Section HH row 2, we was told to stay seated by 75 year olds behind us(who left in the 3rd quarter), in which the usher agreed with them and told us to sit down.
Me and my wife told them that we paid 150 for our seats and we would stand up when we felt necessary.
My wife 26 years old was told by a 75 year old man to sit down and shut up at this point I had to take up for my wife and said "Sir, would you like for me to talk to your wife like that?" his wife was beside him telling us to sit down as well and all he could do was stare at me..
I tried not to be disrespectful but isn't it my right to stand up and cheer for the Vols?
Those people are my parents.
Yes, it is your right to cheer for your Vols, as loudly and rapturously as you like. But...
No, it is not your "right" to stand or engage in other activities that impinges on the ability of others to enjoy the game.
A little backstory. My father, 80 this month, has just recently undergone heart surgery, has gout in both legs, yet managed the almost 30-minute walk from the hotel, up the numerous ramps, to sit in HH. My mother, 76, has survived brain aneurysm surgery, multiple leg fractures, and being married to my father. The trek up to Section HH is arduous for them both, but their love of the Vols compels them to repeat this exercise for every home game.
My parents bought their seats in HH in 1976. They have had numerous opportunities and offers for different seats but have stayed loyal to those seats for reasons that are too numerous to elucidate here. Suffice it to say, there are both practical and immensely sentimental concerns involved.
Quick math will show that they have been in those seats for almost 40 years, and they have been going to games in Neyland for almost 60.
The entire section around them has been virtually the same people for many of those years. So, just to be clear, your behavior and activities didn't just affect my parents, but dozens of season ticket holders in the section.
My parents (and other elderly in the section) cannot stand the whole game, or on every other play, or whenever
you deem appropriate. From multiple accounts, you and your wife were, at best, tone-deaf to the situation and climate of what was appropriate, and, at worst, downright disrespectful. My parents left in the 3rd quarter because of your actions.
The attitude of "I paid my money - I can do what I want" is falsely entitled and dangerous. In this particular instance, you and your wife were in the wrong. There is a reason the usher sided with my parents (and the rest of the section). My mom hated that you banged your metal seat throughout the first half but understands that is part and parcel of the game atmosphere. What everyone in the section took exception to was your defiance and intentional blocking of the view of other spectators in the section - spectators who would love the ability to stand and jump but can't because of age and genetics.
And just a technical note, you were in the second row of the upper deck. There is no practical reason for you to stand. There was literally no one blocking you.
All of the above is truth. It may not have been what you wanted or expected but sometimes we must temper those feelings and take into account the well-being of others.
