My situation was different for sure, and at UofA in 2006, but I found myself surrounded by a group of 10-15 college age drunk bear downers in red t-shirts while taking my daughter and cousin to the bathroom.
We were being screamed at, threatened, mormon slurs, and one dude was screaming at me just inches from my face, all while the girls were crying hysterically as they were about 6 years old.
I had been holding the girls hands, so I pulled them close behind me, and had my arms behind me pushing them against my back, exposing me pretty openly to any attack that I honestly believed was coming, I was fearful for my safety, but more so for the girls, it felt like I was a split second away from getting mobbed. I knew I was outnumbered and it felt like if I blinked, it was going to turn into a beat-down. I didn't move, I did what I thought would give me the best chance to protect the kids, and at that moment, that was the only thing running through my head, be a shield.

After it was over, all the tough guy thoughts come to you, I should have head butted that downer..... blah blah, but in the heat of the moment, if you are outnumbered, you think of the safety of the kids, which means you aren't going Rambo dad in a hostile environment.