When, in a sane world, does meanness outweigh violence? What would you choose; snowballs or arson? Gentlemen’s Quarterly (more affectionately known as GQ) has once again placed an unflattering light on Philadelphia fans, naming them the worst in America. I love the byline calling us “The Meanest Fans in America”. Yet the third worst fans (West Virginia University) have a reputation for setting fires (1,120 blazes 1997-2003, as well as presently setting dumpster fires weekly) and the 13th worst fans (University of Wisconsin) throws bottles at little girls and sexually hazes their marching band.
What is so wrong with being mean? When did sports become so fluffy? Basically, you are telling me and my fellow Philadelphia fans that we should pay a small fortune to watch a game without expressing the slightest criticism. We should just sit there and coddle the egos of millionaire athletes when you can blatantly see they are not doing what they’re getting paid to do? Is this what you are telling us to do?
This is the rowdiest photo GQ could come up with for the so-called "Worst Sports Fans in America". What a joke!
The first thing that the national media brings up when talking about Philadelphia is that we booed Santa and threw snowballs at him. Here are some facts that I think you should know before bringing that up yet again: This incident was over 40 years ago and The Philadelphia Eagles royally stunk. They were not booing Santa; they were booing the terrible performance by The Eagles. I was nowhere near being born in 1968, but I’m pretty sure I would have booed Santa too.
Let me give you a little perspective of what goes on in the mind of Philadelphia fans. We are losing badly, and you want to throw Santa Claus out there to do what?…make us feel better, forget that we are a horrible team? Surely you jest. My issue is that the organization at the time thought this would be a good idea.
As for Michael Irvin and his injury, I only have one thing to say. We didn’t know it would end his career. If we did, we wouldn’t have booed. We are not that heartless.
“Pukemon” (the vomiting incident) was the act of a young man who was being irresponsible with his alcohol content. It was crude and disgusting, and I am pretty sure that little girl is scarred for life, but that kid does not represent the fans of Philadelphia. The taser incident was some young kid trying to get his fifteen minutes of fame, so please don’t go overboard with this one.
I saw some of the other nominees for “worst fans” and I do not believe that we are the worst. We don’t set fires and we don’t maim or kill. What sports stadium doesn’t have an occasional fight or two? The problem with everyone outside of Philadelphia is they don’t understand the intense relationship we have with our sports teams. We live and die with them, so we expect nothing but the best from them. Quite frankly, GQ is a white collar magazine and this is a blue collar city. We don’t sit in a box seat sipping on scotch and smoking a cigar. We are out in the blistering cold and sweltering heat supporting our teams , hoping they can get us the golden goose.
Instead of sitting on your high horse casting your vote about something you have no idea about, you should get out there with us, sit amongst us and you might find that we aren’t such a bad city of fans after all.
