SAN ANTONIO – Visitors to San Antonio or newcomers to the city may have been wondering what was happening if they saw and heard hundreds of vehicles pack East Commerce, driving along and honking Sunday night.
Two words: Spurs won!
The honking is a San Antonio tradition born in the early 2000s, around the time the San Antonio Spurs won their second NBA National Championship title. This jubilant expression of support has become synonymous with Spurs victories, fostering a sense of community among fans.
Fans bursting with excitement converged downtown and on the South Side, filling the atmosphere with honking and cheering while waving Spurs flags and flashing Silver and Black and Spurs Fiesta colors. This vibrant display of team spirit is a testament to the deep-rooted connection between the Spurs and the San Antonio community.
On Sunday night, the tradition was on full display after the Spurs won their first playoff game since 2019, rekindling the hope and enthusiasm of fans who have long awaited a playoff victory.
In anticipation of the celebrations, the San Antonio Police Department strategically placed officers along East Commerce to ensure public safety amidst the festivities.
“We just wanted to make sure everybody’s safe,” SAPD Public Information Officer Sharavious Jackson explained. “You know, we have our traffic unit on the roadways, the highways, just want to make sure everyone is safe and everyone is adhering to the traffic laws.”
Since it has been a while since the Spurs won a playoff game, Jackson offered a few reminders for those eager to join in on the celebratory honking tradition. One essential reminder is that everyone inside a vehicle must be buckled up.
“Everybody, the adults too, and also don’t drink and drive, no road raging,” he added, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior. In addition, he stressed that participants need to keep in mind there are a lot of children in the mix.
“There’s kids, they’re celebrating as well,” he said. “So you want to make sure you’re paying attention to them.”
Game 2 of the playoffs is on Tuesday, coinciding with the start of Fiesta’s Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), an event that promises to bring even more visitors to the downtown area.
The department is expecting a large turnout downtown for both the game and Fiesta celebrations. Jackson mentioned that pedestrians and motorists can look to officers for assistance during this bustling time.
“If you need help, ask the officer. You need directions, ask an officer. If you see something unusual, ask an officer,” Jackson advised, highlighting the role of the police in maintaining public safety.
He also recommended pedestrians take advantage of the sidewalks and avoid walking in the streets, especially during large events.
With many fans and Fiesta-goers expected to converge downtown on Tuesday night, Jackson suggested picking an off-peak leave time to avoid the worst of the crowds and traffic.
“Also, we want to tell people, leave in enough time (and) have patience,” he said, underlining the importance of planning ahead.
Just in case some do not follow the celebration game plan, Jackson said SAPD has a strategy to keep things from getting out of hand. “We are in a position to respond, to show up, to help people make sure they’re safe and sound,” he reassured the public.
His biggest piece of advice for all of San Antonio is simple: “Celebrate, just have a good time, do everything decent and in order.”
