A new day for the Steelers has arrived with buzz and excitement and a fresh carpet of grass. But there is an added wrinkle on this secular feast day -- an NFL-mandated code of conduct for fans aimed at curbing unruly behavior, especially for those who get too buzzed, outside and inside the stadium.

Among other things, the policy bans drunkenness, behavior that is disruptive or illegal, harassment of fans from the visiting team and foul or abusive language and gestures.

While the unspoken implication is that the T-shirts referring to Cleveland may no longer be appropriate, the NFL and its 32 teams are being seriously sober on the matter. Failure to comply can result in ejections from stadium property and the forfeiture of season tickets. Season ticket holders are still accountable if a guest or anyone sitting in their seats is guilty of misbehaving.

"We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can -- from the time they arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium," said Brian McCarthy, the NFL's director of corporate communications. "Simply put, we want to insure that all fans can come to the stadium and have an enjoyable day."

The Steelers have a notoriously loyal fan base that includes, say, a billionaire who has been known to paint his face black and gold and a 90-year-old tailgater who just got her first tattoo, in the form of the team logo. They rally around the banner that says "You're In Steelers Country," and they aren't shy about enjoying a beer or two and screaming at the top of their lungs to make Heinz Field an intimidating place for opponents. The overwhelming majority don't cross the line and won't be affected by the new policy, according to league officials and local law enforcement.

The code of conduct is aimed at those who go beyond responsible fanaticism, for lack of a better term. But what's unruly and abusive is often a judgment call.

"There are some gray areas," said Lou Marciani, director of the Center for Spectator Sports Security Management at the University of Southern Mississippi. "Whenever you try to change behavior, it takes a while to get the bugs out. I commend the NFL for worrying about its spectators. Fans have every right to support their team, but they have to respect each other."

When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the policy in early August, enforcement was placed in the hands of the teams. The Steelers have been held up as an example to other franchises for the way they have aggressively addressed the issue. They have mailed out the word to their ticket buyers and placed signs around the stadium. Their approach is an acronym called PRIDE -- positive experience, respect, integrity, dignified behavior and excellence on and off the field.

Security will be vigilant in banning intoxicated fans from entering the stadium and keeping an eye out for those who are visibly besotted. The Steelers have also made it convenient for fans to report bad behavior. On game days, fans can call a hotline at 412-697-7766 or text message PITT33 to 78247.

"We are empowering our fans. By using their cell phones, they don't have to confront anyone or miss any of the game action," said Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett. "What we're trying to do is have everybody work together so that every fan attending a game can have a good time. It doesn't change much for those who conduct themselves responsibly. This is being done for the benefit of the fans."

A casual search of message boards, however, finds some critics who refer to the NFL, the richest and most popular pro sports endeavor, as the No Fun League. More than a few point out that if the NFL were really serious about curbing drunkenness, it would ban sales of beer in stadiums or reject beer ads on its broadcasts. It is also noted that a league known for fining its players for not wearing socks uniformly has its share of players who run afoul of the law.

League officials say the code of conduct came into being because fans lodged complaints about boorish behavior in parking lots and in the seating areas. But a couple of well publicized incidents at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands also prompted some action. One included a multimillion dollar penalty, still under appeal, after an inebriated Giants fan was involved in a traffic accident that paralyzed a little girl. The other involved beery Jets fans gathering at halftime to taunt women into exposing their breasts, a practice that was addressed by extra security.

All teams, including the Steelers, have unruly and obnoxious spectators who can get out of control, whether it's in The Black Hole of Oakland or the Dawg Pound of Cleveland. When the Philadelphia Eagles played at Veterans Stadium, a municipal court was set up on site, mostly for disorderly conduct and public urination, following a Monday night game in which 60 or so fistfights broke out in the stands.

But there is some perspective.

Numbers on how many fans have been stripped of their tickets is unavailable, and a call to Jimmy Sacco, executive director of stadium management at Heinz Field, was returned by the team's public relations office. But Mr. Sacco was quoted this year in the Sports Business Journal as saying: "We've probably got a dozen cases right now involving some prominent people in the community that have lost their seats because of who they handed their tickets to."

Similarly, no numbers on arrests and citations issued last season were provided. But Pittsburgh Police Sgt. John Fisher said that there were "maybe a half dozen" arrests all last season, and 12 or so citations or summary offenses for disorderly conduct or public intoxication for the season.

As many as 20 to 24 people have been ejected during a single game.

"That's the most common action. We ask people to leave," Sgt. Fisher said. At the final exhibition game, two spectators were ejected without receiving refunds.

In addition to Landmark Security guards who are hired by the Steelers, the city provides three dozen off-duty officers in uniform plus two supervisors to augment security, and they are posted throughout the stadium on game days.

Heinz Field has security cameras that can zoom in on any seating section. The cameras also scan areas outside the stadium, which can provide detailed information or descriptions of miscreants.

"Say there's a disorderly fan in Section 512. We can zoom in and see who's doing what, and we can get there right away," Sgt. Fisher said. "The Steelers are serious about doing everything they can to make a fan-friendly environment. One of the big things is keeping intoxicated fans from coming in. A lot of problems occur pre-game. Beers inside aren't cheap. Nobody's getting annihilated on stadium beer."

Before the code of conduct was implemented, a two-day training session was held in July in Dallas for all 32 franchises. Expectations were outlined to get all the teams on the same page, and one of the speakers was an expert from England on soccer hooliganism.

For those who shell out $85 for a ticket and pay $20 or so to park, the code of conduct is really a matter of common sense.

"I'm big on people policing themselves. I don't think that Roger Goodell or anyone on Park Avenue can dictate behavior," said Bob Reich Jr. of Mt. Lebanon, a season ticket holder. "Alcohol is a big part of it, but there's the hypocrisy -- if they don't want people drinking too much, don't sell beer."

Tailgating is a treasured ritual for M.J. Burger; her party has a spot just across the street from the Great Hall. The gathering includes a nephew who is 3, a tattooed aunt who is 90 and a good friend known by the name of Steeler Connie.

"The Steelers are like my family, and I wouldn't do anything to embarrass my family," Mrs. Burger said. "We protect each other and speak up if we see anyone getting out of hand. It makes me sick when people say that tailgaters are all a bunch of drunks because a few bad apples get all the attention. We have fun, we drink and we party, but we don't get out of hand."