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Overall thrown out of Bull Pen

aj. said:
I just don't want this campaign, as worthy as it is, to backfire at the expense of other sections in the stadium. If people in other sections want to get up an yell without 'usher persecution,' then they should be able to get up and yell. There's several thousand of us in other parts of the stadium that don't want to be told to sit down either. I think formal 'zoning' of fan conduct is a mistake and I would hate to see tighter enforcement of written rules that draw attention to 'standing encouraged' in only two sections of the stadium. Let it happen naturally and it will happen everywhere, once the winning comes.

There's precedent for ***** and backfire. We campaigned loudly about getting reserved parking to alleviate the chaos (fun) that accompanied 'getting there early to get your favorite tailgate spot' and what happened? They jacked up the prices 75%, called it Platinum and essentially killed one of the best tailgate areas outside Reliant.

I hope the save Overalls thing is resolved to the safisfaction of everyone who likes to get up and yell. If everyone else is standing, one Stub Hub seat in the mix won't have a leg to stand on. They'll have to do like the Romans. And like Gump said, 'that's all I have to say about that.'
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Absolutely agree. (Except for that Platinum stuff--I like the Platinum lot because the reserved spaces make it less tense to get your spot, and because you have the same neighbors in exactly the same spots, you get to know them better).

When I wrote the Texans, I told them that if they are looking at policies for the future, their policy, stadium wide should be that fans uphappy about standers in front of them should be offered alternative seating but that we shouldn't have ushers pressuring standers to sit down if they are standing in front of their seat.

Ultimately, I agree with your point that the fans in general will go crazier when the team wins more consistently.

As someone who has sat in seats all over the stadium, the Bull Pen side of the stadium is louder, and they do tend to stand up more. The SEZ isn't a bunch of golf clappers, but the Bull Pen folks are a little louder.

I find the marketing of the Grid Iron Texas to be offensive--I understand why they are doing it--but it is rude to say that those fans are some how more fanatic than other fans. (Especially when they used Bull Pen pictures to market that section).

I do think, that marketing is something that can help with your fanbase.

Some of the marketing efforts that the Texans have done have brought fans closer together. Apparently, they ditched the ultimate fan contest, but that contest was one of many events that diehard fans got to know each other better even when they sit in different parts of the stadium. They've encouraged tailgating. People make fun of the Battle Red Days as a way of selling jerseys, but they sure do win a lot wearing that, and it is always nice seeing the stadium awash in red.

Yeah, some of their marketing is a little excessive, and changes based on whatever the most recent person in charge thinks is a good idea. And it certainly doesn't have the effect that winning does. But I do think it is a good idea to try to spread good will and connections with the team, even when there ain't playoffs happening.
 
Sucks to be you Overalls... sitting up there in that North End Zone trying to have a good time and a yellow jacket tries to start crap and you are there alone with no other supporters battling with you. If it was in the "dark side" and the yellow jacket was doing something that wasnt right he/she would have a face full of fans telling them where to go.

Your fellow Bull Pen friends should have stepped up when it was happening forcing the ticker broker seaters to take a hike. I'm sure it would have been all over the radios, TV, and in McNairs face if he saw the entire Bull Pen walk the F out of that joint and something would have been done.

Down here in our "golf clapping dark side" zone this crap wouldn't have been tolerated.

And do y'all not know the yellow jacket for your section? We've had the same one for years, asking us for autographs when we are on the front page and I seriously doubt this would've even begin to happen.. she would've told them to stand up if they want to watch the game.

BTW, we are louder than y'all. TEXANS!
 
^^^^^^^Ignore post. An attempt to take this thread a different direction^^^^^^^


Overalls, TC and BullPenners, keep fighting the good fight.

***************************************************

Also Blue Crewers, we need to make sure that we voice our opinions of the parking nazis too.
 
Texans_Chick said:
Absolutely agree. (Except for that Platinum stuff--I like the Platinum lot because the reserved spaces make it less tense to get your spot, and because you have the same neighbors in exactly the same spots, you get to know them better).

