift. They both came thisclose to catching a charge in the middle of a rare Jags win. But she was able to stop them from doing it by reminding them that Christmas was right around the corner. Way to stay off the naughty list, fellas.
Can I Give You Some Advice?
Date: 12/28/2014
Fan of the: Falcons
What he did wrong: Filmed a video outside of the Georgia Dome that featured him offering Atlanta owner Arthur Blank drunken advice for next season before threatening him
For the first minute of this video, the Falcons fan didn't really do anything wrong. Was he drunk? Yes. But he was clearly frustrated with his team's season-ending loss to the Panthers, so we can't blame him for being upset. However, towards the end of the clip, he made a threat against Blank, which is obviously a no-no. Blank didn't do anything about it. But he probably could have if he wanted to. Go easy on the drinks next season, buddy.
Gimme a Hug, Bro!
Date: 11/21/2014
Fan of the: Browns
What he did wrong:Tried to hug Johnny Manziel at a hotel in Cleveland and got punched in the face by someone who was with him
Browns fan Chris Gonos just wanted a hug from Johnny Manziel when he spotted him inside of The 9 hotel in Cleveland on a Friday night back in November. But do you know what you shouldn't do if you want a hug from Johnny Manziel? Walk right him to him and try to hug him. It's just not a good idea. He doesn't know you. You don't know him. And…BAM. Before you know it, there's a fist flying at your face. Gonos apologized later. But we can't help but wonder WTF this guy was thinking.