All I needed to learn, I learned in a Brazilian soccer match

Yesterday I went to my first soccer match ever (Edwin has been to a few already. Sao Paulo vs. Santos, a neighboring city. I suffered a sort-of sporting culture-shock.

I'll try to explain, in a Yankees/Red Sox game, die-hard fans sit next to each other in the stadium, exchange curse words, bad looks, a flying left hook might even hit you in some random drunken rage from Budweiser served in a plastic cup. At least you are aware of what you're signing up for because these two teams are fierce rivals.

Here I learned, fans of the opposing team (in this case, Santos) have their own entrance, a specific section. In the street these sections are protected by the SWAT team and a helicopter overlooking the flow of the masses. Once you are in this so-called "enemy territory" it's divided up by fences and more surrounding SWAT officers. After the game, the visiting team fans (the enemy) are not allowed to leave until the home team fans exit the stadium. Please notice the SWAT team on the right side of the picture below.

I learned alcohol is without a doubt prohibited.

I learned they have HILARIOUS team mascots.

I learned that "referee" has got TO BE the worst job to have in Brazil, I'm not even sure that the President has received so many death threats. You see, referees are escorted out of the field by police officers during half-time.

I learned, (and this is mostly for the female audience)... GROWN MEN DO CRY. Grown men with children sitting next to them. I saw it with my very own eyes. I saw men cry in each GOOOOOOLLL! They laughed, hugged and jumped in excitement like girls do when they finally pick that perfect wedding dress. 

I learned futebol is a religion with rituals, they strip their shirts and wave them in the air like they just don't care, but they do. They care so much they kneel and pray to God for miracles (a goal), and God bless some of them for taking off their shirts.

I learned that when a player does something stupid they will argue with each other like if their wife just cheated on them... with the referee.

Most importantly I learned a vast array of curse words in Portuguese.

and to my COMPLETE surprise, I learned that these two teams are not EVEN RIVALS.

Sao Paulo lost. 3-2.