Posted on 05/29/2009 4:59:20 AM PDT by Puppage
A Texas Rangers’ fan who wore a "Yankees Suck" shirt to Tuesday's game against New York was told by a security guard to change it -- or she would be kicked out.
"He came down and said, ‘You have to change that shirt,’” said Kristen Knapp-Webb, of Carrollton. “I said, 'But it's not profane. Why do I have to change my shirt?' He said, 'The Texas Rangers organization considers that shirt to be profane.'"
The Rangers implemented a code of conduct for fans several years ago after some people complained they were offended by shirts such as hers, a team spokesman said.
"That particular phrase is one we’ve received a lot of complaints about," said Rangers spokesman John Blake. "That kind of thing is offensive to a lot of people, especially if you have young children and that kind of thing. And I think that's why we have that policy."
Knapp-Webb and her husband, Walter, said they consider themselves loyal Rangers fans. They even named their dog "Ranger."
They had gone to the game Tuesday to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary. He wore a Texas Rangers jersey, and she wore the "Yankees Suck" shirt her husband gave her for an anniversary gift.
No other fans seemed offended by her shirt and, in fact, many laughed, she said.
"It's funny," she said. "It's the thing fans do to each other to razz them, to make them laugh (and) have a good time."
But before the rain-delayed game started, she said, a security guard told her she had to turn the shirt inside out, change it or leave the ballpark.
"I understand it's private property," Knapp-Webb said. "But they can't not offend every person who walks in that door. It's not possible."
Under protest, she went to a restroom and turned the shirt inside out. She and her husband decided to leave a short time later, before the game started.
She said she hopes the Rangers clarify their policy.
"I think 'profanity' needs a definition, and I don't think 'sucks' is included," Knapp-Webb said.
The Rangers’ Code of Conduct states, "Any person wearing clothing with language… that may be offensive to another guest may be denied entry into the stadium, or ejected from the stadium without refund."
I agree...
For the record. I don't care and never will care what a Yankee likes. Yankees Suck. Good tagline material...
I recall any national stories about offended people complaining about all those Bush Sucks tee shirts. Or, worse, complaining about the movie about the assination of GW.
Wear a t-shirt that says:
“I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could.”
or
“You may all go to hell. I am going to Texas.” David Crockett
Sports venues have to trade off the wishes of one set of fans who want to express themselves against the rest who have to see their shirts, signs, etc. If they don't draw a line somewhere, you know the messages will degenerate further. The Yankees, and apparently the Rangers, have decided to draw the line at "Sucks". I agree with their decisions. Wish our shopping malls would do the same.
I did find the use of "Sucks" funny once on TV. There was a drippy show called the Silver Spoons. John Houseman was a guest star and people were assuming he liked some painting. In his best, stuffy British voice he rebuked them saying: "I think it sucks." The shock value (him, back then) was funny.
What if one lives in a majority liberal state south of the Mason-Dixon?
;)
Oooh. Nicely played.
I tell you what,
from the responses here,
Texas, not Virginia, will be getting my “material” support
when the balloon goes up.
That's exactly what I was talking about in my post 49, and that is the reason it should not be used in polite society.
>>>The Rangers implemented a code of conduct for fans several years ago after some people complained they were offended by shirts such as hers, a team spokesman said.
Bush’s fault?
Let me give you a different perspective as I attend Rangers games quite frequently.
Unlike some of your winning clubs like Red Sox, Yankees etc, our Rangers are pretty much awful. We have never won a Pennant.
Thus, what has happened to the Rangers is that the type of people we get to our games is VERY different than the type of people I have seen in ORD, BOS or NYC. In those cities you get a good mix of team fanatic men and families.
With us it is mostly families. We almost resemble a Minor League baseball team in our atmosphere. Lots of young families with tons of small kids. Half empty stadium. People there mostly to show their kids a good time and build bonding time with them.
As such, you can well imagine, our attitude in the ballpark is well like it would be if you were at a Disney park. We think of this as a family place and a young kids place.
So a word like “suck” (which definitely many of us in the South find cheap and tacky) is definitely out of place here.
Not trying to sound too goody goody and Christiany here. Just giving you an alternate view.
Cheers!
This Red Sox fan would be very happy with Derek Jeter at Short Stop for us.
“That team sure did suck last night. They just plain sucked! I’ve seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked!”
The common opinion was that they got what they deserved.
And this was an all-male college.
*shrug* Meanings change over time. 'Snafu' and 'scumbag' have vulgar origins but are in commonplace use even in polite company.
LOL, thanks but it really was meant as a friendly jab at central_va; for the record, I was referencing my own state, er “People’s Republic” of Maryland.
I actually don’t consider Maryland as part of the south, in my mind at least, even though it is technically south of the Mason-Dixon line. This state, or more precisely, Baltimore and PG county are such a joke it’s not even funny. I’ve pretty much given up on local politics around here.
From the Merriam-Webster on line dictionary: suck 4slang : to be objectionable or inadequate The article, and some of the comments, read like we are letting “them” steal the language again.
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