I’m a sports fan, or at least would think I’d qualify based on the sports I follow and that I write for a sports blog.
However, I just can’t get over the fact that some people take it to far. (I generally don’t like extremists, even when they support a position I share…) This single AP article on the Steelers fans in Pittsburgh post-Super Bowl covers so much of the problem in a single article. I don’t mean to pick on Pittsburgh, because I think this has become the norm for every NFL, NBA, MLB and even some college championships…
First, whats with the rioting and destroying stuff when a team wins a championship?
From the article: Police arrested more than 100 people for failing to disperse from various locations, at least one for arson, and two others for drunken driving. Couches and several garbage containers were set on fire, and several vehicles were overturned as police responded to more than 400 emergency calls during the game and a similar number in the 2 1/2 hours after it ended, city police spokeswoman Diane Richard said.
I don’t know anyone that goes out and destroys stuff for their wedding anniversary or birthday. While I expect that activity from Philadelphia, it really amazes me pretty much anywhere else.
Second, since when does the team winning have anything to do with success of a city in general?
From the article: “I have never had so much pride in my city, ever,” said Barcoay, decked out in a Jerome Bettis jersey.
Congrats to the major sports team owners that have convinced people that paying for tickets to pay players incredibly large salaries and make the owners themselves rich is as important, if not more important, than a great school system or job creation or social outreach. Maybe the politicians and the small business owners could learn something…
Finally, when did public policy and sports meet? I guess it started at stadium financing, but I guess it doesn’t stop.
From the article: Pittsburgh schools delayed openings two hours Monday to allow for the celebration, but other schools were following suit after the victory. TV news stations were scrolling school delays for Monday as if it were a snow day.
I guess when sports achievement is the paramount measure of a city’s success (see #1), letting kids show up to school two hours late is a good way to win reelection… Now, lets remember, Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl in 2006. This isn’t like the ending of the curse, not that I think this would be acceptable under any terms…
I’m all for celebrating. I look forward to a good party when the Nationals make the World Series (likely sometime close to 2020…) But, lets keep some reason to it too.
February 2nd, 2009
Agreed. Well written, David. A little controlled exuberance is good, and i don’t mind the 2-hour delay so much (i’d rather have my hung-over school bus drivers a bit better rested!), but why do people need to riot… especially when they WIN?! where’s the rioting in PHOENIX??!! :-p
February 5th, 2009
That’s actually why I am a bigger college fan. At least at my alma mater, the players are students who you meet in class. Later, the players become alumni and later in life you often find yourself mingling and working with them through alumni groups as other humans, not as larger than life football players. They actually become part of the community. In the pros, the players are hired guns. Trading raises obvious issues of loyalty, but look at guys who aren’t traded. For example, Larry Bird of French Lick, Indiana and Indiana University was synonymous with the Boston Celtics but returned to Indiana to coach and later become head of basketball operations for the Pacers. Nothing against Larry Bird, as he is a really good guy and was active in Boston during his time there, but he was never a Bostonian.Other guys are even more blatant. Look at the cases of Yankees and Red Sox players who have tried to avoid New York and Massachusetts taxes by claiming that their true residence is at their spring training home in Fort Myers or Tampa?
February 5th, 2009
Bob, as much as I worship the ground he walks on, and still say he is the greatest NBA player ever, I’ve actually heard (anecdotaly FWIW) that Larry Joe is kind of an a-hole. Just what I’ve heard . . .
February 5th, 2009
Bob – generally agree on the college front, with the exception of university of Maryland that seems to want to light Route 1 in College Park on fire anytime they win or lose something…
I grew up a huge Maryland fan, but the fans have become such jerks in the past 10-15 years that I just can’t take it anymore. ”Hey You Suck” is not a cheer, and lighting Route 1 on fire is classless–and the university doesn’t seem to really want to do anything about it.
February 5th, 2009
Throw WVU in there as well.