(Remember that this does not reflect each and every one of you. You will know if this applies to you.)
Dear Sports Fan(atic):
I see a lot of things going around these last few years that disturb me. Things that disturb me on a level that hurts me to my very core. Sure, things like Global Warming or the lack of peace overseas, or just Kim Jong Il in general qualify under this category. But there is this one thing that makes me fear for the future of humanity on a level that is only reserved for Skynet.
It is the sports fanatic.
I understand that everyone has their favorite teams. Lord knows that I make no bones about what teams I support. If you didn't know at least one of them, you probably don't read much of my blog, or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or listen to The Clubhouse With Rob And Cody each and every Tuesday night on Ustream at 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific. But there is something I have learned in my many years on this planet. Wisdom that I would like to impart to the sports fanatic.
But before I do that, let me explain something. If you have noticed, I am purposely using the phrase, "sports fanATIC". Using the word "fan" is a shortened version of the word "fanatic," but I honestly believe that losing those last four letters COMPLETELY changes the meaning of the word. For those of you that are "sports fans," this open letter may not, and probably does not, apply to you. Feel free to keep reading, and then lavish me with praise on this subject. For those of you that are "sports fanATICS," get ready, because it's on the way.
Here is a nickel's worth of free advice: YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME/PERSON'S CAREER/ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THE TEAM. Sure, you can argue that if you stop supporting said team/artist/athlete, they may lose in the long run. But understand that your world should not start and end with the performance and win or loss by said entity.
Sports and entertainment are meant for just two things: escapism and to take your money. You are meant to enjoy said event and root for the team or artist that you prefer. What that does NOT mean is that you have the God-given right to infringe on someone else's right to support something that you do not.
I understand the concept of the rivalry. As a Gator fan, I have many friends that support Florida State (and even a few Georgia fans), but that does not mean I have to take the time to talk trash to them and put the dirty laundry of their players on the front lawn of every fan I come across. When I was younger, I was that type. If my team lost, I was almost impossible to be around. Luckily, I had a friend tell me at about the age of 20 that in the end, it's not that big of a deal. Be happy when your team wins, do an "aw, shucks" when your team loses, and that is IT. SERIOUSLY. THAT. IS. IT.
Whether your team has 9,000 championships or has never one a single one, it doesn't matter. Wear the colors, even sport something with the number of your favorite player on it. Show spirit; it's awesome. But just because someone else doesn't have the same beliefs and allegiance as you does not make them a lesser person, nor does it make the players/artists/bands under that banner any kind of racial, sexual, or any other kind of slur that you feel this overwhelming need to thrown. I see too many people out there that feel it is their moral and social obligation to tell you how great their team is, and if you are their opponent, how much your team sucks for not being their team. Many of you will say, "But Rob, you live in DALLAS. It's different there." Trust me, it's not. Yes, it's bad here, but this is an epidemic that is in every corner of the globe. Watched a soccer match recently? A couple of years ago, I even saw bad sportsmanship in a game of collegiate squash. COLLEGIATE SQUASH. What's next, the World Chess Championship marred by a scandal of players dipping the opponents pieces in unsavory things?
I also understand the concept that when these individuals sign to do that which they do, they understand that there will be public scrutiny. But human decency should also play a role here. They will be role models to people across the globe, but that doesn't mean that it's OK to take shots at their families. That doesn't mean that it's OK to throw things at them. That doesn't mean that you should shout hateful things to provoke them in a litigation happy society. If ever there was an example of walking a mile in someone else's shoes, this is it.
So, support that which you love. Be happy in the victories, be encouraging in the losses, but most of all, it all comes down to two very powerful words, that we ALL need to understand.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. Here are a couple of tips before I close:
- Be polite during a game. Win or lose, if you are with someone supporting the opposition, remember what we used to do in little league. Shake their hand and genuinely congratulate them on a good game.
- Don't walk up to people YOU DON'T KNOW and talk trash about the logo on the apparel that they are sporting. You are asking for events that are unnecessary.
- Be careful on what you put out there for public consumption. You would be amazed on how many times what people have put on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and other places just makes me plain SAD.
- You never know whom you know may support the things that you are going out of your way to bash. And if they return fire, remember that you brought this on yourself.
- Basically, STOP THE TRASH TALKING. It's juvenile and unbecoming. Remember how we started this thing. You had nothing to do with the outcome. You are basically living vicariously through someone else's performance, and it just doesn't suit anyone well.
I hope this has served some of you well. If I have offended you in any way, please go back and read this post again. There is no offense intended, just some friendly advice.
Until next time...
BB