.
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You must park around the perimeter somewhere. I park just across the concrete barriers in Blue and the middle of that lot is pretty empty until about the time we start putting up our tailgate stuff. I will agree on the less troublesome (not sure if tense is the right word) aspect to get your your spot. But the tailgate environment in that lot is nowhere what it used to be when everyone over there tailgated. Having 'your' spot is a nice thing.

Now back to your regularly scheduled Overalls programming.
 
eric138 said:
Down here in our "golf clapping dark side" zone this crap wouldn't have been tolerated.
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If it came over that I was calling the dark side golf clappers. I am sorry. That was not my intention. Since I am a vagabond tailgater, I frequent a tailgate by "Darke Siders" as well as my Blue Crew buddies. If anything I meant the opposite. I know that there is a large segment of that section that are just as rabid as any other section in the stadium including the Bull Pen. I meant that MOST of us chose where we sit for different reason but that doesn't mean that any of us are wrong for choosing to sit where we did. None of us are lesser fans just because we chose not to sit in the Bull Pen, but IF a section is promoted and labeled as a place where a rabid fan can feel free to act a little nuts, we should be able to act a little nuts. By golf clappers I did not mean any one section of the stadium. I have seen them in the Bull Pen also. Just as I believe that just because you are in a club seat doesn't mean you aren't screaming your head off.

:fans:
 
and y'all should act nuts.. thats one of the reason i stayed away from that area when we got our seats, we knew it would be crazy up there... because it should be.
 
Here is the definitive answer on standing I received today.

We appreciate your suggestions and we are working on our 2008 season. Fans may stand directly in front of their seat during any point of the game. We want to create noise to be the home field advantage. The usher’s cannot force a fan to sit or escort them out for standing directly in front of their seat. We will forward your email to the Marketing Department because they are continuously looking for new ideas to improve the game day experience. Thank you again and we look forward to next season!
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That is their story and they are sticking to it. Standing lives! Overalls should receive the Texans version of a purple heart. :heart:
 
Buffi2 said:
Here is the definitive answer on standing I received today.



That is their story and they are sticking to it. Standing lives! Overalls should receive the Texans version of a purple heart. :heart:
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OKay... Someone quick; copy, paste and make 70,000+ copies. Every fan should carry it in their back pocket.
 
Texan_Bill said:
OKay... Someone quick; copy, paste and make 70,000+ copies. Every fan should carry it in their back pocket.
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I thought about that as well but I didn't see anyone's name on the e-mail so I haven't gotten excited about it yet.
 
Tedc said:
I thought about that as well but I didn't see anyone's name on the e-mail so I haven't gotten excited about it yet.
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There was no signature - just Go Texans...That way everyone can always say, "He did it." and point to the first person they see.
 
The latest e-mail


Overalls,

We are speaking with the usher regarding this incident. In other areas of the Stadium sometimes the ushers will speak to the person standing if other fans are complaining but should not force the fan to sit or call security if the fan is only standing directly in front of his seat. Going forward we will make sure that the ushers in the Bull Pen are more informed. We are also looking forward to the 2008 season and if you have any suggestions regarding the Bull Pen please let us know. We are looking into different signage in the area regarding standing. Please visit guest services during the game if you need assistance or have any questions. Thank you and have a great day!



GO TEXANS!
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We are speaking with the usher regarding this incident. In other areas of the Stadium sometimes the ushers will speak to the person standing if other fans are complaining but should not force the fan to sit or call security if the fan is only standing directly in front of his seat. Going forward we will make sure that the ushers in the Bull Pen are more informed. We are also looking forward to the 2008 season and if you have any suggestions regarding the Bull Pen please let us know. We are looking into different signage in the area regarding standing. Please visit guest services during the game if you need assistance or have any questions. Thank you and have a great day!
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No no and no. Except for you having a great day.

Ushers should never tell fans to sit down anywhere in the stadium. Ever. Nevereverever.

Usually if someone goes to the trouble of telling an usher, they have already said something to the person in front of them. Having the usher say it too encourages the wrong thing. It send a horrible message to encourage people to be bad fans.

People should be encouraged to stand everywhere in the stadium.

