NFL Cracks Down on Bags Inside Stadiums, Ladies Leave Your Purses at Home

Starting this season, you’re not going to be able to bring most bags inside NFL stadiums. The league is trying to “enhance public safety and make it easier for fans to gain access to all stadiums,” as stated in this press release announcing the move Thursday.

There are exceptions. While purses won’t be allowed inside the games, small clutch bags “the size of a hand” will be permitted. You can still carry your belongings inside in a plastic bag or ziplock freezer bag. Of course, NFL-brand team tote bags are certainly allowed.

Where does this leave fans with small children who need to bring items into the stadium such as diapers?

And it is really that big a deal for women to bring a purse inside a stadium? Is it slowing up security at the gate to check purses?

The NFL can – and does – what it wants, but making more and more restrictions to paying customers will only end up forcing more people to stay on their couch to watch the game in the comfort of their own home, forgoing parking lot traffic snarls, $10 beers and drunken louts.