An open letter to UGA fans

[cooltigger21 0]

I actually just read the Ostendorf article on ESPN about how our problems became apparent in MSU game (decent article) but in the comments following the story, an UGA fan wrote an apology about how badly he saw his fellow UGA fans treating Auburn people and that he felt it was wrong and should not happen. Just thought I'd share that since this thread seems to be along that theme.

That game did expose some of the weaknesses. I think the USC game really exposed our weakness on defense. That game gave everyone the blueprint to beating our defense.

[Grinder 39]

In 2002, give or take, we were walking through downtown Athens on the Friday night before the game and a UGA student (I assume) got in our faces and called us "Nword Lovers!" because there was a black girl in our group. I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon.

[Mikey 16,626]

I wish someone would spit at or throw a bottle at me....especially if I'm with my friends....that would be one tore up bar

Great idea if you like spending the night in the pokey and ponying up for the damages.

I'm with Cole on this one. Sometimes certain things simply have to be done. Spitting on and/or throwing drinks on me and mine will result in a fight. If I get whupped it wouldn't be the first time and spending the night in the pokey for brawling wouldn't be the first time for that either. Ya' gotta' do what ya' gotta' do!

[alexava 6,973]

I wish someone would spit at or throw a bottle at me....especially if I'm with my friends....that would be one tore up bar

Great idea if you like spending the night in the pokey and ponying up for the damages.

I'm with Cole on this one. Sometimes certain things simply have to be done. Spitting on and/or throwing drinks on me and mine will result in a fight. If I get whupped it wouldn't be the first time and spending the night in the pokey for brawling wouldn't be the first time for that either. Ya' gotta' do what ya' gotta' do!

i understand that, but do you "wish" it would happen?

[cole256 17,084]

I'm sorry I'm 27 and I didn't realize saying I wish someone would was so out of touch that older people didn't understand the term. By me saying that of course I don't wish someone would spit on me but you're damn right there would be smoke in the city if someone did....oh I'm sorry I forgot who I was talking to when I say smoke in the city I'm not going to burn a city down so please don't dial 911 it's just a figure of speech

Now if that's stupid or childish to some of you, more power to you but no I'm not letting ANYBODY spit on me

[cole256 17,084]

I wish someone would spit at or throw a bottle at me....especially if I'm with my friends....that would be one tore up bar

Great idea if you like spending the night in the pokey and ponying up for the damages.

I'm with Cole on this one. Sometimes certain things simply have to be done. Spitting on and/or throwing drinks on me and mine will result in a fight. If I get whupped it wouldn't be the first time and spending the night in the pokey for brawling wouldn't be the first time for that either. Ya' gotta' do what ya' gotta' do!

i understand that, but do you "wish" it would happen?

You understood everything else but the wish threw you off huh? Ok.

[alexava 6,973]

I wish someone would spit at or throw a bottle at me....especially if I'm with my friends....that would be one tore up bar

Great idea if you like spending the night in the pokey and ponying up for the damages.

I'm with Cole on this one. Sometimes certain things simply have to be done. Spitting on and/or throwing drinks on me and mine will result in a fight. If I get whupped it wouldn't be the first time and spending the night in the pokey for brawling wouldn't be the first time for that either. Ya' gotta' do what ya' gotta' do!

i understand that, but do you "wish" it would happen?

You understood everything else but the wish threw you off huh? Ok.

correct

[skippy 0]

Sadly, since many will not travel to Athens again after such treatment, there will be less and less of us to support Auburn.

[autigeremt 6,644]

Sadly, since many will not travel to Athens again after such treatment, there will be less and less of us to support Auburn.

That's what they want....which is why I haven't missed a game there since 1997.

[aujeff11 6,243]

Well a Georgia fan wrote a letter back... link

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/georgia-fan-responds-auburn-letter-defends-true-fans-offers-2016-tickets/

[lionheartkc 6,150]

This is nothing new... I attended a Georgia game in the 90s and was spit on by a woman with gray hair and saw drinks thrown on several Auburn fans.

I love how the responses from other fan bases are always "Auburn is just as bad". I'd like to see them produce the ever growing pile of articles written, usually by professional writers, about how amazing the Auburn game day experience is, specifically highlighting how great our fans are. I've yet to see anything close to that from any other SEC school.

[AuburnNTexas 7,152]

I started at Auburn in 1969 one year when we were playing Georgia at home my little sister flew in from California I was able to borrow a students ID and student ticket (I know not technically kosher but I was a broke Auburn student) We were at the edge of the student section and just above us was one Old man who was a Georgia fan and there was an obnoxious drunk Auburn Student giving him hell and calling him names. I told my sister to wait a second I was going to talk to the student. (I had planned to see how far I could throw him). Before I could get there numerous Auburn fans both students and alumni were escorting the student away while others were apologizing to the old man and offering to buy him refreshments. He was very appreciative of the Auburn fans who came to his aid.