If someone lazybones semi-fan tattles to an usher, then the usher should offer the lazybone nacho eater a more sedate area of the stadium. The usher shouldn't try to tell someone to sit down at a FOOTBALL GAME. It's insanity!!!
 
Well, the good news is that they are taking my idea of a sign - the bad news is that this lovely "signage" will only be in the Bull Pen area. They should plaster that puppy all over the stadium.:cowboy1: At this rate, I'm going to become best friends with whomever is in charge of fans vs nacho eaters cuz I am certainly going to email and clarify this little oversight.

I still think Overalls deserves a signed jersey at the very least.
 
Wow, I wonder how much of this problem would disappear if the ticket owners were actual people and not corporate entities? If every seat in the place was owned by people who live and die with the team like we all do?
Too bad that that's probably never going to happen, but it's nice to dream!

There are many more facets of this discussion I'd like to get involved in, but I like my gig too much.

Winning and being successful as a franchise will hopefully make this problem go away. And hopefully it will happen VERY soon!

Just out of curiosity, what was it like in the Bull Pen (and other parts of the stadium) when we played Indy with our sparkling 2-0 record this year? From my perspective, the place was totally electric, especially at the beginning of the game. Loudest I remember since 19-10. Were the tea and crumpets non-fans behaving the same way then?
 
Texans_Chick said:
People should be encouraged to stand everywhere in the stadium.
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People attending sporting events, especially football games, should understand that standing is part of the deal whether it's all the time, on 3rd downs, or on big plays.

Fans should never be forced to sit down unless they are being a-holes, in which case they should be escorted outside or to the drunk tank. Signs regulating standing in only two sections of a stadium is a bad precedent.

Self-regulation works and is still the best solution in my opinion.
 
aj. said:
Signs regulating standing in only two sections of a stadium is a bad precedent.
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I agree. Once you put up a sign saying "XYZ is permitted here" it becomes assumed that it is not allowed elsewhere.

If they do put up signs in the BullPen, it should just be simple....Something like:

WARNING: You are entering the BullPen. This section is not for the faint of heart. See an usher if you wish to be re-seated.

or maybe something like this:
WARNING: Enter the BullPen at your own risk.
 
Overalls said:
The latest e-mail
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Funny thing is that when I got home from the game, I was so mad I had to send out a e-mails first thing when I got home after unloading the car. I sent e-mails to 4 different people with the Texans and one (reporter). The reporter sent a message back very quickly that he/she "would make sure it was sent to the right people".

I have not heard a peep since.

It is a great thing for the Bull Pen that they intend some sort of signage and training but it sucks for those not fortunate to sit in the rowdy section that is the REAL birthplace of the home field advantage.

I will always support ALL football fans to be able to stand and cheer as one and have sent out an e-mail to support that. :texflag:

Maybe as AJ said...it may happen as the team starts winning.
 
Tedc said:
It is a great thing for the Bull Pen that they intend some sort of signage and training but it sucks for those not fortunate to sit in the rowdy section that is the REAL birthplace of the home field advantage.
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*sigh* We have a "homefield advantage"? :um:

Seriously, not dogging the Bull Pen or any other section, but I've seen our defense give up first downs on too many 3rd and longs to count.

"Homefield advantage" ONLY works when you have a good team. Otherwise, it's just a pithy slogan used to sell tickets or puff your chest out about.

Too bad it doesn't really exist in Reliant Stadium. Not yet, anyway.
 
Double Barrel said:
*sigh* We have a "homefield advantage"? :um:

Seriously, not dogging the Bull Pen or any other section, but I've seen our defense give up first downs on too many 3rd and longs to count.

"Homefield advantage" ONLY works when you have a good team. Otherwise, it's just a pithy slogan used to sell tickets or puff your chest out about.

Too bad it doesn't really exist in Reliant Stadium. Not yet, anyway.
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Actually, the Texans were a pretty good team at home this year.

The road, on the other hand, was sorta scary at times.
 
For people that want to sit the whole game, I recommend sitting on aisle/row A, then nobody will stand up in front of you. There's also a thing called a couch, I have used it many times, more than being at the game, and I have to say nobody stood up in front of me.
 
