The Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys was marred by both a pregame skirmish on the field and a fan brawl in the concourse. Fights among fans in the stands are unfortunately not uncommon, and former NFL defensive end Chris Long has come up with an unconventional solution to address this issue.
Speaking on his “Green Light Podcast,” Long proposed the idea of erecting UFC cages in every NFL stadium to provide a space for fans to settle their disputes. He envisions a fair and controlled environment for these fans to engage in mano-a-mano confrontations.
Long humorously suggested, “There’s no higher ground. There’s no grabbing onto each other’s jerseys. It’s just a one-on-one fight or one-on-one fight, and we find out who wants it more.” He even saw potential in this idea as a revenue source for the NFL, suggesting that with the growing popularity of sports betting, fans could place bets on the fights when the game on the field becomes less competitive.
He playfully envisioned broadcasts, including fight coverage in the fourth quarter of games when little is happening on the field, with commentators like Cris Collinsworth, Al Michaels, and Tony Romo providing the play-by-play for the fan battles.
While the NFL may not be inclined to support such an idea, Chris Long’s proposal adds a unique and humorous perspective on addressing fan fights in stadiums. It may also serve as a deterrent for fans who are tempted to stir up trouble during games, knowing they could end up in an octagon with millions of viewers watching.
