Tailgating During Games Banned

[Chewie]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-fbn-tailgatingcrackd,0,3856792.story

CHICAGO - Many Chicago Bears fans are roaring mad about the team management's new restrictions on a favorite fan activity -- tailgating during the games at the parking lots outside Soldier Field.

For years, countless fans have shunned the stadium to watch the games on television in the parking lots, where they often enjoy a food and cocktail spread that rivals any restaurant buffet,

But under a new policy that starts with the team's first exhibition game Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, fans will no longer be able to remain in the parking lots during the games. Once the game starts, fans will have to cease tailgating.

In an e-mail sent to season ticket holders Tuesday, the Bears said the move is part of a crackdown on unruly behavior.

Wow. Can't say I tailgated *during* the game but that's a long-standing tradition down the tubes. There's a ton of die-hards that have been doing this for years.

[Posey H8er]

I love the Chicago Bears. I hate the Chicago Bears management. This is just one of many issues that I have with them. There is more "unruly behavior" inside the stadium than in the parking lot with tailgaters.

[Chewie]

I love the Chicago Bears. I hate the Chicago Bears management. This is just one of many issues that I have with them. There is more "unruly behavior" inside the stadium than in the parking lot with tailgaters.

True. Always fun watching the convergence of yellow-jacketed Andy Frain ushers on the fights in the stands.

Good times......good times.

[WEFFPIM]

They sure know how to cut down on the most pressing of needs and issues. But I don't see it as that big of a deal. We're seeing this in Milwaukee now with Brewers games. Tickets are now in high demand, but there's plenty of people who just pay to park and sit in the lot during the game. Now that all the spots are needed for ticket buyers, they've been kicking them out.

[blumeany]

I'm not a tailgater, but I see both sides' point of view on this. I appreciate that people have the chance to be 'close' to the game and maybe hang out while their friends who are fortunate enough to have tickets are in the game. But I also see how there could be possible issues with guys that get tanked during the game and with fans trying to make their way out of there afterward. I'm sure it's just a case of a few rotten apples spoiling the bunch and causing the team and NFL to react. That, and I'm sure that some of it is the team wanting to drive up demand for tickets even more.