Texans_Chick said:
Actually, the Texans were a pretty good team at home this year.
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I do not dispute this fact, but I do not believe the wins were a result of our fan initiated "homefield advantage". There were too many empty seats from no-shows, too many golf clappers, and too many folks leaving before the games were over. Heck, there were maybe 10,000 fans in the stadium watching Sage's dramatic 4th qtr. comeback against the Titans. And sorry, Bull Pen, but your numbers were depleted by the end of that game as much as any other part of the stadium. If you folks want to be the hardcore fanatics driving the bus, I'd expect to see the overwhelming majority of you staying until 0:00 is on the clock for every game.
 
Double Barrel said:
I do not dispute this fact, but I do not believe the wins were a result of our fan initiated "homefield advantage". There were too many empty seats from no-shows, too many golf clappers, and too many folks leaving before the games were over. Heck, there were maybe 10,000 fans in the stadium watching Sage's dramatic 4th qtr. comeback against the Titans. And sorry, Bull Pen, but your numbers were depleted by the end of that game as much as any other part of the stadium. If you folks want to be the hardcore fanatics driving the bus, I'd expect to see the overwhelming majority of you staying until 0:00 is on the clock for every game.
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Hey but we are a pretty loud bunch of 10,000 fans banging them seats. :cool:
 
We will need to check all false start stats in each area of the feild to make any analysys of home feild advantage or not. I do know almost every game there were several false starts in the red zone N endzone for the oposing team. I also know I have heard that this stadium is one of the loudest in the NFL. I know for sure Bill and I had that #62 for the Jags petrified to come to the Bull Pen.

I think we need to get together and create the echo affect in the stadium. Bull Pen: MARIO Quietzone: MARIO Goat Herders: MARIO

Get the picture
 
Joe Texan said:
I think we need to get together and create the echo affect in the stadium. Bull Pen: MARIO Quietzone: MARIO Goat Herders: MARIO

Get the picture
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Great idea, man! :thumbup

And I am in no way dismissing the Bull Pen. You folks consistently make some noise when the action is on your end of the field. It's nice to hear, and I hope it's contagious as the team experiences more success. I've always hoped that Houstonians could find their inner "house of pain" for the Texans.
 
Texans_Chick said:
Hey but we are a pretty loud bunch of 10,000 fans banging them seats. :cool:
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Well, there you go!!! If it was that loud for 10,000, and it was because I was still hanging from the roof 'til 0:00, then imagine 70,000 fans standing and 70,000 fans banging those seats.

OK, how 'bout 45,000?
 
Speedy said:
Well, there you go!!! If it was that loud for 10,000, and it was because I was still hanging from the roof 'til 0:00, then imagine 70,000 fans standing and 70,000 fans banging those seats.
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Now that would be a true fan-based homefield advantage! :fans:
 
I found the best approach was to stand at my seat and stomp the crap out of the seat bottom in front of me. It started with hands and arms but that wasn't working well enough. I'll never admit to what happened to the seat bottom but I had an extremely sore knee for two weeks - and it appeared that the seat was back in working order later in the year ...:whistle:

I'll never forget all the noise the Reliant 10,000 made that day.

0:57 and three time outs was all I could think after picking myself off the floor following the Davis TD..
 
Double Barrel said:
Those Titans games at Reliant are starting to become heart stoppers!
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Which reminds me of another topic sure to be discussed a lot in the coming months...are we going to get another home primetime game? I was looking at the schedule and decided that the Titans game would be the primo choice for next season.

We now return to your regularly scheduled topic.
 
Da_General said:
Which reminds me of another topic sure to be discussed a lot in the coming months...are we going to get another home primetime game? I was looking at the schedule and decided that the Titans game would be the primo choice for next season.

We now return to your regularly scheduled topic.
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I would guess that we would have a good shot at a primetime game. The Titans game would be an easy one to hype and we did play well in our Thursday night game this season.


