NFL stadiums are really cracking down on their carry-in policies this year – airport security style. This season, the NFL announced a nation-wide public safety enhancement by enforcing strict bag policy, and fans had mixed opinions on the matter.
The following is the list of what will be allowed inside stadium gates, outlined by the NFL.
-clear, plastic bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”
-one-gallon or smaller clear, plastic freezer bag (yes, you may carry your possessions into the stadium in a Ziploc sandwich baggie)
-small clutch purse no bigger than the size of a hand
Fans are still allowed to bring their cell phones, cameras, binoculars and any necessary medical equipment to the games. Tailgating rules will also proceed as they have in previous years.
The NFL claims that these new measures will make create a safer environment for fans and make it easier for them to enter stadiums.
With one week of regular-season play under way, fans are not happy with the new restrictions. ABC reports that one fan and blogger was especially upset about the bag ban, saying that it is a breach on people's privacy – especially women's. “Do you feel safer knowing who has a tampon stash?” Jen Verrillo wrote on Facebook. “Are you terrified that under-appreciated soccer moms are secretly terrorists? My guess is no.” Other female fans agree with Verrillo, maintaining that the new regulations are discriminatory towards women.
But many fans are indifferent, saying that you should only be bringing the essentials to watch a football game, anyway. Retired New Jersey police officer James Kenny told the New York Times, “I’d rather be safer than sorry...If you have nothing to hide, it’s fine.” With the state of the world right now, and all the security being enforced everywhere, it's not that big of a change, after all.
Make sure you check out your stadium's website to get more information so you don't get to the gate just to have to run your bag back to the car that's parked a mile away.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
