The Coliseum Revisited

Southern California is home to both the Los Angeles Memorial Colliseum and the Forum, both of which are reminders of the athletic competitions enjoyed by thousands during the era of Roman dominance in world history. How fitting then that fans behave the way they do booing and hissing at sub par performances by athletes who may as well be caged animals and gladiators. Whether it’s the now famous episode of then Indiana Pacers star Ron Artest running up into the stands to turn words into fists or the Staples Center regulars throwing foam fingers in disgust, a dangerous condescension is present in our sports culture.

I once heard a man say to members of the Los Angeles Clippers, as they departed the floor at halftime, “Raise your hand if you haven’t been to jail.” Really? As a ticket holder, that’s within my rights. On the contrary, if any rights accompany fanaticism for your team they are to remain tactful and poised. I believe the adage is, “Win with grace. Lose with dignity.” But there’s no dignity in deflection and that’s what fans do. Whether it’s throwing beer on an opposing player or vehemently voicing disapproval, the fan is the last person worthy of reviling the game’s participant. Argue if you will that you help fund the exorbitant salary of the professional athlete. How does that sanction indecency and the type of actions we are accustomed to seeing at the zoo?

The men and women on the court, field, diamond, etc. are human beings. They’re immensely gifted, imperfect and often distracted human beings. Fans are spectators and nothing more, the majority of whom have never trained for or played a sport at professional intensity. The berating of players by fans similar to that demonstrated by Lakers Fans on Friday is embarrassing. Fans who boo their own teams belong at home. Do you boo your kids when they bring home less than stellar marks? Do you insult your wife because she burned dinner? Do you humiliate your husband when his multiple attempts at finding work prove futile? Some may but it’s wrong in those cases just as it is in public. It’s perhaps more grievous in the arena because one harsh critic is better than 19,000.

That said, gone are the days of the chariots and spears. There is no Maximus (Russell Crowe – Gladiator) in real life. We see athletes who often exude bravado and pomp. They are wrong for that too because it mistakenly deludes the public into a belief that the athletes are non-humans. Don’t buy it for one second. Mind your places fans. Win like you’ve done it before and lose with a shred of class. If we’re true fans, it’s our loss not just theirs and being immature and malicious doesn’t change the outcome of the game. If you “Fan Up,” then man up and be civilized.