Unruly Austin football fans lead to extra security

DECATUR, AL (WAFF) - A Decatur area high school is sending extra security with the football team Friday night - not because of the other team's fans, but rather a small group of their own followers.

Austin High School plays at Huntsville High Friday night. This season has been tough so far for the team. They have lost several close games. School officials said a few Austin fans have gotten out of line this year, heckling the players and coaches, and they want it to stop.

"A few folks - not many, just a couple - seemed to have gotten outside what we would consider good sportsmanship in the crowd," said Decatur City Schools Superintendent Ed Nichols.

Nichols said Austin's principal decided to hire the officers following a couple of road games in which a few fans yelled derogatory comments aimed at coaches and players.

"If we're on the visiting side and we need somebody's assistance that's a local officer that has those opportunities and rights to remove somebody, now we have an equal to them from our city that can communicate that with them."

We asked some football fans what they thought about people who take shots at football players.

"They put their heart and soul into that," said Keith Carney. "They're working every day trying to be competitive. Then for somebody to be out there, maybe using profanity and being real critical like that, it's just not right."

"I don't think it's right," agreed Wanda Spies. "They're high school students. They should play to the best of their ability, and I think they are. I think when people do that it makes the community look worse."

Austin has hired off duty officers to accompany the team before, but those times were because of long road trips, not fan behavior.

Fans who go over the line can be ejected from a stadium and can be banned from future games.

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