"Increased fan violence at Lions football games is
being blamed on heavy drinking during tailgate parties in
the Silverdome parking lot -- an illegal practice apparently
condoned by Lions and Silverdome officials, as well as
police," according to Ron French of the DETROIT NEWS. In
the latest incident, a fan remains in serious condition at a
Pontiac, MI, hospital "in what appears to have been a
drunken brawl" during Sunday's game. While police, stadium
and concession officials meet before and during games to
decide when to cut off beer sales, French writes that
officials "have done little to contain the drinking that
occurs before the games in the stadium parking lot." A city
ordinance forbids open containers of alcohol on the grounds
of the Silverdome. Lions VP Bill Keenist said security of
the parking lot is the responsibility of the Stadium
Authority. Keenist: "We see tailgating as part of the lore
of professional football. ... Our position is, we want to do
whatever we can so that our fans have a safe enjoyable time"
(DETROIT NEWS, 9/30). Silverdome and Lions officials say
Sunday's fight, "while serious, was isolated between two
people among nearly 80,000, including several thousand Green
Bay fans" (Brian Murphy, DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/30).
