In his column Tuesday John Canzano featured a letter from a former Oregon player, a guy the Oregonian writer said played in a recent BCS bowl for the Ducks, coming back to Autzen for the first time to take in a game as a spectator (Steve Dykes, Getty Images Photo).
The player isn’t named, but he calls out fans in strong language for bad behavior and entitled attitudes:
“My friend and I took our seats where I soon became acquainted with the most ignorant people in all of college football. Directly behind me were a couple of drunk (expletive) who criticized Marcus’ ability to throw the football, DeAnthony’s ability to run the football, the lineman’s ability block, and the coach’s ability to analyze film and call plays. After hearing so much ignorant (expletive), I turned around to tell the “fans” to chill the (expletive) out. Marcus had overthrown a receiver on a tough play and the spectator made comment, “Hey, Marcus! Throw it inbounds, dumbass!” in, which I finally had enough, and turned around and asked if he would like to get down there and take Marcus’ place. The man responded, “No”. Then I asked if we were all still rooting for Oregon, in which he responded in an aggressive, irrelevant and incoherent manner and so I decided to discontinue the conversation I had started with him.”
“I was then verbally attacked by other spectators saying, ‘you need to keep your (expletive) mouth shut, because you don’t know (expletive) about football.’ They claimed that I didn’t know that they had coached college football, and that I had no idea what I was talking about. Ironic to say the least, considering my background and what you know of me, what my old teammates know of me, and what my old coaches know of me.”
The former player goes on to talk about how disillusioned he was by the experience, how little appreciation fans have for the demands and sacrifices playing the game requires. He concludes, “I will always love the ducks: my coaches, my teammates, my brothers and family. The rest… Go (expletive) yourselves.”
How should fans react to this? The letter describes some shameful behavior, but it does so under the cover of anonymity, and it’s offered up by a columnist whose credibility with Oregon fans has been long exhausted.
One note would be that in a crowd of 59,000, many of whom had been drinking since 11 a.m., there will always be a sad minority with no regard for decency or perspective. The majority of Duck fans are loyal, passionate, courteous and enthusiastic, readily understanding that it’s a game, mindful that these are students and young people and their parents are also in the stands.
Those who have never played the game, never lifted the weights or endured the August heat, ought to have a little humility about how they react to an overthrown pass or a missed field goal. Most ordinary people have never experienced a workplace where their successes and failures are projected on an 85-foot-high TV screen. Few could handle the fame, attention or pressure of playing for a national title at 19 years old.
People also forget how bad Duck football used to be, how seldom Oregon would win. In the sports currency we’re new money, and some of us act like it, gold chains, obnoxious gestures, foul language, gloating, taunting, rudeness and contempt for the opponent and the game, sometimes even Oregon players.
Making a mistake in a football game isn’t the end of the world. It isn’t the measure of a young man, who is somebody’s son.
Canzano’s accomplice would have more credibility if he’d signed his name. But to dismiss it entirely would be a mistake also.
F-bombs, whether directed at officials, coaches, opponents or Duck players, are never okay. It’s true you paid for your ticket, but so did everyone around you.
Too much alcohol brings out the worst in just about everyone.
The business of college football is sordid. The backroom deals, the cheating and inducements, the long-term damage the game does to the people who play it, the vast disparity between the profits the players generate for coaches and universities versus their share in them, is as shameful as the drunk swaggering and bellowing in section 34.
The game, the history, tradition, color and competition, is the most beautiful sporting spectacle on the planet.
People will do and say things in a mob they would never dream of doing in their daily lives. It’s part of the ugly side of human nature.
The next time you pass an opposing fan on the concourse at Autzen, offer him your hand. Look him in the eye and say, “Welcome to Oregon. Good luck today.”
I taught my grandson Ethan to play golf. After the ninth hole (he’s five; nine holes is the perfect time to go get ice cream) I’ve taught him to look his playing partner in the eye, shake hands and say, “Nice playing with you today.” There are few opportunities in life to practice and demonstrate rituals of irreplaceable, fundamental courtesy. The effort to do so is the hope of our civilization. Its absence is at the root of decline in our most cherished institutions.
Attending a college football is an opportunity to see grace and courage that you have never seen before. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate the kind of human being you want to be. The blog comments section is another.
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