Would you leave a playoff game early?

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I heard that during the Falcons showing the Rams what should happen to an 8-8 team in the playoffs, their fans were heading for the exits.

Is this what we have become? A bunch of idiots that can't wait to get the hell out to our cars and sit in a traffic jam that we leave a game that is this much of a success just because the game is decided?

I thought true fans were the ones who stay and chear their team loudly thru a victory like this, and boo if their team is on the other end. Whatever, just stay at the damn game!

[Easy Mac]

it is atlanta.

[Joe]

never

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Might as well enjoy the atmosphere. Plus the money that they pay for those seats Yeesh.

[robbgmaier]

I believe it's important not to leave until the cheerleaders head for their cars, so you can follow one of them home....

[Honolulu_Blue]

Never. Well, unless they were getting totally blown out. But if your team is up big? No way. Especially if it were the Lions. Leaving the game early would be like being in an observatory with a massive telescope on the night Haley's Comet is coming around and then leaving before you see it.

[Ragone]

I dunno.. lets ask a cowboys fan.. :)

[maximus]

nope

[maximus]

I believe it's important not to leave until the cheerleaders head for their cars, so you can follow one of them home....


:confused:

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I think it has something to do with the "dome" mentality. It always seems that this sort of thing only happens in domes. Fans outdoors seem to get more into a game. Sure, loudness in a dome can be a factor, but many outdoor crowds can be as loud as their comfy 68 degree t-shirt wearing friends.

I bet nobody leaves early in either game tomorrow...

[Ragone]

domes should be outlawed.. and astroturf

[Pyser]

i left the giants beating the vikes 41-0 in the 4th. at some point, you can just go home already. and it aint worth sitting in over an hour of traffic.

[cody8200]

Pyser is right abouyt 41-0...yikes. Thats a struggle to not fall asleep. I think this is my 300th post....wooo hoo!!! Only took 4 years or so :)

[GrantDawg]

We stayed, but many people left after the game was well done. Of course the first to leave were the handfull of Rams fans there (to the chanting of "Naanananaa, naananaa, SaAay, Goooodbye"). I can't blame people for leaving. The game was over, and this is not like college where you can rush the field.

As for the dome thing, I was always against the dome (Why in the heck would you play in a dome in the South?). BUT, after being in the dome a couple of times, I'm glad we have it. It is really a great atmosphere for the pro game. When you have those long, boring commercial breaks (which happen every 5 minutes), it is nice to be able to be comfortable and have something to entertain you while your waiting. Plus, now you have the new turf that is nt nearly as bad as astroturf on players.

[Ben E Lou]

GrantDawg was a warrior last night in staying to the end. He has to teach a Bible class AND preach a sermon this morning. Deep down I really wanted to stay until the end, but I thought in that situation the polite thing to do was to act nonchalant about whether we left or stayed, simply because I knew he had an extra 30-45 minute drive after he dropped me at my house, AND he has to work this morning. The man never flinched.

To the defense of those who left early, MARTA was an absolute zoo, as it always is after a Dome event. We must have the worst transit system on the planet, and insufficient parking at the Dome, which forces nearly everyone to use that insufficient transit system. It was quite hot and crowded. If anyone was even mildly claustrophobic, I can't begrudge them leaving for a moment. Even if one isn't claustrophobic, the MARTA ride was unpleasant at the very best. This is not to mention that it was getting rather late, as well. All that being said, if this had been an afternoon game, I'd call in completely inexcusable. In that situation, even the claustrophobic could have waited until the train crowds died down. ;)

[judicial clerk]

I was at the NFC Champiosnhip game between the 49ers and the Cowboys at San Francisco. I was sitting amid a bunch of 49er fans who were getting loaded all game long. These guys were season ticket holders and after one bg play, one guy bought the whole row beers. A couple seats away from me was a young guy wearing all Cowboy gear. Anyway, after Aikman hits for a 70 yard gain to put the game away, this guy gets up to leave. There are still a couple of minutes left and the 'Boys are now up by two scores. I ask him where he is going the game is not over. He says "If the Cowboys end up losing this game, I don't want to be here. If the Cowboys hold on to win the game, I don't want to be here." I think his decision was a good one.

[Chubby]

I'd never leave a playoff game early because of two words....


Bills... Oilers...

[Noop]

Yeah better then the trolls on the web vs. the trolls under the bridge.

[JeeberD]

I've never left a pro or college sporting event early in my entire life...

[sooner333]

Hell, I stayed at the Orange Bowl the whole game. You just have to take the good with the bad, I stayed the whole 2000 OU-texas affair...and plus, I got to see OU's safety and backups do well.

[Ragone]

Hell, I stayed at the Orange Bowl the whole game. You just have to take the good with the bad, I stayed the whole 2000 OU-texas affair...and plus, I got to see OU's safety and backups do well.


You may have stayed, but i think your team left at half time

[sooner333]

You may have stayed, but i think your team left at half time

Maybe so, definetly by midway through the 3rd. Either way, the damage was done well before the half.

[ISiddiqui]

Is the opening question directed to fans or players on the field ;).

[Franklinnoble]

Why did Ron Artest leave the game early?


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To beat the crowd!






I got nothing.

[rkmsuf]

What's the big deal leaving early when it's clearly over? I'd rather miss garbage time and save 2 hours of traffic than sit there and marvel at the play of TJ Duckett falling into the middle of the line.

[JimboJ]

I was at the Vikings/Eagles game yersterday, and while I didn't leave early, a lot of people did. I think its understandable, at least from an Eagles fan perspective. If we were a team that was just happy to be in the playoffs, then I think people would stay for the whole game and just relish the experience. But having been to three straight NFC championship games, the divisional playoff game is only a stepping stone, a formality almost, to get back to the game that we've been waiting for since last January - another chance at the NFC title.

If the Eagles win in a blowout next week, I gurantee there will not be one person leaving the stadium early. After 24 years since last going to the Super Bowl, EVERY Eagles fan will be right there to the end to celebrate and watch that NFC trophy being handed to Andy Reid.