- Joined
- Jul 1, 2010
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- 17,861
So, I just got home from my first ever Rams game, my first ever NFL game. Thanks @Thordaddy @Sum1 and @tahoe for all the suggestions and tips for attending. That Metro link was the best idea ever. Couldn't imagine parking through that insanity, and then leaving with various streets being closed. @Memento I wanted to meet you, but no response?
Here's my review, and remember this is game experience, NOT talking about the game itself. There's plenty of that going on.
I sat in section 114, row J. Around the 45 yard line. Good seats. Nice mix of viewing the field and the sideline with no obstructions.
First, I want to get some of the stuff I didn't like.
-The video boards. I honestly thought they would be a bit bigger. It was hard to see what was going and making things out on the screen. I can chalk that up to me not being used to it. I would honestly prefer if they had one big board.
-The sound from the video boards was kinda staticy. Whenever they played NFL redzone highlights, it was very hard to decipher what was being said.
-The two people who sat directly to my left. Not they were too rowdy, but that was the issue. They were two grumpy folks (a husband and a wife) who barely even cracked a smile. I swear they were PD posters (in fact, I saw the guy checking the RamsStalk on his phone DURING the game). Whenever the Rams made a positive play, they didn't do anything. When they had a bad play, the guy said some smartass remark. That really pissed me off. When Josh Brown hit that field goal to give them 37 points, he incredibly as a grumpy goose said to his wife "let's go" and LEFT with 8 minutes left. Granted, a comeback was a long shot, but it boggles me that someone who paid for tickets would leave with that much time remaining. But it turned out well for me b/c I didn't have to deal with the negative vibes anymore.
-That dome gets freaking HOT with so many people in a tight, enclosed space.
Now, lets get to the things I LOVED.
-I don't ever want to hear that St. Louis fans don't support or don't care about the Rams. That is complete bullshit. Anyone that says otherwise will quickly be ignored by me. That damn dome was LOUD. People are passionate. On the play to Kenny Britt that wasn't, a guy was screaming at the top of his lungs "THERE'S BRITT!!!!! "THERE'S BRITT!!!!!!!!!". Our whole section was screaming at Shaun Hill that Tavon was wide open.
-People know their football here, it's not just a baseball town. It's a sports town. When Will Hayes got ejected, he got a standing ovation by fans near the home tunnel. Those same fans also had some chants going on.
-Crowd noise was insane. Again, it was loud. My ears were ringing at the 2 minute warning at the first half. I can only imagine what a playoff game would be like.
-Remember when there was that thing going around that ushers kept saying people to not stand up. An absolute myth. I was the first one to stand with my arms up with Tre Mason and Lance Kendricks were getting their TDs. No one said anything.
-Another myth: Dome was not empty. People need to realize that no stadium is going to fill up 100%, especially during a regular season game. The lower bowl was essentially full, with a good chunk filled in the mid and upper bowls. Considering what other stadiums have, the Rams have great support. And yes, Rams fans outnumbered the Giants fans. And it wasn't even close.
-The people behind me, in front of me, and directly to the right of me. Unlike those grumpy grumps, these guys were having the time of their lives. Making funny comments, talking to each other, and cheering their assess off.
-Fans are incredibly polite. None of the rude drunkenness or harassment that I told happens at almost every NFL game. No one harassed the Giants fans in attendance.
-Going back to fans being passionate, there were people still cheering and supporting with about 4-5 minutes left. The reaction was great when Chris Givens scored, and when the FG was blocked. People care. I can't emphasize that enough.
-Safety and security was amazing. It was hard not to think of the Ferguson situation going to and leaving the game. But there were no issues and the people on the Metro and the game itself were some of the nicest people I've ever met and talked to. Leaving the game? Easy cheesy. The security and cops were nice as well.
-That damn pro shop was a madhouse. There was a half off sale for everything in the store. So I had to stand in line just to get in the store (and to boot, there were 2 lines). Again, don't anyone ever tell me that the St. Louis fans don't support the team. People were buying things left and right. By the end of the game, lots merch had been cleared out. And after the game when the team lost? People were STILL buying. And this is despite all relocation rumors.
-I did get some gear: A nice gray hat, a throwback knit hat, and a junior Rams football. Plus, I also lucked into getting a James Laurinaitis action figure they were giving out to the first 15,000 fans. The fact that the figure has hair, just like he now has in real life made me smile.
