What should have been an exciting victory for the Atlanta Falcons over their NFC South rivals, the New Orleans Saints, turned ugly when a violent brawl broke out in the stands of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In yet another example of the alarming rise in fan violence, disturbing footage has surfaced showing a brutal assault that took place during Sunday’s 26-24 game.

The shocking video, which has been making the rounds on social media, captures a man in a white Falcons jersey viciously kicking and stomping on the head of another man, who appears to be wearing a red shirt and tan pants. It’s unclear exactly when the incident occurred, but it was reportedly filmed in or near Section 321 of the stadium.

As the video unfolds, a female fan desperately tries to pull the attacker away, but her efforts are in vain as the man continues his assault, stomping on the head of the victim twice more before momentarily being restrained. The clip, which lasts only a few seconds, ends with two other men engaging in a separate fight before cutting off.

A second video appears to pick up where the first one left off, showing another scuffle nearby. This time, a man in a black shirt and jeans pins someone in a white shirt to the ground, while yet another fan, dressed in a red Falcons jersey, attempts to break up the brawl. In the background, the original attacker in the white Falcons jersey can be seen trying to take another swing at his downed opponent before a second woman intervenes to stop him from continuing the violent assault.

This ugly scene is unfortunately becoming all too common in the NFL. Over the past few years, fan fights have seemingly escalated, turning once-family-friendly games into dangerous battlegrounds. Just earlier this month, a bloody brawl erupted outside a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers, adding to the growing list of violent incidents marring NFL venues across the country.

The question that remains is: why are we seeing this surge in fan violence? Some blame it on alcohol-fueled aggression, while others point to a broader cultural shift where respect and civility seem to be eroding. Whatever the reason, these incidents are more than just isolated fights; they are symptomatic of a deeper problem plaguing today’s sports culture.

NFL stadiums should be a place where fans come together to enjoy the game, cheer on their teams, and experience the camaraderie of fellow supporters. Instead, we are increasingly witnessing dangerous brawls that threaten the safety of everyone in attendance. Families are being forced to think twice about bringing their children to games, fearful of exposing them to the kind of violence that has sadly become all too common.

As the NFL works to address this growing issue, it’s clear that more needs to be done. Security measures must be tightened, and a zero-tolerance policy for violent behavior should be strictly enforced. While the league has made some attempts to curb fan violence, it’s time to take a harder stance. The integrity of the game, and the safety of fans, is at stake.

This disturbing trend of violence in the stands is not just an issue for the NFL—it’s a reflection of a broader cultural problem. Until society as a whole starts to take personal responsibility for our actions and restore a sense of decency and respect, incidents like the one at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will sadly continue to plague America’s favorite sport.