Now in the past I've gotten on pro players for their occasional poor onfield behavior, but apparently I now need to lecture the fans! First off in Denver where a fan screamed things like "You suck!" to Nuggets coach Dan Issel. Issel responded to the fan, "Have another beer you Mexican ****." Ok, first off, a coach should be above this kind of exchange, but in my opinion just because someone pays to get into a stadium does not give them the right to verbally attack players, coaches and officials. To that fan in Denver I say "you suck!". Yes, boo or groan, but to call players or coaches by name or point at them and scream obscenities or derogatory comments is completely uncalled for. What Issel said was wrong, but I know if some fan had verbally attacked me while on the field I would have defended myself. Just imagine if someone comes into your workplace and verbally attacks you...how would you feel? I know that players need to be immune to fan verbiage, but there is such a thing as stepping over the line.
In Cleveland and New Orleans a couple weeks ago we had a similar fan unrest. Throwing bottles on the field? What kind of example is that setting for the children in the stands and at home? What will the kids take from these events...maybe throw things after a bad call at a Little League game? At a time when we are trying to be a more compassionate nation, these acts of unbridled fan aggression seem totally out of place. When we go to a sporting event as fans we expect a few things; a good time and safety for us and our family. Fans like these ruin that sense of fun and security for everyone and place the stadiums and leagues in dangerous legal situations, as well as flirting with a night or two in jail!
Listen, no game is perfect. It is played by humans and officiated by humans so there will be mistakes. No coach has ever gotten a call reversed by screaming at an official, and no official has ever overturned a call after being pelted by plastic bottles. We as fans need to police ourselves, so if you see a someone getting a little out of line, call security, or whack 'em with a plastic bottle and tell him he "sucks"!
Finally, I've been getting a lot of requests (okay, 2 or 3) for autographed pictures. My generation of players kind of missed out on the whole sports collectible thing, so I'm thinking about doing my part to revive it! I may package one acting picture and one sports picture and sell them off the site for one low price...I will keep you guys posted on it.
Next column want to talk NFL and make my predictions for the playoffs. We'll see together how bad I can be as a prognosticator!
To all the Sports Hollywooders, have a great New Year and see you in 2002!
January 1, 2001
edmarinaro@sportshollywood.com
