Some travel agents in Minnesota are warning Vikings fans to be careful around Philadelphia Eagles fans, saying they should even consider removing their Minnesota jerseys and apparel for today's NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
One admits the warnings sound "like we're almost talking about gangs."
Drew Baydala of Minneapolis' Ticket King told CBS Philadelphia he's warning Vikings fans to "remove their colors" if Minnesota wins.
"If the Vikings win, yes, I would take off any sort of, like, colors," Baydala said. "I know it sounds ridiculous, like we're almost talking about gangs here, but it's no joke down in Philly. It really isn't."
Philadelphia sports fans are among the most enthusiastic in American sports, so supposedly heartless they once infamously booed Santa Claus at an Eagles game. Some outsiders would say that enthusiasm sometimes goes too far. Before last Saturday's Eagles-Atlanta Falcons game, a drunken Eagles fan allegedly punched a police officer's horse, also striking the officer.
Steve Erban, marketing director with Minnesota-based Creative Charters, offered this to Vikings fans: "I would advise you not to be over inebriated because [Eagles fans] will be."
Empty victory
The director of finance/Controller filled in as the public address announcer. The chief operating officer acted as the arena DJ. Ticket sales staff. They worked as the ice crew. A corporate salesman ran the video board. The cameraman regularly handles merchandise. Even the mascot, Chubby, was played by a corporate servicing specialist.
Wednesday night wasn't your typical American Hockey League game at Bojangles' Coliseum for the Charlotte Checkers. Inclement weather in the area forced the team to close the game to the public. But since the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and referees were already in town, and it would have been difficult to get Bridgeport back to Charlotte for a makeup, it was game on.
So in front of a crowd of, well, Checkers employees doubling as game operations staff, the teams played and the home side came out on top 4-3.
The lack of a crowd didn't stop the Checkers from acting like it was a normal game day. The mascot kept working and even "Cotton-Eyed Joe" was played.
This wasn't the first time the team has played a game that was closed to the public. Back in 2016, a winter storm caused a number of sporting events to be postponed, but not for the Checkers, who had their staff run the game.
Quotemark
Texas freshman Mo Bamba scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 5 shots in the Longhorns' 67-58 victory over Texas Tech on Wednesday night.
Bamba's performance impressed Texas Tech Coach Chris Beard:
"I think he could block the moon AND the sun."
Sports quiz
What two NFC teams did the Philadelphia Eagles defeat to reach the 2004 Super Bowl?
Sports answer
The Minnesota Vikings (27-14) and the Atlanta Falcons (27-10).
TIM COOPER
Sports on 01/21/2018