A Show of Solidarity Among the Fans

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

In light of the Saints and Vikings showing the players unity in regards to the current labor situation, a very respectable poster on the Bills Message Board posted this idea:

"This would take some planning but I know there are people on this board that like to organize things. Anyway, we all saw the players last night showing solidarity before the kickoff. Personally, fine. Good for them. I just wish we, the fans, could do something to show out solidarity and let the powers that are the NFL know that there would be no pro sports without us fans.

Here is my proposal:

In weeks 8, 9 and 10 of the NFL season, (gives time to organize this) fans in every NFL stadium stand before the opening kickoff and turn their back to the field and remain silent.

Just for one play. That's all...just the opening kickoff. I think it would send a strong message...especially in todays economic climate.

Just remind the million and billion-heirs that without the fan, there is no billions to argue over.

Anyone think this is a good or bad idea?

If good...how do we run with this?"

Personally, I think this is a great idea. It is likely too ambitious and I don't know what effect it would have but at the very least I would think it would raise awareness. I would prefer not to lose a football season because millionaires and billionaires are in a disagreement. Not only do I love football, but the implications of losing a season with this specific Falcons regime should make everyone uncomfortable. In our efforts to build a consistently competitive team, it seems that we've entered our window, so losing a year of that seems like a losing proposition for Falcons fans.

I told the poster who came up with the idea that I would post it here. So I'm doing so.

[Return-of-the-Falcon]

Kind of a stupid Idea, in order for them to pull this off, all these "Fans" would have to buy tickets... the owners don't care what else they do after that. Know what I mean?

[USAF HART]

Both very very good points. I would love to follow through with that idea, but at the same time like +1 said, they already have our money. What good would that do? There needs to be a way to show our displeasure BEFORE giving them our money.

[Tandy]

I actually think it would be a very powerful statement.

Forget they already have our money - you are the ones paying the money - the very ones they need to pay attention to.

You've already shown you pay the money - Seller be warned!

Who are you going to listen to more - the guy who never bought from you - or your good customer?

[USAF HART]

I actually think it would be a very powerful statement.

Forget they already have our money - you are the ones paying the money - the very ones they need to pay attention to.

You've already shown you pay the money - Seller be warned!

Who are you going to listen to more - the guy who never bought from you - or your good customer?

d*mn, another good point. This thread is full of them except for me lol.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

I dont think it really matters that you already bought the tickets because:

1) Thats no guarantee that you will CONTINUE to buy tickets

2) It shows that its a legitimate concern for paying fans

3) it makes a statement not only to the owners, but to the players as well.

[Dem Birds]

The only important thing is can it be organized? And the answer is a resounding "No." It can't be. As good an idea as it is and as powerful a statement as it would be, there is no way to get that message out to 70,000 people that you do not know.

[NCFalconfan]

If there is a strike/lockout I'll just do what I did with baseball which is never watch another game. Football is on thin ice with me personally anyway.

[papachaz]

I actually think it would be a very powerful statement.

Forget they already have our money - you are the ones paying the money - the very ones they need to pay attention to.

You've already shown you pay the money - Seller be warned!

Who are you going to listen to more - the guy who never bought from you - or your good customer?

seems I always find myself inclined to +1 Tandy....

[Tandy]

The only important thing is can it be organized? And the answer is a resounding "No." It can't be. As good an idea as it is and as powerful a statement as it would be, there is no way to get that message out to 70,000 people that you do not know.

You spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, message boards, comment logs at newspapers, sports web sites, etc. - and at the games before those games. Out with the tailgaters, parking lots and stadium. You don't wait until the game you plan to do it to let them know.

Here is the thing - if you can get 35,000 to do it - many others will follow suit! More will do it at the next game - and by the last home game - you should have many, many in the stands doing this.

Remember, once it happens at home games - the media will pick it up as well - and it will spread like wildfire.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

You spread the word via Twitter, Facebook - and at the games before those games. Out with the tailgaters, parking lots and stadium. You don't wait until the game you plan to do it to let them know.

Here is the thing - if you can get 35,000 to do it - many others will follow suit! More will do it at the next game - and by the last home game - you should have many, many in the stands doing this.