In summary, I highly recommend people who never gone to make the trip to the Dome. It is a great experience and you'll have an even better time. Don't listen to all the negative bullshit people say with attending a game in St. Louis. It's simply not true.
Here's my review, and remember this is game experience, NOT talking about the game itself. There's plenty of that going on.
I sat in section 114, row J. Around the 45 yard line. Good seats. Nice mix of viewing the field and the sideline with no obstructions.
First, I want to get some of the stuff I didn't like.
-The video boards. I honestly thought they would be a bit bigger. It was hard to see what was going and making things out on the screen. I can chalk that up to me not being used to it. I would honestly prefer if they had one big board.
-The sound from the video boards was kinda staticy. Whenever they played NFL redzone highlights, it was very hard to decipher what was being said.
-The two people who sat directly to my left. Not they were too rowdy, but that was the issue. They were two grumpy folks (a husband and a wife) who barely even cracked a smile. I swear they were PD posters (in fact, I saw the guy checking the RamsStalk on his phone DURING the game). Whenever the Rams made a positive play, they didn't do anything. When they had a bad play, the guy said some smartass remark. That really pissed me off. When Josh Brown hit that field goal to give them 37 points, he incredibly as a grumpy goose said to his wife "let's go" and LEFT with 8 minutes left. Granted, a comeback was a long shot, but it boggles me that someone who paid for tickets would leave with that much time remaining. But it turned out well for me b/c I didn't have to deal with the negative vibes anymore.
-That dome gets freaking HOT with so many people in a tight, enclosed space.
Now, lets get to the things I LOVED.
-I don't ever want to hear that St. Louis fans don't support or don't care about the Rams. That is complete bullshit. Anyone that says otherwise will quickly be ignored by me. That damn dome was LOUD. People are passionate. On the play to Kenny Britt that wasn't, a guy was screaming at the top of his lungs "THERE'S BRITT!!!!! "THERE'S BRITT!!!!!!!!!". Our whole section was screaming at Shaun Hill that Tavon was wide open.
-People know their football here, it's not just a baseball town. It's a sports town. When Will Hayes got ejected, he got a standing ovation by fans near the home tunnel. Those same fans also had some chants going on.
-Crowd noise was insane. Again, it was loud. My ears were ringing at the 2 minute warning at the first half. I can only imagine what a playoff game would be like.
-Remember when there was that thing going around that ushers kept saying people to not stand up. An absolute myth. I was the first one to stand with my arms up with Tre Mason and Lance Kendricks were getting their TDs. No one said anything.
-Another myth: Dome was not empty. People need to realize that no stadium is going to fill up 100%, especially during a regular season game. The lower bowl was essentially full, with a good chunk filled in the mid and upper bowls. Considering what other stadiums have, the Rams have great support. And yes, Rams fans outnumbered the Giants fans. And it wasn't even close.
-The people behind me, in front of me, and directly to the right of me. Unlike those grumpy grumps, these guys were having the time of their lives. Making funny comments, talking to each other, and cheering their assess off.
-Fans are incredibly polite. None of the rude drunkenness or harassment that I told happens at almost every NFL game. No one harassed the Giants fans in attendance.
-Going back to fans being passionate, there were people still cheering and supporting with about 4-5 minutes left. The reaction was great when Chris Givens scored, and when the FG was blocked. People care. I can't emphasize that enough.
-Safety and security was amazing. It was hard not to think of the Ferguson situation going to and leaving the game. But there were no issues and the people on the Metro and the game itself were some of the nicest people I've ever met and talked to. Leaving the game? Easy cheesy. The security and cops were nice as well.
-That damn pro shop was a madhouse. There was a half off sale for everything in the store. So I had to stand in line just to get in the store (and to boot, there were 2 lines). Again, don't anyone ever tell me that the St. Louis fans don't support the team. People were buying things left and right. By the end of the game, lots merch had been cleared out. And after the game when the team lost? People were STILL buying. And this is despite all relocation rumors.
-I did get some gear: A nice gray hat, a throwback knit hat, and a junior Rams football. Plus, I also lucked into getting a James Laurinaitis action figure they were giving out to the first 15,000 fans. The fact that the figure has hair, just like he now has in real life made me smile.
In summary, I highly recommend people who never gone to make the trip to the Dome. It is a great experience and you'll have an even better time. Don't listen to all the negative bullshit people say with attending a game in St. Louis. It's simply not true.
