In a post-Cold War 21st Century world, is there a place for booing in sports? Sure, but only within certain oft-debated parameters.
Good old Webster's defines this human lowing as a sound "used to express contempt or disapproval." Western civilization booing can be traced back to the sixth century B.C. Greek amphitheater when crowd cheers and jeers determined which playwrights would win the Dionysian festivals.
While ancient Greeks may have considered vocal expression tantamount to cultural compulsion, there are precious few occasions where modern boo-ers are anything other than rude and boorish. Due to some bizarre laws of physics that I don't really care about, a very few boo birds can fill an arena with disapprobation. Fans have more power than one might think, which levies more responsibility to be selective in our outbursts.
Let's review, shall we? I hope no one needs to be reminded that any injured player receives nothing but cheers and prayers. In addition to not yelling profanities/slurs or attacking (verbally or otherwise) the opponents' families or friends, there are several instances in which it is never permissible to boo.
1) Children's teams. When I suddenly became a high school step-parent, one of the more socially horrifying experiences of my life was that first P.T.A. meeting. There was shouting, profanity and a complete lack of decency, much less manners. Add in a dose of Little League competition and you have the ugly sports parent.
Yes, sports fans, unless and until they start making sports events X-rated we do have to be role models. It's called being an adult. Learning that we all win and lose is essential in children's sports, but how we prepare our young competitors for the game and how they see us treat their rivals is just as important. Teaching that a fine performance, even by the "opposition," should be appreciated is critical. And that doesn't happen when Jimmy's dad is cursing at the six year olds from across town.
2) Collegiate sports. Many rabid fans point out that college sports can be big business. So what? The players are still not adults and they are (mostly) unpaid. You may "live" to cheer for a university you graduated from 20 years ago, but the kids on the field (and their mothers in the stands) don't need to hear abuse rained on their heads. Grow up and celebrate the event, not the defeat of a bunch of student-athletes (even when that term is suspect).
3) Draft picks. Yes, I know that fans who do this (read particularly Philly and the Jets) are really booing the front office or the owner, but it's some poor kid standing there getting embarrassed while his family is appalled and probably outraged. They're not gazilllionaires yet; let's not make them collateral damage. Seriously, folks, it's just plain old mean. (Noted exception to this rule: booing the commissioner during a lockout or for interfering in a trade or for loopholes in mishandling drug tests. They're big, powerful millionaires with hides like rhinoceroses -- go for it!)
4) Free enterprise. Newsflash -- player free agency is here to stay. Most professional sports balance the athlete's right to auction his/her services to the top bidder with some sort of salary cap, luxury tax, etc. so that the richer teams don't always walk all over the "little" guys. It's a generally fair system. So, if one's favorite player leaves town -- get over it. Sure, LeBron James is now the poster boy for how not to take a new gig, but Cleveland fans show themselves bitter and small when they boo him. He gave you seven years, guys!
Worse, a few Utah Jazz fans still boo Derek Fisher. He moved closer to specialized hospitals so that his daughter wouldn't be blind or worse. And it was five years ago. Get a grip, people.
Even, and I can't believe I'm typing this, Alex Rodriguez should be able to show up in Seattle without fan abuse. Um, I hate to break it to you, coffee folks, but he's been with two teams since leaving the Mariners at the turn of the century. It's not that I can't think of reasons for booing A-Rod, it's just that I'm fairly sure the statute of limitations has run out on this one.
5) Even booing the opponent isn't harmless. Of course they are, for that afternoon, the "enemy." Of course their players get paid to play the game and most expect to be booed at some point in their careers. That is not the point. West Point refers to sports as "the fields of friendly strife." As usual, West Point has it right. Treat your competitors with dignity, play as hard as you possibly can and handle the outcome with a modicum of grace. That is the point.
6) It is never, ever acceptable to boo one's own team. Even if they stink. Even if they appear to quit. The fans do pay for a great entertainment product and deserve to receive a great entertainment product. But this isn't stand-up. It's a situation in which the performers can get hurt. Really hurt. Even if it's beach volleyball, much less contact sports.
That trumps our right to boo. Unless we are positive that every single human out there laid down (which is never true) and unless we are positive that we could suit up and do better after dedicating our entire waking life to being an athlete -- it is incumbent upon us to enjoy the incredible good fortune of spending time at a live event, munch our popcorn, drink our beer and applaud our guys and girls as they exit the arena. Every single time.
If we can't show some class and dignity when we deal with the emotions of sports, there's not a single chance that we'll show it when dealing with people. Sports are the mark of a civilization evolving upwards from actually making war on the tribe from across the river. It would be terrific to remember that.
Follow Barbara Bruno on Twitter: www.twitter.com/allprofootball
Success with Manners
"Winning isn't everything."
He did not then go on to say: "It's the only thing."
He went on to say: "Wanting to win is."
And therin lies the difference.
Seven years? How about Cal Ripken, Jr.? He gave the Orioles 20 years. How about George Brett? He gave the Royals 20 years. How about Derek Jeter? He's given the Yankees 17 years so far. How about Robin Yount? He gave the Brewers 20 years. These are all Hall of Fame players. With the exception of Yount, all of them have won championships. All of them had class to go with their skill.
LeBron dissed Cleveland and its fans. He quit on them. They don't boo him because he left. They boo him because he quit. If life is fair, LeBron will never win a championship. In fact, I can name twenty guys right now who are and were better than LeBron: Russell, Bird, McHale, M. Johnson, Jabbar, Chamberlain, M. Malone, O. Robertson, de Busschere, Baylor, Jordan, Pippen, Duncan, B. Walton, Durand, Olaujawon, Erving, Marovich, Stockton, and Nowitzki.
2. booing histrionic, attention-seeking basketball refs who overbearingly impose their own act and antics on children's or high school level AAU games- as some often do- is a REQUIRED booing.
3. nothing is more valuable to a talented young ballplayer than an opposing coach complimenting their individual effort and skills after an embarassing blowout loss.
#2 - wow. Haven't seen that - that's pretty awful.
#1 - no, not from Philly :)
2. They're away from home. They represent hordes of fans. They're hoping to become pros. It's time to grow up.
3. See #2, except the athletes are older. Goes for the parents, too.
4. There is NO statute of limitations on disloyalty.
5. Moidah da bums. This ain't cricket. We're not going to share a cuppa at half-time. Moidah da bums.
6. It's REQUIRED to boo your home team. How else would they know that you love them? Just ask Mike Schmidt.
Especially #6. Are you from Philly?
I grew up a Brooklyn Dodger fan, so you can imagine why I believe that there's no statute of limitations on disloyalty. I live about equidistant from the NYC and Phillie media markets, which is why I'm hip to booing Schmidt.
Lot's more to this story than you've presented. Fisher acted in bad faith and took advantage of Larry Miller's compassion and generosity. There were all kinds of ways that he could have gotten the best medical care for his daughter and still honored his contract.
But I do appreciate you taking the time to read my article.
I see by your avitar that Mr. Manning will be enjoying your loyalty this season.
However - I do not. Just because you pay money does not give you a right to be classless. I know it's a tradition. It is a tradition that I don't respect.
Glad you appreciate that a G-rating is necessary.
I have spent a LOT of time at sporting venues as a spectator and a participant. And being forced to sit next to people who are booing interferes with my enjoyment of the game. It's tacky and embarrasses me as a fan.
Just because "everyone does it" doesn't make it right.
Obviously people will do whatever they think is acceptable. I just don't have to endorse it.
But thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
Thanks for reading and commenting.