Players on the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ners aren’t the only ones gearing up for the big game this Sunday. Super Bowl fans across the country are locking down their TV’s, sofa chairs, and smartphones in case anything goes awry. We’ve all heard horror stories of frustrated coaches throwing chairs at players, like the infamous Bobby Knight, or crazed fans breaking windows or their brand- new flat screen TV due to a triple overtime loss, but are smartphones becoming the latest victims of frustrated super fans?

New research from SquareTrade revealed that 23 million Americans have caused damage to their cell phone or tablet while watching their favorite sporting event. More specifically with the big game just days away, SquareTrade took a closer look into Raven and 49ners fans. According to the study, Raven fans are more at risk, being 14 percent clumsier compared to 49ners fans. You can call it a coincidence or just bad luck, but in the past 12 months, 27 percent of Raven fans have damaged their cell phones, while 23 percent of 49ners fans experienced cell phone damage.

So what gives? Are football fans just meat heads that can’t control their emotions? Well, that’s a matter of opinion, but according to SquareTade, the “top five sporting spectator gadget accidents” are; the standard drop, where a users simply drops their cell phone, the liquid drop, where a user finds their cell phone swimming in the toilet, the beer drop, where a user gets little too tipsy, the passion drop, when a user throws their cell phone out of joy or anger, and the bar drop, when a user drops their cell phone in the midst of a crowded bar. 

"Given the tweeting, texting and photographing in arenas, stadiums, living rooms and local sports bars across the nation, we weren't surprised to learn that one in ten Americans has damaged their phone during a game," commented Ty Shay, SquareTrade's Chief Marketing Officer. "But the prevalence of Passion and Beer Drops caught us by surprise, and speaks volumes about the passion Americans have for football and other sports.”

A good defense is always a good offense. SquareTrade offers up some safety tips to keep your cell phone safe this Super Bowl Sunday. Keep your hands to yourself or in a bag of chips! Leave your cell phone at a safe distance, so you won’t be tempted to use it as a weapon against the opposing team or your annoying friend. Go to the bathroom alone; don’t bring your cell phone, it only increases the chances of it taking a nice dip in the toilet. Give it some padding; get a heavy-duty phone case to protect your precise hardware from your evil outbursts.

This Super Bowl, occupy your hands with some delicious snacks and try taking a yoga class before the big game. And remember it’s just a game…