Before I start, I should make it clear that I have always loved the Jets, since the days of Al Toon. I had a poster of him on my wall, and I will always follow the team. But, I am not a fan of some of their fans, and last week, those sad examples of humanity made the international news, and New Jersey did, along with them. Folha de S. Paulo, Brazil's most-read newspaper, ran a piece entitled, "Hit in Stadium, 'Show Your Tits' causes controversy in American Football."
Here is part of the article.
With beer and pretzels in hand, the New York Jets fans, start gathering on the Gate D spiral ramp, as soon as halftime begins. The strategy is to lean over the edge and to provoke girls that appear below.
The first target: a young blond, twenty-something, starts to climb the ramp. The crowd roars: "Show your tits! show your tits!" She passes with her head down, ignoring the pleas. And has rolled-up used napkins thrown at her.
The game is usually worse: half-full cups of beer fly in the direction of the girls that don't agree to lift up their shirt. Those that agree are applauded, but, after, have their photos published on Internet sites.
The abuse is a tradition at Jets home games, and always on the same gate D ramp. This season, the number of followers has reached the hundreds, and has attracted the attention of the local media and the authorities.
The stadium has had to reinforce security. During the game against the Cleveland Browns, in which the Jets, who are having a terrible season and were beaten again, there were at least 10 men, including police and stadium workers, surrounding the crowd, but they were only able to keep the fans with beer away. "We can't forbid people from yelling," said a security guard when interviewed by Folha.
According to fans, the ritual, for the time being, has not scared away the female public, who can be described as expressive.
Various girls have played along and voluntarily go over to the ramp. "These guys are idiots. I love to go to the game, but this mess is ridiculous. I've already seen a girl leave here soaked with beer, after someone hit her," said Meaghan Smith, 22.
The New York Post photographer at the game last Sunday complained that: "I need a shot of a girl, but only if she's showing her tits," showing a shot on his camera of an obese guy that raised his shirt for the crowd.
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