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> At least get the smack talk going if you’re not willing to fight at that point. <

In the old days many states had “fighting words” laws. You were legally allowed to answer fighting words with fists.

I don’t know what it’s like today. But I think the boyfriend played it right. He’s not a cop (evidently). There is no purpose in escalating here, except to satisfy one’s ego. In my younger days I certainly would not have said all that.

But with age comes wisdom.

And as a side point, years ago I attended a talk given by a Japanese karate master. He first talked about two important defensive techniques: distance and de-escalation.

I was disappointed. I expected fancy reverse punches, and stuff like that. But yeah, he was right.

The problem today is how the law treats people who get into fights. If attacked, it is self-defense. If you are verbally attacked and you respond physically, you can be facing assault charges. I think the boyfriend handled it correctly. That video went viral, and you can now see the results.

In my younger days, I had no problem getting into someone's face as a young karateka. As I matured, I learned "distance and deescalation." Both are defensive actions, like building a new castle wall while talking peace with your neighbors. The world has changed so much; I carry a gun outside my house after forty years of karate. I open carry; it deescalates situations before they occur. A famous karate fighter had a drug addict break into his house. He told me he did not use karate; he scratched, bit, and tackled him through a door. Once outside, the addict ran.

I agree with you to a point.
1st step, don’t watch a game in Philly with your girl wearing opposing jerseys. OK get it, maybe she demanded to go and wear her support for her team, even after warning her this could result in injury, jail, or both. So to second chance out.

2. Drunk obnoxious Philly fan shows up, totally predictable. In a very insulting manner he informs your girl that Josh Jacobs was short of the goal line. Next chance out, keep your mouth shut, maybe move her out of shouting distance from jerk, time to take a walk with your girl, get security.. a number of things could be done to avoid agitating Philly fan further. Instead, he verbally comes back and demands obnoxious Philly fan stop being a jerk, obnoxious Philly fan doubled down, and then boyfriend backs down! Sorry, at that moment you need to launch to next level, whatever it is, just the way it is when in that position. You can’t challenge and then immediately back off. She won’t respect him after this.