Chargers/Cards Game - The Worst Evening Out I can ever Remember

[SissyBoyFloyd]

I am not talking about the game itself, results of game, or anything like that, although that surely didn't help.

I simply wanted to express my shock and dismay over such a horrible night out and experience of attending an NFL game. It could have a small bit to do with my age, 67, but I don't really think that was really it. Let me describe my experience and then read some of your responses.

First, I was thrilled to see my Cardinals live again. It has been 10 years since I left Phoenix area and landed eventually in north S.D. county. I love it over here, with view of ocean standing in front of my house, and the awesome ocean air and temperatures all year round. I digress.

Paid $20 each to sit where I like the most in any stadium, 1st row of upper deck around 35 yd line. Great views, with being able to put feet up on railing in front of me. Settle in for what I hoped was a great game. But with Palmer's early thrown Pick 6, it didn't look like it would be the Cards day. No problem there really.

What I did discover at Charger's stadium was the worst outdoor speaker system I could ever imagine. Not only could you not understand half of what came out of the monstrous speakers, the noise was NON-STOP, and I mean after every single play, every single moment of pause, and every moment for 3 hours or more. It was so loud and disturbing that it made me a nervous wreck in just a few minutes. And guess what, I am deaf in one ear. They played this overly loud blaring of so called music, which I couldn't begin to tell you what type it was, but also constant introductions of people, cheerleaders, etc, etc. Whatever they could think of to blare out those speakers, they made sure not a moment of silent contemplation or simple enjoyment of watching a game was taken away from you. The worst of all things coming through the speakers though, was actual artificial crowd noise, distorted on top of it. What the hell do fans need to hear piped in artificial sounds of fans constantly cheering for their team on top of their own occassional cheering. That's crazy. How phony and distasteful. Then, of course, they had a canon going off, so loud that you literally, rose out of your seat in fright every time they blew it off. It sounded like it was in the row right behind you it was so loud and soul piercing. This torture was more than I would ever want to endure for anything, anytime. I would gladly pay someone to make sure I never had to endure such an experience again.

But, well I was with a friend so figured I would endure it and just enjoy some good food and drink. What a joke for me to think that. I bought a $6 hot dog which was the cheapest, smallest, poorest quality thing I have ever seen anywhere, including any free promotional dogs they give away at store openings or such. It was nothing but about a 4 or 5" little light brown dog made of something that had absolutely no taste whatsoever on a actual dried out hard bun, handed to you on a tiny curved paper substance (can't call it a plate) like you see at AM/PM gas stations. A coke was like $7 and diluted by the ice so much one couldn't tell what flavor drink it was.

Hey, parking was free for me for some reason I didn't catch. However, it took what would have been like an hour to get out of the stadium, except for a police lights/siren caravan of cop cars which were escorting some player or big wig out of the stadium which I was sharp enough to jump in the midst of and go escorted out of the lot.

I am sorry to say, this will be the last memory I have of attending a ball game. It was my last, I am sure. I can't believe anyone would want to endure that experience more than once in their lifetime, especially pay to possible relive it there or any place else.

Is this what all sporting events are like now? I see the noise of NBA games and know I could never stand to go to one of those. But in an outdoor stadium, I would have expected a better football or baseball experience. It would have been nice to sit back and simply enjoy watching the players play.

Thank god every game is televised and you can enjoy them sitting and eating in your own peaceful home, or even a bar.

Well, I wish I didn't have to remember such a bad experience. I love sports so much and have been to a lot of games which were fun and enjoyable to the max.

Well that was my experience. I meant to relate the week it happened, but put it off a while in hopes that what I wrote might be toned down a bit. I have a real headache right now just thinking and writing this.


Comments, please. Am I just an old fart that the world has passed by. That's okay, I am ready for a long dirt nap anyway.

 

[Jetstream Green]

The Charger front office tends to agree with you lol

 

[Errntknght]

I imagine its a couple of generations of kids ruining their hearing with overly loud music... they need max volume to hear it or maybe they're simply used to it and don't like ordinary sound levels. I can't go to movie theaters because the sound level is above my tolerance zone. My hearing isn't that good any more at 78 - people tell me I need a hearing aid... come to think of of it, good hearing aids might do the trick if they have sound diminution as well sound amplification. Probably the worst thing is soccer games... there are a vast number of air horns going on endlessly - you can barely watch them on TV, if you want to hear the commentary and announcements. I can't imagine going to one.

