What if Tom Brady had his knee torn up while on the road? Would the hostile crowd cheer?
I give Kansas City fans the benefit of the doubt. I don't think they would relish watching an opposing player writhing in pain from a blow to the knee. Nor would they celebrate their player for taking out an opponent for the year.
But that's Chiefs fans. New Yorkers cheered when they heard the news. A New York newspaper celebrated the injury on their back page.
And now we have the latest example of bad fandom: A Bernard Pollard Fan Club T-shirt. It's the brain-fart of a frustrated Pittsburgh Steelers fan because his team can't get it done when it matters against New England.
Pittsburgh failed in the 2002 AFC Championship. The Steelers claimed bragging rights of best regular season team following a 2004 win, but got smoked in the AFC Championship that season. And when reserve safety Anthony Smith boasted the Steelers would win last year, Smith was picked on by Brady and Pittsburgh was steamrolled.
I understand how jealousy manifests into raging hate. Fans want their team to have a chance to win. But at what costs? I hate the Indianapolis Colts, but I'd much rather the Patriots beat Indy when the Colts are healthy. It makes the win much more satisfying.
When QB Ben Roethlisberger stupidly rode a motorcycle without a helmet and got in an accident, I was critical, but wished him well. When he was hospitalized with appendicitis, I wanted a quick recovery.
We have the right enjoy the demise of bitter rivals. But to get enjoyment from injuries is embarrassing. How would you like it if a bunch of people celebrated a serious car accident with you and your buddies/family waiting for the jaws of life to pry everyone out of the SUV?
Pollard doesn't take pride in ending Brady's season. Knowing some fans take pleasure from it probably makes him sick.
Comments
Man, you are preaching to the choir when it comes to me.
I am an Eagles fan, we pelted Jimmy Johnson with snowballs and everybody cheered when Michael Irvin was carted of the field with a neck injury that ended his career. I know what you are thinking despicable right, well just be grateful that it was just a funny t-shirt and not unopened beer can throwing.
In my only NFL game Browns vs. Eagles in Cleveland in '04, there was about 13 people taken out of the stands into custody. 11 of them were Eagles fans, a t-shirt and a fake fan club would be nice once in a while.
But then again this is why I love my Eagles fans.