Remember, once it happens at home games - the media will pick it up as well - and it will spread like wildfire.

Especially with a 8-10 week lead time....I think it could be organized and I dont think it takes much to get some media coverage.

[TdotFalcon]

I love the idea but without media on board there is no way that this could happen.

Best case scenario is that 10000 fans turn their backs and the rest of the fans would be like wtf

[Dem Birds]

Well, yeah, if you do ALL of that lol. Sounds like a lot of trouble though lol.

[Tandy]

Well, yeah, if you do ALL of that lol. Sounds like a lot of trouble though lol.

Yeah, but it might just have a big impact - if it happens at some of those stadiums, - especially Cowboys, Patriots, Carolina and Broncos. Those 4 owners are the ones who won't even come to an agreement with the other owners. They are the ones who want this thing totally changed - but the owners can't agree.

[USAF HART]

What if we started it week 1, and then it spread like a Wild fire, and then ON WORLD WIDE TV DURING THE SUPERBOWL, EVERYONE had their backs turned. There were no camera flashes, no noises, no nothing.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

I think the best idea to get media involved would to be to look at the guys who have written on the situation in terms that are sympathetic to the fans.

We can go with Florio from PFT, Peter King, Michael Silver, Jason Whitlock and even Bill Simmons....guys that are more open to the public.

[Padawan Knight]

You spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, message boards, comment logs at newspapers, sports web sites, etc. - and at the games before those games. Out with the tailgaters, parking lots and stadium. You don't wait until the game you plan to do it to let them know.

Here is the thing - if you can get 35,000 to do it - many others will follow suit! More will do it at the next game - and by the last home game - you should have many, many in the stands doing this.

Remember, once it happens at home games - the media will pick it up as well - and it will spread like wildfire.

Don't forget the last minute sharing as well. 1 fan telling everyone within earshot around him at the stadium prior to the kickoff could sometimes get more people to participate than all the other outlets. It's certainly do-able. The question is, are the fans willing to make the statement, or are they really just happy to have something to gripe about...

[phattywankenobi]

I love the idea since many people have already bought their season tickets so they aren't going to boycott. The problem in Atlanta is you can't get everybody to show up on time or make noise on 3rd downs. As many hardcore Falcons fans there are there are just as many not so savvy football fans. Turn around, what fer? I wanna see da kickoff.

[NCFalconfan]

Why not just turn it off/don't go if you want to make a statement? Lower ratings and lower attendance will speak louder than PAYING fans doing any sort of demonstration in the stands.

[kibitzer]

Kind of a stupid Idea, in order for them to pull this off, all these "Fans" would have to buy tickets... the owners don't care what else they do after that. Know what I mean?

[DirtyBirdSupabowl]

With the huge impact writers have now a days this could be done. If you were to send this to a bunch of writers or "tweet" this to them then it could be sent out all over the internet in minutes. But whatever is going to happen something needs to be done to prevent a lockout.

[Tandy]

OK, I nearly wet my pants over this. I'm soo stealing it!

[JKH5785]

I would do it, but I'm thinking it would be hard to get everyone in the stadium to per take.

It's already like pulling teeth just trying to get people to cheer and be loud, or even bloody stand up!

[~SEAMILL~]

You spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, message boards, comment logs at newspapers, sports web sites, etc. - and at the games before those games. Out with the tailgaters, parking lots and stadium. You don't wait until the game you plan to do it to let them know.

Here is the thing - if you can get 35,000 to do it - many others will follow suit! More will do it at the next game - and by the last home game - you should have many, many in the stands doing this.

Remember, once it happens at home games - the media will pick it up as well - and it will spread like wildfire.

Agreed. Sports writers like our own DLED would run with it. We can communicate with those types like never before. ****, I would even let him know to expect it via his twitter or facebook.

[~SEAMILL~]

I would do it, but I'm thinking it would be hard to get everyone in the stadium to per take.

It's already like pulling teeth just trying to get people to cheer and be loud, or even bloody stand up!

or in our case most people would not even be in their seats until after the first quarter.