A Detroit Lions fan who posted a racist comment on Snapchat that got widely circulated was banned from Ford Field, the Lions home stadium. Besides the surprising fact that saying something racist could get you banned from a place named after notorious bigot Henry Ford, the outcome is encouraging to fans and players. The Lions don’t comment on “guest incidents” as a matter of policy. But the team did report that the fan was banned. The Lions explained that “providing our fans with a safe and enjoyable experience at all Ford Field events is of the utmost importance and an absolute priority for our organization.”
The so-called fan was enraged by the refusal of two Lions players to stand for the national anthem. He posted a photo of the small protest with a comment that used the N-word. Lions coach Jim Caldwell, who is African American, said according to ESPN: “I think it was handled appropriately and I think those things happen sometimes.” Unfortunately, he’s right and it seems like he’ll remain right for the foreseeable future. The immediate goal of organizations like the Lions, and part of the reason for the ban, is to turn Caldwell’s “sometimes” into “every once in a blue moon.” And then someday into “never.”
