Who's Obsessed and Arrogant? Us?
by Bill Gouveia
Despite the fact the Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs played perhaps the most entertaining and intense game of the entire NFL season two Sunday nights ago, the actions of a handful of fans — one in particular — seems to be commanding a lot of local and national attention.
Despite the fact the Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs played perhaps the most entertaining and intense game of the entire NFL season two Sunday nights ago, the actions of a handful of fans — one in particular — seems to be commanding a lot of local and national attention.
And rightly so, to a point.
A 21-year-old Mansfield man is under investigation for tossing a beer into the face of Chief’s receiver Tyreek Hill after he burned the Patriots for an amazing 75 yard touchdown reception late in the final quarter. He was also greeted by several New England fans with an all-too-familiar obscene gesture known as “flipping the bird.”
The Patriots organization, with local police, identified the beer-thrower and took swift action in less than 24 hours. He is banned for life from all Gillette Stadium events, and will be referred to authorities for possible charges.
In the meantime, the national narrative has returned to how awful Boston fans are. How they are generally obsessed Neanderthals who have no lives other than their local sports franchises, and the most obnoxious fan base in the entire country.
I’ll agree with at least part of that.
As a dedicated and lifetime Boston sports fan, let me fully admit to the obsession aspect. Professional sports in these parts has always been taken more seriously than in other places outside the Northeast. Of course, there are levels of said obsession. It is possible to be an avid Boston sports fan without being a bit over the top — though I admit to not quite understanding how.
As a 47-year Patriots season ticket holder, I’ll also agree with the obnoxious charge. As a stereotypical group, we are hard to take. Two decades of unprecedented success has brought our smugness to new levels. Add three Red Sox championships in the last 14 years (and possibly another this year), and it gets worse.
But in my nearly five decades of going to Patriot games, I have to tell you Pats fans are generally not poorly behaved at the stadium. Since the Kraft family bought the team, they have enforced better conduct at the stadium. For the first 20 years or so I had my tickets? Well, that was another story. The tales of crazy and unlawful behavior at the old Schaeffer/Sullivan/Foxboro stadium were pretty disgusting.
But the rise in criticism of Boston fans is directly related to the rise in success of Boston teams. And that just goes with the territory.
Let’s be clear. The idiot who threw a beer at an opposing player deserves the lifetime ban. That borders on assault, and should never be tolerated. He deserves to face charges.
But having attended Patriot games in New York, Pittsburgh, Oakland (talk about criminal behavior) and many other places, let me tell you Gillette is far from the worst. That doesn’t excuse the recent behavior, but it is not unique nor unprecedented.
It’s still wrong, and Patriot fans need to be better than that. But we are not totally obsessed idiots.
Now excuse me while I find my lucky shirt and drape it over my life-size Tom Brady statue in the bedroom.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and a longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.
No comments:
Post a Comment