The following is a reader contribution. Anything in bold is my own contribution for emphasis:
“Hi, after discovering your site and reading many of the testimonials about the classless behavior in Philadelphia, I felt compelled to share some really disturbing information with you. Due to who I am and the sensitive nature of the topic, I ask to remain anonymous.
I am currently working for the Buffalo Sabres as a moderator for their official fan page on Facebook. Every season we have to deal with the typical 3 or 4 trolling incidents from a couple of our rival fan bases. However, a full week before the Sabres/Flyers 2011 playoff series even started, we began taking a heavy assault on our fan page from literally hundreds of Flyers fans. When the playoffs actually started, it became thousands.
Not only were the numbers of people resorting to this type of behavior more than any other fan base, but the severity of the content they posted was worse than anything I have ever seen before. To highlight just SOME of the disgusting things they were posting, they:
- Told a 2-tour military combat veteran from Buffalo they hope he “dies in Afghanistan”.
- Verbally abused and threatened sexual assault on a female minor (16 yrs old).
- Made crude sexual comments towards female fans and wished cancer on another.
- Posted homophobic and racial slurs; the later towards Mike Grier of the Sabres.
- Made several credible threats of violence & death threats, towards fans and players.
- Posted pictures & video of the Clint Malarchuk throat-cut incident, bleeding on the ice.
- Several people “liked” the above image, and one called it “beautiful photography”.
The Sabres official fan page currently has 2,583 people on the “banned” list… and 1,629 of those were Flyers fans added during the Sabres/Flyers playoff series. When you’re dealing with numbers like that, the “few rotten apples” excuse no longer applies. It got so bad that the Sabres had to hire 3 new employees just so we could keep a 24/7 watch on the page, which was unheard of up until that point. I hate to judge an entire city, but we’re talking about 1,500+ people committing these acts. There’s no excuse. The people of Philadelphia really should be ashamed of themselves.”
And for anyone who will respond that every city has scummy sports fans, no one here has ever claimed it’s only Philly that breeds these idiots. OK?
I myself currently living in Philadelphia and being raised here all my life hate it so much. Im just waiting to get out of here when i finish highschool and save up. I agree 100% with everything you say. Sometimes i feel as if i just don’t belong im no sports fan, not into cheesestakes actually im a vegeterian, im not rude, the list goes on i dont dress like trash etc. I find it incredible how violent,filthy, and crappy this city is. I hope we will both one day be able to leave and never come back!
The sickening part is the fact that people from Philly are actually PROUD of behavior like that. They wear it like a badge of honor.
Let me clarify, I am not just talking about those who posted the disgusting comments. The entire Flyers fan base (and all Philly sports fans in general) consider behavior like that to be part of the reason they are “the most intimidating fans in sports”. They think behavior like that makes them “great”. Their reasoning is that it intimidates the other team’s players, or that they are contributing to the defense of their home town. They think it’s their job to inflict as much suffering as possible on the other team and it’s fans, no matter the cost.
The part about them posting pictures and video of Clint Malarchuck (the Sabres goaltender) with blood shooting from his neck all over the ice, on a website that little kids go on, was proof enough. I’ve run into a few of these demons online, and they are absolutely 100% proud of what they have done, “It’s the Philly way”, no remorse, no compassion, no mercy, no respect, no class whatsoever. Respect, honor and decency are examples of weakness, according to them.
I for one RESPECT the Sabres employee who had the conviction and integrity to share this. It needed to be said. I think this quote sums that up:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke
Marcus Redden-
I agree wholeheartedly!
The Philly way is no remorse, no compassion, no mercy, no respect, no class whatsoever.
Perfectly put.
I also imagine that, in some sick way, they feel our talking about them right now is a victory. It’s part of their corrupt logic.
@Marcus good point. A bunch of them submitted comments to this post ragging on Buffalo players that I chose not to approve (I usually approve all comments except those which are nothing but racist rants).
I’m closing comments on this post.