[edited] 97.1 FM host tells Michigan fans to avoid “tinder box” Spartan Stadium unless they want to be attacked and “eat a battery”
“I’d like to offer a public service announce. I’m being real with you … people are nuts … friendly advice if you’re a Michigan fan … don’t be there. It’s going to be the most hostile environment in the history of the rivalry. It will be a tinder box. Don’t be there. I would never be at that game if I was a Michigan fan … just find something else to do … Spartan fans are going to be foaming … eff around and find out.”
[edit @ 11:30 am: I removed the Valenti link. Brian has made it clear (see the FAQ section) that Valenti links are disallowed. If you still feel the need to click on anything Valenti,
1) don't expect to find a link anywhere on MGoBlog; and
2) seek help.
-rob f]
I'm glad to know about this both as a fan and as someone who is considering attending this game, and I wouldn't have known if it wasn't posted here. Hope this wouldn't violate this site's rules since it's extreemly relevant. Thanks for posting
The least OP could have done is not include a link. It would have taken less effort and it would have been harder for folks to give this clown clicks.
I feel like this topic should be an exception. It's not the same old Michigan bashing we expect from him. This is basically calling for violence against our fan base.
He was clever enough to throw in a legally-advised "I don't condone it" disclaimer. So at least he's partly capable of listening to an attorney.
Sharp died like 8 years ago? Maybe we remove his name.
Maybe they mean the Breaking Bad character
(played by ...wait, Sam Webb?)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/characters/nm3476022
Maybe it’s social media ramping things up but the “tinder box” is nothing new.
I was at the “clock gate” game in 2001. I was sitting in THEE end zone. My dad, little brother, and I fully anticipated dodging insults and fistfights on the way back to the car. It was an intense walk for sure.
So go to the game and do it in large numbers. Eff em.
exactly - the answer is NOT "acquiesce to a potentially violent infantile crowd" but is to expect/demand better and not be deterred from showing up and rooting for your team. And when we win we don't have to be bad winners - just smile and wave as you walk to the car.
I was in Columbus in 2013, wearing bright yellow sitting with parents and recruits. Security escorted me out under the bleachers after the game. I thought it was probably overblown but since I was guest with recruits and was on the field, and since their own security felt the need to do so...I figured it must've been a legitimate concern.
Sure, the "tinder box" is not new, but it takes time to properly dry and season the couches.
I would normally be quick to diss anything Valenti says, but I'm with him on this one. I was there in 1997. At Munn, there was probably a group of at least 20 Spartan fans, of various ages, tossing random Michigan fans onto the ground while they were having beer thrown on them and spat on. And that was for a noon kick.
Add 7+ hours to get liquored up, plus the whole tunnel situation, and I would at least advise sitting in the Michigan section if going to the game.
I honestly don't think he's saying that from a point of pride in his alma mater, but as a guy who knows his brothers too well.
I was st the 1997 game in the student section, “the catch” was right in front of us.
I was a recent UM grad and a loudmouth. I had no issues at all outside of some well deserved banter from the Sparties. I would choose East Lansing over Columbus 10 out of 10 times.
that being said, the radio station management should really be telling him to tamp things down, not rile them up further. This is my real life - it’s a game for the enjoyment of the players, coaches and fans. It is insane to me that sports can drive people to violence.
For many, more like 12+ hours of boozing. Plus now they’ll be boozing in the stadium?
I can't fathom drinking for 12 hours. At last year's game we started our tailgate around 3:30 and even that I thought was a lot of time.
Don't worry, you will get there. Practice, Practice, Practice!
rookie!
I went to East Lansing on a random Friday afternoon in August about 9 years ago. Wasn't a planned trip and I just happened to have my UM t-shirt on. I got spit on along with being verbally harassed just walking around. That place is a cesspool and the B1G and both schools should have put their foot down that this game can't be played at night there. Someone is going to get hurt, no doubt about it.
That was my senior year. A bunch of us drove up and watched the game at some house on M.A.C. street in the student ghetto. Every student that lived there went to the game, we took over their house.
After we won we decided to blast The Victors on their stereo, setting the speakers facing out their windows. Of course the MSU students that walked by all yelled shit. We locked all the doors
When the guys that lived there got home and couldn't get in they actually kicked their own door down. It was fun.
Last time I was in EL for a game guys were throwing full beer cans from their porches at anyone wearing Michigan colors. I expected there to be at least some violence there this year long before reading this post. How could you not?
That's very hospitable of them. Never would expect them to be providing beers for visitors!
The rivalry is already way too heated, and now some radio blowhard is stirring the pot? Just let the fans enjoy the game while the players settle it on the field.