 

[oaken1]

dude... you have totally disappointed me.

we need a poll on this: Have you ever had a live football experience as bad as Sissyboy?

Yes

No

Oh, worse, far, far worse (explain please)

 

[BigRedRage]

I am not talking about the game itself, results of game, or anything like that, although that surely didn't help.

I simply wanted to express my shock and dismay over such a horrible night out and experience of attending an NFL game. It could have a small bit to do with my age, 67, but I don't really think that was really it. Let me describe my experience and then read some of your responses.

First, I was thrilled to see my Cardinals live again. It has been 10 years since I left Phoenix area and landed eventually in north S.D. county. I love it over here, with view of ocean standing in front of my house, and the awesome ocean air and temperatures all year round. I digress.

Paid $20 each to sit where I like the most in any stadium, 1st row of upper deck around 35 yd line. Great views, with being able to put feet up on railing in front of me. Settle in for what I hoped was a great game. But with Palmer's early thrown Pick 6, it didn't look like it would be the Cards day. No problem there really.

What I did discover at Charger's stadium was the worst outdoor speaker system I could ever imagine. Not only could you not understand half of what came out of the monstrous speakers, the noise was NON-STOP, and I mean after every single play, every single moment of pause, and every moment for 3 hours or more. It was so loud and disturbing that it made me a nervous wreck in just a few minutes. And guess what, I am deaf in one ear. They played this overly loud blaring of so called music, which I couldn't begin to tell you what type it was, but also constant introductions of people, cheerleaders, etc, etc. Whatever they could think of to blare out those speakers, they made sure not a moment of silent contemplation or simple enjoyment of watching a game was taken away from you. The worst of all things coming through the speakers though, was actual artificial crowd noise, distorted on top of it. What the hell do fans need to hear piped in artificial sounds of fans constantly cheering for their team on top of their own occassional cheering. That's crazy. How phony and distasteful. Then, of course, they had a canon going off, so loud that you literally, rose out of your seat in fright every time they blew it off. It sounded like it was in the row right behind you it was so loud and soul piercing. This torture was more than I would ever want to endure for anything, anytime. I would gladly pay someone to make sure I never had to endure such an experience again.

But, well I was with a friend so figured I would endure it and just enjoy some good food and drink. What a joke for me to think that. I bought a $6 hot dog which was the cheapest, smallest, poorest quality thing I have ever seen anywhere, including any free promotional dogs they give away at store openings or such. It was nothing but about a 4 or 5" little light brown dog made of something that had absolutely no taste whatsoever on a actual dried out hard bun, handed to you on a tiny curved paper substance (can't call it a plate) like you see at AM/PM gas stations. A coke was like $7 and diluted by the ice so much one couldn't tell what flavor drink it was.

Hey, parking was free for me for some reason I didn't catch. However, it took what would have been like an hour to get out of the stadium, except for a police lights/siren caravan of cop cars which were escorting some player or big wig out of the stadium which I was sharp enough to jump in the midst of and go escorted out of the lot.

I am sorry to say, this will be the last memory I have of attending a ball game. It was my last, I am sure. I can't believe anyone would want to endure that experience more than once in their lifetime, especially pay to possible relive it there or any place else.

Is this what all sporting events are like now? I see the noise of NBA games and know I could never stand to go to one of those. But in an outdoor stadium, I would have expected a better football or baseball experience. It would have been nice to sit back and simply enjoy watching the players play.

Thank god every game is televised and you can enjoy them sitting and eating in your own peaceful home, or even a bar.

Well, I wish I didn't have to remember such a bad experience. I love sports so much and have been to a lot of games which were fun and enjoyable to the max.

Well that was my experience. I meant to relate the week it happened, but put it off a while in hopes that what I wrote might be toned down a bit. I have a real headache right now just thinking and writing this.


