After Doing a Bang-Up Job With Players, Goodell Unveils 'Fan Code of Conduct'

Like the title says, the NFL is branching out from their highly successful (note the sarcasm) players code of conduct and putting one together for the fans.

Yes, the Fan Code of Conduct is here!!!!

"The in-stadium experience is critically important to the NFL, our clubs and our fans and it will be a major focus this season," Goodell said in a statement. "We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can -- from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium."

Now, most of the rules are common sense and aren't really shocking. Behavior that is unruly or illegal, drunkenness that result in irresponsible behavior, foul language or obscene gestures, throwing objects on the field and failure to follow instructions of stadium personnel. Those are all pretty straight forward and reasonable.

However, there is another one. "Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team". I get the "physical" part of that. We don't need to have grown men get in a fight because someone said their team sucks. We don't need someone throwing popcorn or spilling beer on an opposing fan.

Still, what constitutes as "verbal harrassment"? Sure, if one fan mouths off to another fan who doesn't retaliate, I can see cause for concern. But half the fun of going to any sporting event is talking smack in the crowd. I've been that jerk who wears the opposing team's stuff to a game just so people talk junk to me. I was rooting for the Browns at a game they played here in Cincinnati just because I wanted to hear the boos. I've been a North Carolina fan wearing blue at an NC State football game (well, that is my team). And the list goes on.

I want to be that guy wearing Redskins stuff at Texas Stadium (my insurance information will be tattooed to my body). That Tar Heel fan sitting among the Cameron Crazies.

I agree that there should be a limit to it ... but some people just don't understand how to deal with smack talk during any sporting event, or life in general. Part of sporting events is that "ganging up" mentality towards the other team that it does spill over to their fans in the stands.

Maybe the rule should say "excessive verbal or harassment of fans from the opposing team". Give us a little to start ... and then make us move on.