Time For Fans To Grow Up!

               The Flyers won in a shootout last night at the Wells Fargo Center against the Devils, but the more important story is about a Devils fan who was hospitalized.  A 17 year old Devils fan was punched and choked by Flyers fans in the arena after the game, and as a result was hospitalized.
Absolutely no one deserves to be hospitalized because they cheer for another team, and it is time for fans everywhere to GROW UP!  These incidents are not isolated to Philadelphia, but Philly does seem to have the worst reputation, puking on a cops daughter, just to name one case.  While Philly has a bad reputation, fans being assaulted has become an epidemic across the United States and the world.  Two years ago Bryan Stow was left comatose after being assaulted by Dodgers fans in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium.  Incidents like these tarnish the sporting event and sports as a whole and it is time to end the madness.
                I am a huge sports fan, and yes I condone the occasional taunting of rival fans at games, but I draw the line at a few boos and maybe a (insert team name here) stinks!  Harmless taunting is fine in my books, but harassing a fellow fan for entire games or starting a physical confrontation is completely uncalled for.  They paid to attend the event just like you, and are entitled to cheer for whatever team they please.  Just because you do not cheer for the same team does not give you any reason or excuse to abuse or assault another person.  It seems as though these stories of fan abuse are becoming more common, and while it may just be that word of them spreads quicker in the social media age, its time to put it to an end.
                 The Devils fan exited the Wells Fargo Center on a stretcher last night for no reason.  Unruly "fans" punched and choked him and left him unconscious.  These type of people are not fans, they are lunatics who just look for an excuse to cause trouble.  No one deserves to be assaulted just because of the team they root for, especially a minor.  I implore you all, please end the madness, allow other fans to enjoy the game, and draw the line at some harmless boos.  There is never a need to get physical or abuse another person.  Please take my advice and GROW UP!