During the last Super Bowl night, police reported 29 arrests for disorderly conduct and issued notices. Citizens vandalized city sanitation trucks, banks, and retail stores. Similar misconduct occurred when the Eagles won the NFC Championship. Not only were there shootings, a stabbing, and a car crash, but there were also unfortunate fatalities. Some researchers claim a clear link between football season and crime. As the NFL season started last Sunday, a Buffalo Bills fan who pushed Lamar Jackson during the Baltimore Ravens’ loss has now been “indefinitely banned from Bills and NFL stadiums”.
What would cause citizens to destroy their own city or assault their loved ones? The National Football League regular season officially kicks off the first week of September, initiating a 6-month period of heightened emotions for fans across the country. Stakes will only increase as the months pass, leaving fans devastated if they lose and ecstatic if they win.
Although thousands innocently associate the football season with cheerful feelings, hot dogs, and extensive halftime shows, it has also been associated with a rise in crime.
Football Season Linked to Disorderly Conduct & Vandalism
Herd mentality is a phenomenon where an individual’s behavior is influenced by the actions of a crowd, and the emergent norm theory suggests that the behavior of a collective is motivated by social norms that emerge in that exact and unique moment. The excitement of a football game could easily lead to one person engaging in disorderly conduct, which inspires another, and soon it appears normal to partake in these behaviors that they would otherwise not do if they were alone.
On that Super Bowl night, police reported 29 arrests for disorderly conduct and issued notices. Citizens vandalized city sanitation trucks, banks, and retail stores. Similar misconduct occurred when the Eagles won the NFC Championship. Not only were there shootings, a stabbing, and a car crash, but also an 18-year-old boy unfortunately died when falling from a light pole.
It’s important to remember that the federal and state laws still apply in these moments, even if it may feel like an alternate reality.
Increase in Domestic Violence on NFL Game Days
What causes people to inflict violence on the people closest to them? The typical domestic violence crimes for which the police must make a mandatory arrest if they believe there is probable cause are:
- Assault
- Strangulation
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Disobeying court orders
Specific charges will depend on the severity of the situation and the jurisdiction. However, police are still required to take action if they have probable cause.
A study done by economists David Card at the University of California, Berkeley, and Gordon B. Dahl at the University of California, San Diego, found that there was a 10% increase in domestic violence on days where there was an upset loss. They define this as “defeats when the home team was predicted to win by four or more points.” This is particularly higher in States where sports betting is legal. Unexpected losses often result in anger, disappointment, and other negative emotions that many may struggle to manage during football season. However, it is never okay to assault someone else to relieve your own emotions.
Domestic violence is estimated to affect around 10 million people a year in the United States. Many cases often go unreported out of fear of consequences and safety concerns, leaving victims in a vulnerable state where they may feel trapped. It is important to know that there are resources to help those who have been impacted. One way to protect victims is by issuing protective orders from the courts.
Alcohol-Related Arrests
During football season, binge drinking may become a casual behavior to engage in. Alcohol has been linked to impaired decision-making, aggressive behavior, poor coordination, and reduced inhibitions. This could lead to making mistakes that will be regretted once sober.
A study found that on college football game days of a campus with a successful NCAA Division I team, alcohol-related arrests increased in comparison to other days and holidays. Game days were reported to have an average of 70 arrests, while control days had an average of 12, and holidays had an average of 11.
This isn’t to say that the NFL has the same impact, but the implications can be speculated. Binge-drinking on game days can lead to a bad night. It is important to drink responsibly.
What to Do If You Get Arrested
If you or a loved one ends up carried away by the football season, there is help and a constitutional right that protects you from excessive bail. You can always contact a bail bond agency if there is a bond amount involved, as bondsmen can process your immediate release in exchange for a fee. An arrest doesn’t have to be the end; it can also be an opportunity for change. Know your rights after an arrest and always keep a phone number memorized to call for help. Follow these tips to avoid a sudden arrest during football season.
