By David G Firestone
So I was originally going to discuss some racing news this week. However, a few things happened, independent each other, that prove something that I’ve been saying for some time. I’ve been a wrestling fan, and wrestling fans give wrestling fans a bad name. Well, as it turns out, football and baseball fans can also give their own fan bases a bad name.
We start with Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell. During the Wildcard match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell took it upon himself t berate and curse out a female Packers fan. He called her some very nasty and vicious names, and made an ass out of himself. He didn’t realize that he was being filmed, and the footage went viral. Well, Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell is no longer a true Eagles fan, as he has been banned from all Eagles home games, and I suspect many other stadiums might ban him too.
Well, as these things go, it went from bad to worse. Since Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell worked for BCT Partners…a DEI-focused management consulting firm based in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Well, BCT Partners issued a statement via social media on January 14, 2025, which reads as follows:
“We, the management of BCT Partners, have concluded the internal personnel investigation regarding an employee who was caught on a video outside of the workplace making highly offensive and misogynistic statements. In keeping with our company values, which are firmly centered on respect, dignity, and inclusion, we have decided to part company with the employee. This separation is effective immediately.
We condemn our former employee’s conduct in the strongest possible terms. This individual’s conduct and language were vile, disgusting, unacceptable, and horrific and have no place in our workplace and society. Such conduct is not who we are and not what we stand for.
At the same time, again to be true to our values, we can condemn the actions without condemning the individual. None of us deserve to be remembered for actions taken on our worst day. We have offered grace and support to our former employee. We hope that he will grow and we all can learn from this deeply disturbing incident. That’s what real inclusion is and does. That is also who we are and what we stand for.
We sincerely apologize to the victim and for the many ways in which these events already have impacted so many people. We remain committed to gender equity and fostering a culture of respect and dignity for all.”
Ryan Caldwell has had his life ruined by his own actions. Rather than just come out and apologize for his actions, Caldwell had a different take on the situation. According to Caldwell himself:
“While attending an NFL game last Sunday to support my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, an incident occurred that I deeply regret. What began as banter with two Packers fans sitting near me escalated to something more serious, and I said things that were unacceptable. In the heat of the moment, I chose unforgiving words to address one of the fans, Ms. Ally Keller.
I want to sincerely apologize to Ms. Keller for those words, and to my wife, family, and friends, my former employer and colleagues, Packer fans, Eagle fans, the Philadelphia Eagles, the City of Philadelphia, and all who were offended. That said, there are two sides to every story. The video clip circulating online does not reflect the full context of what transpired, and my actions were not without provocation. I will live with this experience, and I am certainly paying a personal price. For those who don’t know me, this incident does not reflect my values or the respect I have for others and is not indicative of the person I am.”
Ryan Caldwell needs to learn the concept of “let them be the idiots.” Just because other people are acting like idiots doesn’t give you the right to act like one too. Be the bigger person and not respond. You gave the world the rope they needed to hang you with, and now you’ve lost the ability to go to Eagles games, as well as your occupation. Hope you like working at Target. By the way, do you know how shitty of an EAGLES FAN you have to be to be seen as the worst?
The second story took place during game four of the World Series in New York. As Mookie Betts tried to catch a foul ball, Yankee fans Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen interfered with the catch. Well not only did they get ejected, but Major League Baseball took action. In a letter sent to the duo, the MLB was very clear about their stance on the situation.
“On Oct. 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, you interfered with play by intentionally and forcefully grabbing a player. Your conduct posed a serious risk to the health and safety of the player and went far over the line of acceptable fan behavior. Based on your conduct, Major League Baseball is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities. You are also hereby banned indefinitely from attending any events sponsored by or associated with MLB. Please be advised that if you are discovered at any MLB property or event, you will be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespass.”
It’s good to see that the teams and leagues are stepping up and kicking fans out of the fan base. These are not isolated incidents. Two fans were banned from MLB for running on to the field and made contact with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.. In Braymer, Missouri, the Braymer C-4 School has been banned from participating in high school basketball games because of bad fan behavior. I could go on, but the point is that bad fans need to be dealt with.
I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again, fan bases need to eat their own on a regular basis. Fan-bases need to identify the liabilities in their own groups, and expel them from the fandom. If they don’t, then the teams and leagues will, and they will NOT show mercy. The EAS scenario community is a community that will expel their own when needed, and they have not hesitated when needed.
I get being a fan, I get supporting your team, and I get having a good time in the stands. This does NOT justify abusive behavior in any capacity. This does not justify running on to the field, or court. This does NOT justify cursing out other fans. Go to the game, support your team, but behave yourself. As the fans I discussed found out, attending games is a privilege, not a right. Your bad behavior will come back to haunt you in this day in age.
Next week, back to racing news…hopefully.
Sources cited:
https://nypost.com/2025/01/15/sports/eagles-fan-ryan-caldwell-breaks-silence-on-vile-video/
https://apnews.com/article/braves-rockies-acuna-fan-0b9cf0752440a7f93429bae4341be025
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