Comments, please. Am I just an old fart that the world has passed by. That's okay, I am ready for a long dirt nap anyway.

sounds like an NBA game.

 

[jmt]

Have you been to an NHL game recently? The constant blaring of music when play stops is pathetic. We had a good time before and during the Cards-Rams game last year in Phoenix however and the mood at Nats games is not so bad.

 

[Goldfield]

I had season ticket for years. I enjoy the games more with family at home. Eating and drinking what ever I want without the insane price tag.

 

[Garthshort]

I've been a Cards fan since 1947 and had only seen them play, in person, when they played the Giants or Jets (in NY/NJ) since I live in NY, and don't fly. Well in 2012, I believe, my wife and I left New Rochelle, NY by train to travel to Arizona. We left at 8:30AM on a Monday, the day after watching them at the Meadowlands, play the Jets, the game in which Anquan Boldin was injured. Three train rides brought us into Flagstaff on Wednesday night at 10:30. We rented a car and toured the beautiful state of Arizona and New Mexico in our two week stay. We got to see two Cardinal victories, Buffalo and Dallas (OT).

On gameday we left our hotel in Scotsdale and drove to UOP Stadium. We had tickets but no parking passes. So we had to park in the furthest parking location at a school parking lot, with no charge for parking. We, and others, were transported for free, via a school bus, to the stadium. And the bus was there after the game for the return trip. The weather was hot until we got into the air conditioned UOP, and were able to walk around and explore the great home venue of my Cardinals. Also, I couldn't believe how nice and helpful everyone was that worked, either in the stadium or on the bus. I'm sorry everyone doesn't get to experience game days at the stadium, the way we did. Great memories.

 

[az240zz]

dude... you have totally disappointed me.

we need a poll on this: Have you ever had a live football experience as bad as Sissyboy?

Yes

No

Oh, worse, far, far worse (explain please)

A game at Sun Devil Stadium in September... Nothing like 2 mile walks to the stadium, cold crappy food and peeing in horse troughs when the temperature is 105. Oh and the wet butt from the sweat sitting on the metal benches..

 

[TJ]

I was at the game, too. I've actually been to the last three Chargers/Cards games at Qualcomm (2010, 2014 PS, 2016 PS). That stadium is such a ******** and is not much of an upgrade over SDS.

I sat in the lower level row 4 on the 50 yard line. There were spiderwebs under most of the seats. The aisles were cracking and had to be reinforced by steel plates. The paint on the seats is chipping away, the railing sectioning off the seats from the feel was loose. I told the usher, "no wonder you guys want out of this place so bad." He just smiled and laughed.

 

[Big Deal]

A game at Sun Devil Stadium in September... Nothing like 2 mile walks to the stadium, cold crappy food and peeing in horse troughs when the temperature is 105. Oh and the wet butt from the sweat sitting on the metal benches..

Those were the days!

 

[MrYeahBut]

I'm a senior citizen and experience some of the same things myself. I can't have the sound on at home during some NBA playoff games because of the incessant Da Da Da of the freaking organ in the arena. Drives me nuts.

Movies are sometimes too loud. I took some geezer friends to an LL Cool J concert and they walked out after 2 min because of the volume... This is coming from a guy who spent a good deal of time close to the speakers at the Filmore West at Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, etc concerts.

UoP stadium is a terrific experience imo. Maybe it's because I'm usually so into the game that I don't mind the noise. I've even started joining in the 'Move the chains, move the chains, move the chains, Move' chant after a 1st down... Even though it borders on being as obnoxious as the 'in-COM-plete' chant at Bronco games.

I'm uncomfortable around drunks or stupid fans as much as the next guy so I sit in the alcohol free section when I can. But overall I love the experience there. Of course, the Cards win there most of the time so that helps.

Yeah, It's expensive traveling from Albq a couple times a year, but those days spent there are precious to me.

 

[Reign Blood]

When to Cards/Rams game every year in Stl. It was awesome.

 

[BigRedRage]

I'm a senior citizen and experience some of the same things myself. I can't have the sound on at home during some NBA playoff games because of the incessant Da Da Da of the freaking organ in the arena. Drives me nuts.

