Ralph Wilson Stadium greeted me with open arms this past Sunday at the Jets-Bills football game. At the end of each of these outstretched arms was a notorious middle finger, a face filled with anger, and the strong scent of beer from mouths screaming "you suck."
Yes, I was wearing a Jets jersey.
I had never been to a football game before this one. Many of my friends had warned me that there would be a plethora of Bills' fans ready to choke me and shout in my face. (Most didn't know that I get enough hate being The Spectrum's sex columnist, so I'm used to that behavior from strangers).
Still, I found walking through the tailgates filled with thousands of people in white jerseys chanting "J-E-T-S suck, suck, suck" was surprisingly thrilling. I'm not much of a sports fanatic and I could have easily worn a Bills jersey to avoid the wrath of the die-hard fans. However, being booed in the middle of a crowd of strangers, and still sharing an endless amount of hotdogs with them, allowed me to enter a world that I didn't even know existed.
Contrary to my earlier beliefs about football, there's much more to the game than just what's happening on the field.
The fans in the stands that just finished tailgating with their best friends, the college students who needed a break from their hectic midterms, and the families that make it a point to attend at least one game each year for some bonding time prove that.
Throwing my arms up in the air and cheering on the Jets alongside the few others in the crowd wearing green jerseys made me feel as if I was forming bonds with complete strangers. And all because of the color of my shirt and the name stitched on my back.
Within the stadium there were no doctors, lawyers, teachers, or students. There was no such thing as religion, ethnicity, or race. People were not male or female. Only two types of people existed. Only two types of people mattered: Jets fans and Bills fans.
The energy at the game was beyond exciting and it got me wondering; do people go to these games just to enter this world of liveliness and enthusiasm? Or are they actually interested in the sport?
This is the only setting where it's completely acceptable to curse out your neighbor without receiving a black eye in return (or at least one would hope). Only in the stadium is it all right to jump in the air and hug a stranger, simply because you both celebrate the same team.
The entire culture at football games is fascinating, and to me, is something that can't be found outside the NFL. The outdoor environment and fast-paced competition keeps everyone standing on their feet throughout all four quarters. Whether they're fans of the teams or not, everyone is screaming until they lose their voices.
Students, I advise you all to attend a game before the end of your college careers. It's an unforgettable experience and a great opportunity to leave your hectic world behind by entering a new one. For just a few hours nothing matters except the people around you.
And if you're as lucky as I was, the team on your back will be the winning one.
There's nothing like the feeling of coming out on top after being contested by the majority of the people in the crowd. Despite the cruel chanting, white pompoms thrown in my face, and the chips tossed at Jets fans in the crowd…J-E-T-S won, won, won.
Email: keren.baruch@ubspectrum.com
