Archive for Bengals

Sore Knees and Ringing Ears

A recent editorial in the Cincinnati Enquirer strongly resonated with me. It was titled ‘standup guy’ a growing force with the standup guy being the Bengals fans that stand up continuously throughout the game even when nothing is happening on the field. This blocks the line of sight for the fans behind them and this standing stance cascades or ascends through the spectators much like an ‘upward wave’ and leaves everyone standing. This phenomenon is seen even in those stands close to the playing field.  It is useless to complain and there seems to be no way to reverse this ‘wave’, because to do so might result in physical and verbal altercations, especially with inebriated fans that are hyper excitable due to alcohol.

If being forced to stand were not enough, the sound levels at Bengal’s games are deafening. There always seems to be a few fans with loud shrill voices (usually sitting immediately behind us) that elevate the noise to decibel levels that assault the ear drums. This is especially true if you have seats located in the end zones. As a physician, I would suggest that all fans bring ear plugs with them to the games.

These two elements of the experience when you go to see a professional football game is the primary reason I gave up my Bengal’s season tickets years ago. I have no solutions to the standing and noise problem, except to have friends that have enclosed boxes and invite you to the games.

I enjoy watching football in the comfort of my home and am pleased that home games no longer need to be sold out to avoid a TV blackout.

-Dick Wendel MD, MBA