Arizona Cardinals Fan Forced to Remove MAGA Hat Upon Entry; Team Addresses Massive Backlash

The Arizona Cardinals were taking on the Los Angeles Rams for their home opener in the second week of the 2024 season.

The vast majority of Cardinals fans left the stadium happy following a stellar performance from quarterback Kyler Murray and high first-round wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Despite the big win, some fans left upset due to how they were treated by stadium security.

The Arizona Cardinals made a woman remove her MAGA hat before entering

According to a report from an Arizona sports content creator known as “MrAzSports” on X/Twitter, a woman was told to remove her MAGA hat upon entry by State Farm Stadium security. MAGA is an acronym for “Make America Great Again,” the slogan adopted by former president Donald Trump.

Trump is once again using the MAGA slogan as he attempts to make his way into the white house for a second time. The Cardinals fan was wearing a hat with the slogan, but would not be allowed entry without removing the hat.

Cardinals Fan Forced to discard MAGA Hat to Enter Game: Interview with Susan.

Susan attended the Cardinals game with her husband on Sunday. As she approached security, she heard someone yell, “You cannot bring that hat in.” Initially, Susan and her husband thought the security…

— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) September 17, 2024

I had a chance to interview the fan to tell her story before it goes on the news tonight.

I am sorry you did not enjoy this post.

— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) September 17, 2024

I have been told from another fan, that they witnessed second situation where security told a male guest he was not allowed to enter with a MAGA hat.

That is now 2 incidents where a fan was not allowed to enter the game with a MAGA hat.

— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) September 16, 2024

Update: Cardinals have issued a statement to 12 news.
“A stadium security miss understood the policy on prohibited items. There policy applies to signage, posters, flags or displays that a political in nature. The Cardinals are working to reach out to Susan to apologize.”

— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) September 18, 2024

The Cardinals issued a statement explaining that the stadium security was at fault. There is a policy that prohibits political signs, posters and flags but not apparel. The stadium security thought apparel fell into the list of banned political items.

The idea behind banning political items is to prevent confrontation among fans in such a high-emotion environment. Fights around big sporting events are not all that uncommon and it makes sense to take steps to try to minimize those fights in an effort to increase the safety of fans.

The Cardinals do not seem to be making a political statement by forcing the woman to take her hat off, rather they are trying to ensure the safety of their fans.

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