:fans:
 
Another email exchange:

Me to Texans:

A follow up question:

The fan who felt pressured to sit down in the Bull Pen or else be threatened with ejection received a number of responses from FanFeedback. This is one of them:

"We are speaking with the usher regarding this incident. In other areas of the Stadium sometimes the ushers will speak to the person standing if other fans are complaining but should not force the fan to sit or call security if the fan is only standing directly in front of his seat. Going forward we will make sure that the ushers in the Bull Pen are more informed. We are also looking forward to the 2008 season and if you have any suggestions regarding the Bull Pen please let us know. We are looking into different signage in the area regarding standing. Please visit guest services during the game if you need assistance or have any questions. Thank you and have a great day!"

I know in an earlier email to me you indicated that ushers speak to standing people if other fans are complaining. It is my belief that no one representing the Texans, that includes ushers should encourage fans to sit down no matter where they are sitting in the stadium, Bull Pen or otherwise. If a fan complains about standing to an usher, it's been my experience that the complainer has already said something to the person in front of them. To have the usher also say something like that, puts the usher in a bad spot because it is rude, and also inappropriate at a football game.

People attending sporting events need to understand that standing is part of being at a live sporting event, especially a football game.*

If an usher is faced with people complaining about standing people, the complainer could be offered alternative seating. In no circumstances should ushers be required to tell standing fans that other fans are complaining about standing. There is nothing worse than being told on one hand "you are the homefield advantage" but then be told on the other hand by an usher, "the people behind you are complaining that you are standing up." Because the implication from that is that you want this diehard fan to sit down. Ushers should only speak to fans who are standing in aisles or are otherwise being drunk or disorderly. But not for standing.

My fear about having different signage in the Bull Pen is that the BP is only two small sections. And fans stand up in all sorts of sections. The fear is that those of us who have seats outside the Bull Pen are going to feel pressured to sit down because we aren't in the signed "standing section."

Some of this will become irrelevant when the Texans win on a more frequent basis. Fans all over the stadium tend to stand up more when winning is happening. I saw tons of people standing up especially during the Denver game, even in parts of the stadium where fans tend not to stand a lot. Check out this video of the first game in Texans history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omaoHfX5aEU

People stand when they are excited.

So in sum, I think if there is a policy about this:

1. No ushers anywhere in the stadium should inform others of complaints about their standing. As this is rude and against homefield advantage.
2. If someone complains to an usher, they should be offered alternative seating in an area that is more sedate.

Thanks for considering my suggestions. I only make them as someone who 1. tries to do my part in homefield advantage; 2. does not sit in the Bull Pen; 3. Have had a few times where people who are sitting in corporate seats behind us have told our group to sit down.. I would be very offended if an usher who is representing the Texans told me about those complaints too. There are a number of people who worry that having official signage in the Bull Pen about standing would mean that the rest of us would be pressured to sit.

I know that seems silly, but I know that the Texans care about what the fans think, and sometimes I think in the past policies have overreacted to fan concerns.

Thanks again for your time,
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Texans to me:

We will look into your suggestions this off season. We are committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you again for your feedback.
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So there you go.:texflag:




*Hat tip to AJ.
 
Here is the response I got from the Texans after I voiced my opinion about standing.

Dear James,

Thank you for your email and support of the Houston Texans! We appreciate your feedback regarding standing in the Stadium. Any fan in any part of the Stadium may stand directly in front of their seat during any part of the game. We do encourage standing in the Bull Pen and we have taken the appropriate actions regarding the usher. Sometimes in other areas of the Stadium if a fan chooses to stand while no one else is an usher will inform the fan but does not force the fan to sit nor move. We are committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you again for your feedback and have a great day!



GO TEXANS
 
I know I am bringing back from the dead an old thread that I started at the end of last season but I have a good reason.


Last night at the All Access thing I was walking around just checking out the people when I see a user in a yellow shirt coming towards me. It was like we recognized each other at the same time. He gives me a little finger point, like "I know you". It was my good buddy, the user that thought maybe I needed to vacate the Bull Pen or sit down. It was kinda a Twilight Zone Moment as he give me one of those real friendly double hand shakes. It was cool though. It was like he was acknowledging that he did wrong without saying it. It was good to see him. I hope he is in control of the Bull Pen next season. I would guess I wouldn't be asked to sit down again.

Peace,

:fans:
 
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