Super Bowl watching can be volatile for rival teams’ fans

Matt Donnelly is used to rooting for his Giants in the company of people rooting against them. It's something an NFL fan in Las Vegas learns to accept. Donnelly's grown so accustomed to the potentially awkward situation, in fact, he has a system of etiquette for dealing with it. The system centers around not offending the enemy's fans and, more importantly, not getting offended.

Today, as the New York Giants face off -- again -- against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, it would be easy to do both. Consequently, Super Bowl etiquette has never been more necessary.

Donnelly, a 33-year-old comedian and Improv Vegas instructor, says the most crucial rule of thumb concerns eye contact.

"The louder you cheer, the more directly you look at the TV," he says. "You're not allowed to look at the other team's fans."

But, don't be afraid to acknowledge them. If Donnelly's watching the Giants play in a sports book, he makes a habit of giving the other fans a "little nod of the head," but nothing more. Always decked out in head-to-toe blue and white, he usually plants himself in front of a conspicuous TV to sniff out the scene.

After the first few plays he decides, based on the cheers, whether he's in the majority or the minority. If it's the former, he stays right where he's at. If it's the latter, he finds a TV "off to the side."

After all, the last thing you want to hear when your team disappoints you is the sound of sheer joy.

"It can really tick you off," he says. "Especially when the opposing team's defense is doing really well, making your quarterback look stupid. And, it's easy to make Eli Manning look stupid."

Since today's Super Bowl is a rematch, tensions will run especially high. The Giants pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history against the three-time Super Bowl champs in a nail-biting finish of 17-14 four years ago.

G-Men fans hope to taste sweet victory once again. Pats fans want nothing more than to wipe that taste out of their mouths. For Super Bowl ratings, it could mean wonders. For Super Bowl parties, it could mean bouncers.

Kim Lehman, manager at Cavalier Lounge & Restaurant, has never had to kick anyone out of her bar because of a football game. She hopes she can still say that Monday morning.

"The first time" the Giants and Patriots met for a Super Bowl, "a couple people from the other team got a little out of control," Lehman says. "I finally had to say, 'They're not cheering against you, they're just cheering for the Patriots.' "

The concept should sink in as soon as patrons enter the Cavalier, a watering hole shrine to the Patriots that shows nothing but Patriots games when Tom Brady and his boys are playing. In fact, when fans of opposing teams brave her bar, Lehman "kinda wonders" about their intentions.

Luckily, exchanges usually consist of friendly chiding. You never know, though, when it can turn into something more.

"They just take it so personally, especially men," she says. "And, especially on the Super Bowl."

According to local etiquette expert Elizabeth White, that's no reason for respectable fans to lose their cool. Nor is it an excuse to exclude fans of the "other" team from a Super Bowl party.

"It is most enjoyable when you have fans of both teams," she says. "Just remind them they are there to have fun and to respect each other's allegiance."

That's all it should take to tame guests who are foaming at the mouth for a win.

Daniel Tapia, a 22-year-old Starbucks barista and faithful Patriots fan, says Super Bowl etiquette is all about respecting boundaries.

"Some people take it pretty far," he says, "but I've just gotten in a few arguments here and there."

Most of them have been in good fun and while on the clock at Starbucks. His co-workers know Tapia's cellphone screen saver is a shot of Brady. They know he spends nights at home, watching old games and marveling over the bullet-speed arm of his favorite quarterback. So, they have fun with it.

Near the drive-thru window at his workplace, a Patriots sign hangs with a list of supporters (Tapia and one other barista) and a list of enemies (the rest of the staff).

A co-worker has concocted "the nastiest drink ever" for the losers of tonight's game to consume. For the losers Monday morning, good Super Bowl etiquette will come down to swallowing a lot of pride -- and a lot of nastiness.

As for Matt Donnelly, he's hosting a party of his own to celebrate the Giants making it to the biggest game of the season. Always conscious of etiquette, Patriots fans are indeed allowed. But, the proper host that he is, Donnelly wants to warn them of what could happen should his team suffer a loss.

"Oh, I'll burn my house to the ground so everyone forgets the Super Bowl," Donnelly says. "All (guests) will remember is that they escaped an inferno."

Contact feature writer Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0477.
Follow her on Twitter @startswithanx.