It was one of the proudest moments in my stay at Auburn. Because of living far away since leaving the Auburn area I have not attended many games since but I am sure the same thing would happen now. The one student proved that every fan base has idiots but the instant response from so many Auburn fans is what makes me proud to say I am an Auburn Man.

My sister still talks about this to this day. By the way she is a USC (University of Southern California) fan who thinks that Auburn is the second best school in the world because of the Auburn fans that day.

[AUfan_UAgrad 230]

Why did the hundreds of "G" fans surrounding the people doing this not do something about it? It's very simple hold your own teams fans accountable. All it takes is a "hey buddy is that really called for? Less keep it all clean and fun spirited. The opposing fans have every right to be here and enjoy the game just like us". I know we have our idiotic fans, with 85K fans inside the Auburn stadium there is got to be at least one drunk Auburn idiot. As Auburn fans we have to hold the Auburn fans that are getting out of control accountable, same goes for other teams. The response to anyone that says "Auburn is just as bad" kindly ask them "when was the last time an Auburn fan made the news for doing something idiotic?" Wonder what Bryant Denny is going to be like, especially if we find someway to win? I was at the MSU game in their new club level (so obviously very FEW Auburn fans around me) and all I have to say is they are some of the nicest fans around. There was one guy that complained about the no pass interference call on the first play for about 10mins but all in all he wasn't too bad just a die hard MSU fan. After the game my son was a little upset that we had lost and you could see it in his face. The lady at the end of the row stopped me on the way out and talked to me for a few minutes. Seeing the disappointment in my sons face she said "that is breaking my heart and I am so sorry." Also the guy beside me was ringing his cow bell right at head level and was basically in my ear. First few times I stuck my fingers in my ears. After the third or forth time he noticed and every time after that he rang his cow bell either down or on the other side of him. I never even had to say a word. On the way down the elevator after the game my son and I were in the back and didn't have on too much Auburn gear. The other people on the elevator were obviously excited and yelling. It got really quite for a moment and I said "Congratulations on the win. You guys have a great team and good luck the rest of the way" Just about everyone of them said "You guys have a great team as well and played a great game. Good luck to you guys the rest of the way and be careful going home."

[C'viewTiger 242]

That's because you had a coach that played at auburn coaching one team and a coach on the other team that played at GA. They would not flame the fans to the point of disrespecting the other team or its fans.

Are you saying Richt is causing the UGA fans to act like that?

[AUTrvlr82 3]

I'll add my 2 cents.

I work with many Clemson alum not far from Clemson/UGA. They've warned me NOT to go to a game in Athens...or expect to deal with a very unpleasant trip. These people I'm talking to aren't the type to cause problems or be rude guests. I hosted one at an AU/Clemson game in Auburn (2010 year!) and he hosted me at Clemson the following year. Both experiences were great...we won when he visited and they won when I visited...but most importantly neither of us experienced anything but a great day.

My brother attended a game in Athens in around '88 (year he graduated) and walked out of a bar after a game to find a group of guys trashing his car. He just nicely asked one of the people he was with to go back into the bar and tell the bouncers there was a fight in the parking lot. He then decked the largest guy in the group.

At our last home game with UGA, I got a chance to talk with a young guy attending the game. He thought it was a wonderful experience and really enjoyed it. The one thing he said that really bothered him was he encountered one really obnoxious fan....and the fan was from UGA.

Don't know the reasons but the reputation is out there.

[AUGoo 2,664]

Athens has been like this for a decade.

or Three.

Was like that in the mid 80's.

Needed security to escort the Swim team out.

[Sully to Beasley 643]

My son and I experienced the same type of treatment from the so called "fans" of UGA. We were cussed at, flipped off, threatened, pushed, kicked and called vulgar names. Athens this past Saturday made Baton Rouge & Tuscaloosa look like kindergarten.

[poorman 0]

While I did not have any negative incidents while in Athens, I do want to comment about something I was disappointed that some Auburn fans did while in the upper deck before the game. When the UGA band was on the field playing the Alma Mater Hymn, a large group of the AU fans started singing "Its great to be an Auburn Tiger".. As much as I like that song, I felt that was totally wrong to do. It should be a time to allow their Alumni a chance to listen and sing their song without such disturbance.

As a visiting AU Alumni for the first time in Athens, I really had no expectations of what to expect from the UGA fans. We did not go to any bars or tailgates. The ones we talked to while asking directions were really nice and helpful.

One thing that did impress me while leaving.. Every time we came to a point to turn or merge with traffic, the other cars would yield to let one car in without fail. And most of these were UGA vehicles.

War Eagle!

[cole256 17,084]

Man it's disturbing reading these stories, I really didn't know stuff like this went on. Only other game I've been toawas Clemson and Florida st@ Clemson. I wore some Auburn stuff and just had a couple of jokes with people here and there. These stories are crazy

[aucanucktiger 1,794]

fwiw, UGA fans do NOT exclusively treat us this way. I've gone to the Florida-Georgia game almost every year as a neutral since the 1970s and almost every disreputable event I've seen at that game has been started by UGA fans. Unlike Bammers, these UGA sociopaths when you overhear them actually HAVE connections to the university, like they or their family attended UGA. Notice LSUs more alarming run ins with other fans seem to always involve their eastern division alteregos: UGA.