I have several MSU friends and wish I could go to the game with them. Most Sparty fans are not the assholes we hear about. IMO the worst segments of MSU's (and every) fanbase get too much attention.
"Most Sparty fans are not the [...] we hear about."
You are correct - they are usually *other* ones we do not hear of.
If that were true, how come Valenti has a platform? Someone is forming the audience to make it viable for this asshole to have a platform.
My guess is that most people are tuning in to Detroit sports radio, not necessarily only for Valenti. 🤷♂️
For sure MSU fans be prone to play the victim card and be a bit insecure. In my experience, though, most are generally fine.
I normally love listening to sports talk radio. I even did in when I lived in Philly, with all the blowhard radio hosts there. But I can't listen to 97.1 here, it's so inane and just negative on local fans - don't get why they can't just talk about the teams or games more, half the discussion is about fan bases
all that does is inspire stupidity. I'll say it again. When I was at UM, I was always annoyed at how jovial and mixed the crowds were at the big house. It was a fun time for locals (not me) to see friends and family etc... I didn't even care about MSU. In fact, I kinda rooted for them in basketball after we cratered a little....
It has completely flipped and stupid comments like this jackass is making are adding fuel to the fire.
A human being would say... hey, even though its at night, lets figure out how to keep the fire in the rivalry without the extra stuff. Being mean or violent to UM fans (or vice versa) has nothing to do with the University or the football programs. You're just being a punk. The AD isn't going to come shake your hand for being an a-hole. Grow up.
But that doesn't move the needle.
Unfortunately humanity no longer sells. It's a biggest asshole contest, and everyone loses.
I was thinking of going for the first time to MSU stadium for this game. Will probably go with some MSU fan friends to be safe
What a dick hole. What’s the upside of playing these pig people again?
Spoken like a lot of the Spartan fan base. Guys with big trucks but wear small gloves.
It's Moo U after all, so can we can say 'Big Hats and no cattle'?
They hang everything on this one game with Michigan. This is what defines their success, similar to us playing Ohio State...
So yes, they will be foaming at the mouth.
My advice to Sparty fans:
Don't be there, unless you want to see your team get embarrassed. As you head for the exits in the 3rd quarter you will watch multiple ejections as your child like players throw temper tantrums and commit personal fouls because they quit after they went down 5 TDs, and it's all they have. You'll spend the time walking to your car thinking about how much money you still owe Mel.
If Michigan is 7-0 going into that game and the Spartans are 6-0, the focus and atmosphere will be quite intense. Let’s see what the records are that week. And, just how full the stands are in the second half.
They’ll be lucky to be 3-3 with losses to Washington, Maryland, and Iowa
Spoiler alert: they won't be 6-0.
I'm betting Washington kicks their ass
6-0?
Thanks for the good laugh.... Sparty being 6-0... LMAO... You realize their O/U for wins this year is 5.5? And most people are taking the under...
Still gave you an up vote. I suspect that you just forgot to add the /s after their record...
enjoy bolivia.
I would actually love a high resolution photo of Sparty brand ambassador throwing a AA battery. Even better if they have obvious health issues, a bad haircut and a mustard stain on their jacket. If you go, be sure to document them so we can get close look.
everyone knows sparty uses ketchup on a hot dog. Heathens!
sounds like this guy is trying to incite a riot....
he should be removed from the airwaves and sent to bolivia, siberia, or confined to EL...
once again I will advocate that all Michigan fans should not listen to any 971 broadcasts until they get rid of Valenti, Rico, and Gator. I stopped listening to Valenti once Terry Foster left in 2016. After the way those 3 responded to the tunnel assaults I think everyone should boycott 971 all together.
He's just trying to prevent Michigan fans from taking over that stadium. They will likely have 3 losses going into that game and will be unloading their season tickets. The Athletic's model has them finishing 4-8, with at 16% of being bowl elgibile.
Gator is pretty harmless.
I used to think that too, but he low key gets a lot of his talking points from RCMB.
Like I said, after the tunnel assault, he was pretty much just talking about the Kenneth Walker leg twist stuff. As well as Mazi's gun charge.
Gator said yesterday that the tunnel fight was Gemon Green's fault for being in the tunnel and that Harbaugh and the AD railroaded the Spartans. He placed no blame on MSU or their players as UM players should have stayed on the field. Gator is a hack, he clearly didn't know why Green was in the tunnel.
Let’s all go!!
The one time I went to Spartan Stadium, it looked like most of their fans spent half the time with their backs turned to the game, chatting with their friends while their team got absolutely drubbed. I don't think you have much to fear from them.
The bigger threat is the lack of public restrooms en route to the stadium and the police lying in wait to catch a public pisser.
Won't someone think of the couches!?!?!