From Womanspace Jan/Feb 2008
 "Sue’s Views"**

Boys As Boors

When I called the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to discuss the ugly behavior of the male fans at Jets games, I got a pleasant surprise.  The new President and CEO, Dennis Robinson, called me back.

But first, for those of you who do not know the story, I must digress.  On November 18 the Jets played against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Giants Stadium, their home base.  Apparently it is a “tradition” at Jets games for the male fans to gather on one of the pedestrian ramps at halftime and shout at female passers-by, demanding they expose their breasts.

Although one woman complied, that was not enough action for the fans.

One disappointed 18-year-old said “we’re used to seeing a lot more.”  A 20-year-old commented “ this is the game.”  I assume he meant he didn’t come primarily to watch a football game but to participate in this crowd madness.  When a woman does not comply, the crowd can get even nastier, throwing plastic bottles and spitting.

There is no lack of security at these games.  The NJSEA is primarily responsible.  They have the power to expel anyone.  If an arrest is warranted, the New Jersey State Police is there to do that.  As a matter of fact when one woman did the crowd’s bidding, she was reminded by a guard of the indecent exposure laws.  She replied, “I don’t care.  I love my body, etc.”  Well at least she had learned one feminist lesson.  An unfinished education, I would say.

But to get back to the guards, when it came to the raucous crowd they did nothing.

When I spoke to Mr. Robinson, who had been on the job only a few days, I asked him why at Jet games and not at other games.  He said, “Every event has a separate personality.”  When I asked him who is most responsible for making changes, he said “Definitely the NJSEA.”  I then asked what changes were being considered.  He said they were working on a “security plan that will be implemented on an ongoing basis.  It will definitely be a visible change,” he assured me.

I am no fan of professional football.  I will have to leave it up to you who may be, to monitor the situation.  If you are not pleased, at least you now know to whom to address your complaints.  Dennis Robinson seems to have an open ear.
 

**Suzanne Messing is a member of the Northern New Jersey NOW chapter.

Contact Sue and/or Northern New Jersey NOW at NNJNOW@nownj.org.