Sports fans, for the most part, need to relax. Although our passions and dedication to our favorite teams should allow us to make our opinions regarding a player or team’s performance known at any given time, I ask that we—that is, all sports fans—take a step back to contemplate the substance of those sentiments before we make them public.
Just canvass Twitter, the online message board dedicated to discussion of your favorite team. The unabashedness of fans, in terms of doling out unfair criticisms and hurtful characterizations, is downright scary and repugnant. “Fire the general manager,” “fire the coach,” “get rid of this player,” “this guy sucks,” are just some of the tamer samplings of what can be written or shouted by sports fans at games or through social media. You can even find this sort of sentiment at a Georgetown basketball game.
Do I understand that we live in the world of reality, not a utopian society where everything works out well for everyone? Of course I do. I understand that fans invest substantially—both with their dollars and their time—into their respective teams. I understand players, coaches, and executives, in exchange for their ability to pursue most fans’ dream jobs, should (and will be) under the public spotlight more than most, leaving them open to criticism. And I also understand that there are some people, with regards to coaching and executive positions, that are just not cut out for the job.
However, there still remains no excuse for some of the acrimonious comments directed by fans. No one should cheer for someone to lose their livelihood, unless that person committed an egregious moral blunder or crime. Fans have a right to criticize a player’s performance or a coach’s decision, but they should not blatantly root for someone’s failure.
As I alluded to before, this no more evident than in my hometown of New York, where our two NFL franchises, the Giants and the Jets, are in the midst of concluding their worst seasons in almost a decade. In their collective disappointment, a substantial number of both teams’ fanbases are calling for the removal of the teams’ head executives, Giants GM Jerry Reese and Jets GM John Idzik, as well as the firings of the longtime coaches Tom Coughlin and Rex Ryan.
While I may not agree with these sentiments, I understand the frustrations. Some of the measures taken to exhibit these frustrations, however, I do not comprehend at all. Websites such as firejohnidzik.com have propped up on the Internet along with numerous Facebook groups titled “Fire Jerry Reese” or “Fire Rex Ryan.” A few weeks ago, a Jets fan even flew a plane carrying a banner with the words “Fire John Idzik” over the Jets practice facility.
Just put yourself in their shoes. If you had a rough semester at school or a difficult period at work, would you want people going onto Twitter saying that you should be dismissed or fired? Would you want people to create websites or forums on message boards all dedicated to your shortcomings? Would you want someone flying a jet carrying a banner that harshly proclaims your ineptitude? I think the answer is pretty clear.
I understand the frustrations of many sports fans. I used to yell at players and hope a coach or executive got fired. I know it would be naive to think everybody’s performances in their professions would not be subject to criticism. I get that.
But the next time before you do engage in the ritual of booing, hoping someone gets fired, or shouting “You suck” at a player, think. Think about how you would feel if you trade places with that athlete. Think about that person’s family and the difficulties they must be going through, as they see the potential of one of their loved ones losing their job. And lastly, think about the person you’re directing the vitriol towards. If you’re feeling heated about your team’s struggles, don’t you think they feel the same way.
One of the many great aspects of sports is the passion of its fans, and the time and energy they devote to following their favorite teams. Sometimes, however, we allow these passions to bring out the worst in ourselves a little too often. We need to think before we speak, because despite their exorbitant salaries and the public spotlight they enjoy, these players, coaches, and executives are people first.
