Are Seattle sports fans becoming more aggressive?

The barometer for hate between the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies seems to be reaching an all-time high.

As one Seattlite pointed out in a column for The Seattle Times, the hostility has reached a point where even former Ducks who were raised in the Greater Seattle area are not safe from scrutiny and harassment. Within a week of moving back to the area, the former Duck wrote, the tires on his his car were slashed.

Though KIRO Radio’s Tom Tangney hasn’t observed any of the harassment that goes on between the two teams during games, traffic reporter Chris Sullivan, a proud Oregon fan, said he’s seen plenty. The nastiness happens in the parking lots, stands and even the bathrooms, Sullivan explained. It’s why he didn’t bring his son to the last Oregon/Washington match up.

KIRO Radio’s John Curley believes the aggressive behavior all stems from social media.

“No,” Sullivan responded. “The 80-year-old man that wanted to fight me, I’m pretty sure wasn’t on Twitter.”

Sullivan said 10-12 percent of fans tend to be out of line during a Washington vs. Oregon game. He hasn’t received nearly as much ribbing with other college team gear on.

But is it just college fans that can be too boisterous? Maybe not.

A recent poll by Playbuzz has ranked Seahawks fans as the most annoying in the NFL. The 12s received about 8,100 votes as the most annoying; topping the New England Patriots (7,900). That’s why Sullivan warned against anyone dressing in a 49ers jersey at a Hawks game.

“Games everywhere have gotten this way,” he added. “A lack of respect and civility.”