Super Bowl 2012: Patriots Fans Should Expect Harsh Reception from City of Indy

I can’t remember a Super Bowl that featured a team going to a neutral site with such a disadvantage in regards to fan base.

Most of the time, both teams are welcomed with open arms and little hostility by the Super Bowl host city.

Not so much for New England this year.

If New England fans think they can come to Indianapolis celebrating this year’s achievements, they will be in for a rude awakening come February 5.

There’s more than hatred for the Patriots in Indianapolis.

Patriot fans will be far outnumbered, as they’re not just battling against New York Giants fans, but also against the whole city of Indianapolis. Most establishments will welcome Patriots fans, but they won’t be very happy about it.

My suggestion to any Patriot fan would be to leave the New England gear in the suitcase until walking into Lucas Oil Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday.

I can almost guarantee you that you will get heavily taunted and put into situations that are less than pleasing. If you try and start anything with Giants fans or even local hecklers, you will be far outnumbered and have little aid on your side.

My guess would be that most establishments will kick the Patriot fans out, even if they’re not the instigators.

When you mix a week full or drinking and hostility, bad situations arise—especially when you’re hated and outnumbered.

It’s a shame and definitely sad, but there’s so much disgust for New England and their fans here in Indy that it will be very hostile for the Patriot’s fan base.

People all over social media have said they plan to go downtown just to make it miserable to New England fans.

Indianapolis feels this way towards the Patriots because of the Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning rivalry and the negative opinions of Bill Belichick.

Adding to that hatred for the Patriots is the love for the Manning family. With Eli Manning any organization coming into Indy would more than likely not have the majority of the local support.

It is no surprise that most Hoosiers have said they can’t stand the sight of New England playing on their home field for the Super Bowl, let alone win it. For that reason, you would think the Colts were playing in the Super Bowl by the hype surrounding the Giants coming to the city.

People see this matchup as Eli defending brother Peyton’s home turf against the evil Patriots, with most unconcerned about the other players on the Giants roster.

Proving the hostility towards the Patriots are the shirts with slogans such as “Brady Swallows” or “Buck Frady” that are available at any time of the year from street vendors in the city.

It can be July, and you could easily find one of those shirts.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if those are the most popular shirts worn outside of Super Bowl paraphernalia the next two weeks.

I will go on record and say Patriot fans should act how they normally do when they come to town.

I’ve been to three Pats/Colts games here in Indianapolis and countless other games, and I can honestly say New England fans were the most respectful out of any other fan base that has traveled here.

Not once did I see a Pats fan start anything with Colts fans after getting heckled, and I honestly saw Pats fans buying Colts fans beer and trying to be civil.

After the AFC Championship game, in which the Pats lost, I saw many Patriot fans giving high fives to Colts fans, celebrating with Colts fans and saying that the Colts team deserves to finally get a chance at a Super Bowl.

Would do that if your team lost the game to go to the Super Bowl?

To all the Patriots fans, I would just be yourself and try and be civil because there will be vulgar words said in your direction, things thrown at you and people just acting in immature ways towards you, all because of the team you’re cheering for.

It’s sad, but true.