[TitanTiger 20,499]

There was a thread on one of the bammer boards when this open letter came out. They were almost unanimous in backing him up saying that of all the road games they'd been to...Knoxville, Baton Rouge, Gainesville, Auburn, Starkville, Oxford...that Athens was the worst in terms of how their fans act and treat people and it wasn't even close. Even a Tennessee fan chimed in and said the same thing.

[hutchids 227]

fwiw, UGA fans do NOT exclusively treat us this way. I've gone to the Florida-Georgia game almost every year as a neutral since the 1970s and almost every disreputable event I've seen at that game has been started by UGA fans. Unlike Bammers, these UGA sociopaths when you overhear them actually HAVE connections to the university, like they or their family attended UGA. Notice LSUs more alarming run ins with other fans seem to always involve their eastern division alteregos: UGA.

At least LSU's team can back it up.

[Mike4AU 1,739]

The absolute truth of the matter is that Ga (and others) could greatly reduce this type of behavior if they wanted, but don't because of one thing - MONEY. The sorry a#$ PTB could hire additional security (or give tickets to the game and some money to soldiers at Ft Benning to show their presence during a football weekend).

OK, Mr. President of UGA, admit that you care more about money more than the well-being of visiting fans! Pathetic POS!

[tgr4lfe 220]

An open letter to the UGA fans of /r/cfb from an Auburn fan in Athens this past weekend

Dear UGA fans,

Let me first say that this is 100% honest, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I genuinely hope that UGA and /r/CFB fans don't get upset about the contents of this "letter," as it is intended to be a genuine request for those fans who frequent /r/cfb, and who I know to be - for the most part - class acts. Please - PLEASE - read this, and correct these wrongs when you see them happen in Athens. I know /r/cfb regulars enjoy posts about how fanbases are good hosts, but this is sadly not one of those posts.

The experience we (my group of friends) had in Athens this weekend was - in a word - awful. Not because of the game, but because of the way we were treated. I am asking UGA fans to remedy this as best they can in future games.

First, it's important to detail what actually happened. Let's start with Friday night. We decided to go to a few bars in Athens, because Athens is certainly known for its bar scene. Note that for the most part we were dressed in neutral colors, although one of us had on an Auburn ball cap and a girl had on a blue scarf with orange trim. Before we entered the first bar we were boo'd. Okay, whatever, it's a rivalry. But then it got taken too far. By the end of the night, I had two drinks thrown at me (and not by anyone I had talked to). The guy in the ball cap had a glass beer bottle thrown in his direction, and later realized he was bleeding. We were spat at (literally) and cussed out. Two of the girls were in tears, and one (the one with the scarf) was genuinely scared she would be assaulted. She got rid of the scarf because she was scared it was making her a target. It's in some dumpster downtown now. We called it an early night and got the hell out of dodge.

So, Saturday. Okay, gametime. Maybe those were just drunks last night, and we had some bad luck. Who knows. Nope. Spat at. CONSTANTLY. I did NOT understand why grown men were literally spitting at me on a regular basis. It was insane. I lost count at 20. I had more drinks thrown at me (although this time it was soda, as we were in the stadium). Luckily I had a waterproof hood on my jacket, so that stayed up the rest of the game. Cussed out again. Leaving the stadium the guys in our group surrounded the girls, at their request, because they did not feel safe (and we left early, both because of the way the game was going and the way the fans were treating us). I was hit upside the back of my head a couple times walking out. I should mention that the girls were being called extremely vulgar things almost the entire game, as well as the night before.

Out of genuine fear for our own safety and well-being, we did not go out that night, but instead stayed at our host's place.

Based on stories I have heard today from other Auburn fans who visited, similar experiences occurred. Spitting on Auburn fans was apparently extremely common, especially the girls. Being screamed at and cussed out were commonplace.

Based on my experiences this weekend, I know Athens is a town I would never take a family to, if I were a father. I know that the only way I would brave it again is if I were in a group composed entirely of adult males, and even then I would not enjoy it - and that is NOT a reaction I should have to visiting another college.

Please, UGA fans on here. Fix this. Visiting fans should not be scared of your town. I know Athens to be a beautiful place, and an excellent city with great attractions. I have been there outside of football, and I loved it. Please, please try to make it more welcoming to the visiting team.

Sincerely,

A concerned Auburn fan

Common sense says after the first bottle gets thrown you need to take your ass back to the crib - don't wait around for the 2nd and 3rd bottle and multiple folks spitting for me to gather my group and get the hell out.

Or contact a security guard or police.

If someone spits on me, I calling law enforcement to treat him for his injuries from me defending myself and then to file charges for assault. Most places now, spitting is an assault. Simply ridiculous behavior!