HARRISBURG -- Brian Fischer just wants to take his 4-year-old grandson to a football game.

"I come from a family that loves football," he said yesterday. "Can you imagine the pleasure of taking my grandson to a game? My daughter-in-law doesn't want me to take him there because of the horrible language and people spilling beer everywhere."

That's why Mr. Fischer launched Tailgaters Urging Responsibility and Fun, a public-awareness campaign that began in Maryland and debuted yesterday in Pennsylvania, the second state in the program.

Former Washington Redskins quarterback and Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann is the face of the program, which centers around public service announcements on Web sites, sports radio broadcasts and stadium scoreboards in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

The announcements aim to curb offensive language, drunken driving and underage drinking. Before's Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium closed in 2003, officials set up a jail cell and had a district judge on duty to process charges against the most unruly fans.

"Tailgating is a huge part of the football season ... and some of the tailgaters have become disruptive and unruly," said Patrick J. Stapleton III, chairman of the state Liquor Control Board, which is distributing information about the program. "We need to change the culture related to tailgating so everyone can enjoy these games."

No tax dollars are being used for the program, which is funded by alcohol industry companies, including Brown-Forman distillery in Kentucky; the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America; and the Charmer Sunbelt Group, a Maryland distributor where Mr. Fischer is vice president of global corporate affairs. Other partners include the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Philadelphia Eagles, Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh.

"Tailgating is a traditional party of football Saturdays across the country," said Pitt Athletic Director Steve Pederson. "We want to encourage enjoyable yet safe tailgating at Heinz Field, ensuring a great Pitt football experience from start to finish for everyone."

Organizers want to help fans make responsible decisions. They should designate a driver, respect other fans, have enough food to absorb alcohol, curb offensive language and notify stadium security of problems.

That's all common sense, organizers acknowledge, but sometimes people need to be reminded.

"If you just let something go and don't talk about it, it gets out of hand. We're trying to bring this to the forefront," said Rick Giugliano, marketing coordinator for the Steelers, who attended a news conference at the Capitol yesterday.

Organizers know the message won't eliminate offensive behavior but hopes it can diminish it.

"The more we make people aware it's a problem, the more they will take responsibility," Mr. Theismann said in an interview after the news conference. "It has to start somewhere, and we're starting here in Pennsylvania today. The more people are aware, the more they have an opportunity to take action."

Mr. Fischer is just hoping he will be able to take Jacob to his first Terrapins game and not "be exposed to the kind of language and outrageous antics that come with folks that disregard and disrespect other fans," he said. "I think everybody has had enough of that."

He's trying to change the environment so Jacob and other young children can enjoy games they way he did.

"Fans have changed," he said. "It used to be that you'd go to a game and not have a voice left at the end of the day, but it was good clean fun."

Organizers are targeting football tailgating but hope to soon expand the program to include other sports and other states.

Mr. Theismann's public service announcement can be viewed online at www.live.psu.edu.