I went to an intramural basketball game Monday night. The guys on my floor were taking on another residence hall in an epic battle which could only be matched in intensity and skill by a game seven of the NBA finals. If you've ever met me or been near me at a sporting event of any kind, you know that I like to cheer. Well, jeer might be more like it.
The bottom line is that at the game, I took my shots at the opposing team like any good red-blooded American man would. I wasn't vulgar; I wasn't offensive, I simply made it clear which team my friends were on, and which they were not.
We're not talking harsh stuff here. I distinctly remember yelling things about how the other team's shirts did not match their shorts. I whipped out my best sarcastic voice for a few "nice shots" (otherwise known as airballs). And my personal favorite was when a player on the other team got a little too rough and viscously pushed a player on my team. We're not talking a blocking foul or a moving screen. This was a blatant, two-handed shove that almost received a technical foul. This guy pushed my friend.
Excuse me for feeling a bit protective.
Towards the end of the game, I received a warning from the referee that I was no longer allowed to talk to the other team. Later, I would find out this warning was for a comment someone near me said, that the ref mistook for one of my jeers. But I also received comments from players on both sides about my actions during the game. Later, I was holding a door open for several people to walk through, and someone I didn't know from the other team made physical contact with me and sarcastically thanked me for "the negative cheers." "This isn't high school," another added.
Exactly. This isn't high school. So get over it.
This is the way I've always been. Sports are a big passion of mine, and watching them in person brings out a side of me that doesn't come out any other way. Some people are offended by this. And I can understand why, I just don't agree with it. It's just a game; don't take it too seriously. I don't say or yell anything offensive, so don't take it that way. It's all part of the game. And you know the best way to shut me up? Win. Beat my team. Then, I'll have no choice but to stop talking.
Or maybe that's not enough for you. Maybe the only way for some people to stop complaining about the way I act at sporting events is to know why I do it. Maybe it's because I wanted to play sports since I was a little boy. Maybe it's because I was a poor little homeschooled kid whose parents didn't let me get involved in athletics. Maybe it's because I'm a 6'3", 170-pound average white guy who can only play backyard football with any kind of skill level.
Maybe the whole time I'm yelling and screaming and supporting my team, I'm wishing I was one of the players I was yelling at. Maybe I've wished my entire life to have the opportunity the play competitive sports. Maybe I'm just yelling because I'm jealous.
Huh... I think I just figured out why I'm a sports writer.
So if I've ever offended you at a sporting event, or if my type just makes you sick to your stomach, I'm sorry. Really. It's not my intention to viciously attack people or offend anyone in any way. Just consider the possibility that it's not me who is taking the game too seriously. I'm just having fun, supporting my team; participating in athletics the only way I can.
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