Movies are sometimes too loud. I took some geezer friends to an LL Cool J concert and they walked out after 2 min because of the volume... This is coming from a guy who spent a good deal of time close to the speakers at the Filmore West at Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, etc concerts.

UoP stadium is a terrific experience imo. Maybe it's because I'm usually so into the game that I don't mind the noise. I've even started joining in the 'Move the chains, move the chains, move the chains, Move' chant after a 1st down... Even though it borders on being as obnoxious as the 'in-COM-plete' chant at Bronco games.

I'm uncomfortable around drunks or stupid fans as much as the next guy so I sit in the alcohol free section when I can. But overall I love the experience there. Of course, the Cards win there most of the time so that helps.

Yeah, It's expensive traveling from Albq a couple times a year, but those days spent there are precious to me.

you must be near section 121 if you are hearing that move the chains chant

 

[MrYeahBut]

you must be near section 121 if you are hearing that move the chains chant

Alcohol free is like 113 or 114, and I've had tix in 104 and heard it there too.

 

[BigRedRage]

Alcohol free is like 113 or 114, and I've had tix in 104 and heard it there too.

interesting, maybe it is bigger than I thought. The only time I ever heard it was a pair of guys behing me in section 121. sat there for 5 years and they were very consistant about it.

 

[BigRedRage]

Alcohol free is like 113 or 114, and I've had tix in 104 and heard it there too.

are their less fights and less douchebags in the alcohol free sections?

 

[eastcoastSUN]

Here's a video from that game from our QB throwing an incompletion. I agree, the stadium is probably the most run down arena in the league. They need to get a new stadium in place his year or else you're looking at the LA chargers next year.

Speaking of SoCal, seems like a few from this board are from SD. Any Cards bars in the SD area?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[MrYeahBut]

are their less fights and less douchebags in the alcohol free sections?

No fights I've ever seen. People are generally pretty well behaved there. But you know, there's always an asshat or 2. Bengals game last year though, there was this lady in front of me who kept holding up a sign that said Frosty for MVP (lol). People behind me complained and Safe made her put it away. She got bitter and left in the 3rd qtr.

I've never quite understood all the complaints about people standing up during games. Every section that I've been in, except maybe the upper deck, people stand all the time.

 

[BigRedRage]

No fights I've ever seen. People are generally pretty well behaved there. But you know, there's always an asshat or 2. Bengals game last year though, there was this lady in front of me who kept holding up a sign that said Frosty for MVP (lol). People behind me complained and Safe made her put it away. She got bitter and left in the 3rd qtr.

I've never quite understood all the complaints about people standing up during games. Every section that I've been in, except maybe the upper deck, people stand all the time.

i used to have people complain about me standing pretty much every single game. One of the many reasons i dont have season tickets anymore and just come to one or two games a year. got tired of my shoulder being tapped by safe because I stand while we are on defense.

 

[ARZCardinals]

I was at that game...lower level Cards side. I have no idea of this noise you spoke of...neither did the 7 other people we were with.
Yea that stadium sucks getting in and out....but the game wasn't even 1/5 full by games end. We were out of there in 15 min. Not sure when u left but I find it hard to believe it took an hour....
Not to be mean , but as a season ticket holder my estimation is you are old and not used to going to games and the experience that comes with it.
Go to more games and you'll get the deal of being with 65k people.
Add to it your tickets were $20!!! What did you expect to get for an NFL game at $20? Preseason is also preseason for the staff working the games...they're a bit slow...about game 3 it's dialed in.
My advice is either go to a regular season game or just stay home.

 

[sunsfan88]

As an actual Chargers fan who has been to many home games, I can tell you first hand that Qualcolmm Stadium is a dump. I don't take my family there anymore because I don't trust that thing to actually hold up. I feel like one of these days it's gonna come crashing down.

Everything in that stadium is outdated. That stadium is a black mark on the city of San Diego which is actually beautiful and better than any other NFL city.

I hope now people can understand why the Chargers have such horrible attendance at their games. It's not cause the Chargers only have bandwagon fans, it's because nobody wants to pay so much to go sit in a dump frightened and scared for your life. I'll take watching the game on my 65 in tv with my girl and dog on the couch over the "Qualcolmm experience".