Sports

Georgia Tech Apologizes To Football Fans Ejected For Standing And Cheering

#Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Two Georgia Tech football fans were ejected for standing at a game.


Two Georgia Tech football fans were ejected from a game vs. Louisville on Saturday in Atlanta. Security received complaints about their behavior in the stands.

On Sunday, the Yellow Jackets reached out to apologize to the tossed fans while posting a statement about the exchange, which went viral online. Administration admitted fault in the handling of the situation.

It seems staff workers were too quick to eject the Georgia Tech fans. More information should’ve been gathered.

Georgia Tech football fans ejected for standing.

Video of the banishment was posted to social media over the weekend. Not much context is given in regard to the complaint or specific behavior. The man recording alleges that the fans were tossed simply for standing and cheering. A security officer seemingly confirmed that notion by saying, “They were asked to sit down.”

The fans were apparently alumnus of the university and season ticket holders.

“So just to be clear, these people are being ejected because they’re standing? They were asked to sit down, but they’re being ejected for standing at their seats. That’s what’s happening right now… That’s outrageous. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

I do always find it odd when others complain about fans standing at a football game. It should be expected, not frowned upon, especially when coaches continuously beg for attendees to create unwelcomed environments for rival visitors. I understand that not everyone can stay on their feet, especially when watching bad football, but it’s an implied risk of buying a ticket.

I do not know exactly when the fans were tossed. Georgia Tech ultimately lost the game, 44-17. They may have been the only fans in Bobby Dodd Stadium on their feet. Still, it seemed an overreaction.

I’m guessing someone’s view was blocked. The fans didn’t appear overly aggressive or out of control when making their exits. It was odd.

The fans eventually re-entered the venue and relocated to other seats. There were tons of empty bleachers with a reported attendance of around 44,000. It wasn’t hard to find another ticket.

They also demanded an apology from the athletic director. On Sunday, they got their wish.

Yellow Jackets post statement and apology.

“There will be a formal apology before you get another dime of my money,” one fan wrote in the aftermath of the ejection. He tagged athletic director Ryan Alpert in the message.

The school responded with a note on social media. After “gathering information to better understand the circumstances,” the athletic department “contacted the individuals who had been ejected to apologize for their experience.”

“Fan experience is a top priority for Georgia Tech athletics, and we regret that these fans had a negative experience as a result of a misapplication of our processes for addressing in-stadium complaints. We take these matters seriously and appreciate the passion and continued support of our fans.”

-GT Athletics

Georgia Tech is 2-7 this season and in the cellar of the ACC standings. They need all the support they can get. This was an awful look for a department that booted loyal fans of a bad football team.