There is an article on jsonline today about how intoxicated fans are becoming a greater liability at sporting events. The article references the whole Detroit Pistons/Indiana Pacers basketball episode earlier this year, and another episode where a 2-year old girl was paralyzed from getting hit by a drunken fan who had attended a New York Giants football game. The result of this is that professional sports teams are beginning to “reassess” their alcohol policies so that this sort of thing doesn’t happen in the future.

Just as a reference, here are the policies for selling liquor at sporting events in Wisconsin:

Any College Sporting Event: Alcohol sales are not permitted
Green Bay Packers: League policy that all alcohol sales are stopped after the third quarter of the game
Milwaukee Bucks: Beer sales are cut off with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Sales of other alcoholic beverages end with 6 minutes left in the third quarter
Milwaukee Brewers: Beer sales are cut off exactly 2½ hours after the first pitch

I have mixed feelings about this. While I think that professional sports teams have a responsibility to maintain a safe and appropriate atmosphere, they also have a right to earn money and provide a fun atmosphere. For many people alcohol is a big part of the “fun.” Yes, I think it’s sad and unfortunate that this poor little 2-year old girl had this happen to her. But how is the fact that this man was at a NY Giants game relevant? Is it any different that the guy being at a bar or even at his own home drinking and then getting behind the wheel? I just think there is a certain point where we, as a society, need to stop placing the blame on the organizations providing the alcohol and start placing the blame on ourselves. If you’re drinking alcohol, you should be an adult and take the responsibility of your actions.

Stop pointing the finger and start pulling the thumb.