A summer tradition is no more. The annual preseason exhibition game between the NFL's San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders was discontinued following the violence that marred Saturday night's matchup between the two teams. Two fans were shot outside San Francisco's Candlestick Park after the 49ers' 17-3 victory, and another fan was beaten unconscious in a restroom during the game. The 49ers announced that it will no longer participate in the annual exhibition, and an NFL official confirms that the cross-bay rivalry has likely come to an end. Is this the right move?
Yes. The game is too risky: This is a "logical, if unfortunate response to the violence," says Mike Sando at ESPN. The annual game brings together passionate, combative fans — "with alcohol readily available." There is really "no compelling reason to recreate circumstances that precipitated widespread, potentially deadly violence." It's not a worthwile risk for preseason games that don't even count in the standings.
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