Don't be an Idiot!

I've blogged about this type of thing before, but I don't remember the consequences being so severe.  Bryan Stow, 42, of Santa Cruz, Ca. loves his San Francisco Giants.  He went to Los Angeles to see his team play the rival Dodgers in the season-opener.  As you might imagine, Stowe made it clear who he was rooting for.  He wore his Giants hat and jersey and cheered as loudly as he could for his team.  After the game, Stowe was walking to his car when he was attacked by two men wearing Dodgers apparel.  The Associated Press provides a more detailed account in the video below (Email subscribers click here).



In cases like this, some of the best examples of how to behave during a rivalry game come from the players themselves.  You do know that Giants players don't actually hate Dodgers players, right?  Many of these guys are the best of friends.  They hang out after the game.  Their wives shop together.  Some even take family vacations together.  Let's be clear about this.  Every fan has the right to go to a game and cheer, boo, and wave foam fingers as much as they want - even if they're wearing the other team's colors.  What's not covered in the video is that the police don't have any suspects, even though there were at least 100 eye-witnesses.  Come on, people.  Have the courage to step up and give Bryan Stowe and his family the justice they deserve.

You can make sure this doesn't happen in your youth league or when you and the guys go watch the pros.  Through a Child's Eyes is a booklet available from the St. Louis Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Initiative that clearly details the roles of athletes, coaches, officials, and fans.  Best of all, it's free.  Click on the following link and order as many as you like - http://bit.ly/KnowYourRole.  So, remember to cheer loudly and have a good time.  Just don't be an idiot!  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol