As the NFL season kicks off, fans across the league are not only excited for the return of stars like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Tyreek Hill, but also eager to take their place in the stands. However, not all fanbases have earned glowing reputations, as a recent survey has ranked the “rudest” NFL fanbases heading into the new season.
The study, conducted by AGamble.com and based on feedback from 1,200 fans, revealed that the Philadelphia Eagles’ fanbase topped the list as the rudest in the league. Known for their passionate—and at times aggressive—behavior, Eagles fans were singled out for their tendency to start fights at games. The team’s coach, Nick Sirianni, also earned a spot as the third-rudest coach in the NFL, adding to the less-than-flattering reputation of the franchise.
Close behind the Eagles were the Dallas Cowboys, whose fanbase was criticized for excessive bragging. Cowboys fans, never shy about their team’s history or expectations, are often vocal in their support. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was named the third-rudest quarterback in the NFL, behind only Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, who took first and second, respectively.
Rounding out the top three rudest fanbases were the Las Vegas Raiders, whose fans were notorious for excessive drinking. Raiders fans have long been known for their rowdy behavior, particularly in their infamous “Black Hole” section during games.
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The survey also highlighted other rude fan behaviors. Pittsburgh Steelers fans were ranked fifth for their frequent use of profanity, while Seattle Seahawks fans (ranked 20th) were called out for mocking other fans. Los Angeles Rams fans (23rd) were identified as notorious social media trolls, and Denver Broncos fans (25th) were singled out for making inappropriate gestures during games.
Interestingly, excessive drinking was identified as the rudest behavior among fans from 13 different NFL franchises, including the Kansas City Chiefs, whose fanbase ranked ninth overall. Chiefs fans, despite their team’s success, were labeled for their heavy alcohol consumption during games.
The survey also asked participants to weigh in on the rudest fan behaviors in general. The most common complaint? Fans blocking someone’s view by standing up, with 59 percent of respondents naming it their top pet peeve. Other frequent annoyances included spilling drinks (51 percent), cutting in line (48 percent), using profanity (45 percent), and blocking the aisle (44 percent).
Additional behaviors that irked fans included heckling (42 percent), crying children (36 percent), sitting in someone else’s seat (34 percent), constantly getting up from one’s seat (26 percent), and talking on the phone during the game (24 percent).
In a different category, the survey named Cowboys fans as having the “thinnest skin,” meaning they were considered the most sensitive to criticism. They were followed closely by Patriots, Chiefs, Eagles, and Bears fans.
When it came to NFL coaches, the Broncos’ Sean Payton was voted the rudest in the league, followed by Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh at No. 2. Nick Sirianni (Eagles), John Harbaugh (Ravens), and Mike McCarthy (Cowboys) rounded out the top five rudest coaches.
On the quarterback front, while Rodgers and Watson took the top two spots, Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson were named the fourth- and fifth-rudest, respectively.
AGamble.com acknowledged that the results were based on self-reported data, which may be influenced by recall or social desirability biases. The survey participants were spread across the United States, with 57 percent identifying as male, 42 percent as female, and 1 percent as non-binary or non-conforming. The average age of respondents was 42 years old.
As the new NFL season gets underway, fans will be keeping an eye not only on their teams’ performance but also on the behavior of those around them, both in the stands and online.
