If you even have to ask the question, you're probably the answer.
Let me preface this by saying: I've never booed my own team at a sporting event, but I can completely understand why someone would. Especially if they're a Lions fan, if only because they make it so easy. And I was tempted to add this to the laundry list I posted earlier of reasons that I want a new head coach for this team.
But Jim Schwartz's comments to fans after Sunday's game, and the firestorm that ensued, were far more fascinating to me than anything that happened on the field that day, because they serve to illustrate how out-of-touch players and coaches really are with their fanbases sometimes, and how misdirected their ire can be. Instead of lashing out at a team that was about to complete the biggest choke job in Detroit sports since the Tigers' 2010 season that ended in a heartbreaking game 163, Schwartz took his anger out on a fanbase that had finally had enough of his asinine in-game management and giving up with time still on the clock in regulation.
However, this isn't about Schwartz's screw-up, but rather about the "how dare you express your displeasure" mentality that found itself on display this week. After letting the fans have it not once, but twice during the game, he had a few more choice words afterwards: "Our fans have been great for us, but we needed them on our side in overtime." Except that it wasn't overtime yet! You still had a chance to win in regulation, and you got scared and let it go to OT instead. Seems an entirely worthy reason for the crowd to let you have it, in my mind.
Even better was the remark by Schwartz that "I don't know how you cannot" pay attention to the jeering fans. Well, you get paid $6 million a year to figure that out. If you're that rattled by booing that you let it get in your head badly enough to start yelling back, then clearly you don't have the mental toughness to be a head coach in the NFL.
Somewhat overshadowed by Schwartz's response this week were the remarks made by Matthew Stafford's girlfriend, who should really just go back to sitting there and looking pretty. Per her Twitter: "You wouldn't even know we were playing at home the way these fans are booing our home team. #unbelievable" Of course, she left herself wide open for @DetroitKoolAid to win the internet for the week with this comeback "You wouldn't know Stafford played for the Lions the way he keeps throwing to the other team." Ya know, it's all well and good you want to stick up for your man. But next time you have a thought like that, maybe don't post it to Twitter where the most piled-upon fanbase in pro sports can see it.
The other argument I always hear against booing your team is "Well, how would you like it if we came to your work and did it to you?" Clearly, anyone who says this has never worked in customer service. Because as a guy who's worked in foodservice for almost a decade, I'd take booing over some of the shit I've taken there! I can't recall how many times people have said downright nasty and vile things to me because their food was five minutes later than they were told, and threats of violence towards us are not at all out of the ordinary. Spare me your bullshit and come have people screaming in your face on a daily basis for $7.40 an hour. Then we'll fucking talk about who has it worse.
It comes down to this: You pay the price of admission to go to the games, you have the right to criticize or boo the team on the field, or the coaches on the sidelines. Period. Obviously, common decency should prevail (I mean, don't go out of your way to be a dick about it), but just because they're on the field doesn't make them above criticism. And if they can't tune it out for millions of dollars a year... I'll gladly let 'em come toss pizzas with me.
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