"Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn."
-Shaw
Well, not exactly. When it comes to sports, nothing compares to the deafening chorus of boos from the home crowd. You want scorn? When the boo-birds rain down on you in your own building, there's no mistaking the message: the natives are restless, and most unhappy.
Scorning one's own team in sports means that at least you care enough to let them know you think they suck. It's when you abandon your team entirely that is cause for concern. I say this in anticipation of a good deal of scorn to come for my Washington Redskins this year. After all they are now 0-5, have been outscored by the widest margin in the league, and are dead last statistically in a wide variety of crucial indexes.
And now for the good news: they have seven home games left on the schedule! Oh, happy day! Better get those booing lungs in shape Redskin fans, we've got a lot of work to do.
To some, booing your team, even in times like this, is tantamount to sporting treason. No matter what, some Ned Flanders types will insist you've got to support your team. To which I say, "bah!" It's like a parent who insists on "supporting" his kid when he gets suspended for smoking at school.
Being a fan is like being a parent, and sometimes tough love is in order.
The one and only game at home this year for the Skins featured a stunning three play, 70 yard drive for a touchdown by the Chiefs. With less than one minute left before the half! I distinctly remember the sound of the boos cascading down from the upper reaches of FedEx Field that day. So full of anger. So indignant. So perfect.
Hell yes the Redskins deserved such wrath at that moment! How do you let a team go 70 yards in three plays, while only throwing the ball once? A more despicable display of spinelessness has rarely been witnessed. In that situation, it's not only right to boo, but it's your obligation to let out a deep, guttural and resounding "Bronx cheer."
Yet while booing your own pathetic team is a responsibility, it must also be done responsibly. By this, you must (as a fan) understand the "unwritten etiquette" of booing. Which, as a public service, I will put in writing now.
Do not boo your team before the game actually begins.
There must be an assumption that every new game has the potential for sudden magic (or at least minimal competence) and that all previous abominations have a statute of limitations which expires as soon as the next game begins. Once the game begins, booing may begin immediately, but only with proper justification. For example, an incomplete pass on the first play is not a boo-able offense. Incompletions happen. But a fumbled snap on the first play, the 93rd fumbled snap of the season? On what should be a detail ironed out in training camp? Oh yes, bring the B-2 bomber of boos.
Seek out specific booing "targets."
The problem with booing is that it inflicts a considerable amount of "collateral damage." In other words, when Tony Banks throws a ball late, too high, and into triple coverage the boos are deserved. But what are they saying? Many fans are booing Marty the idiot who signed him in the first place. Thus, look for times to "target" Marty with your collective wrath. Like when Marty appears on the jumbotron, or when the P.A. announcer introduces him.
Always boo a decision to kick a field goal. Always.
This is a no-brainer. Whenever it is 4th and 2 or less, coaches should be obligated to get some sack and keep "soccer boy" on the sidelines. The booing rarely inspires a change of mind by the coach, but there is an obligation from you, the paying fan, to instill some aggressiveness.
You may not boo when the 4th down play fails.
That would be hypocritical, now, wouldn't it?
You may not boo players based on their salaries.
Juwon Howard was a victim of this while a Washington Wizard. He got razzed game after game while posting solid, but unspectacular numbers of 17 & 8. The problem was his $16 million dollar per year contract, which somebody else was dumb enough to offer him, and he was smart enough to sign. Boo Juwon's agent David Falk, boo Wes Unseld (a notoriously hard target since he often watches games while hiding in the walkway leading to the locker room. A sort of Osama Bin Unseld … ), but don't boo the player.
Fans who do not sell out their building for playoff games may NOT boo anything!
{INSERT_RELATED}This comes as news to the "Johnny Come Lately" Arizona Diamondback fans who decided to boo Matt Williams for misplaying a routine grounder last week in their playoff game against the Cardinals. Two problems here. 1: There were more than 6,000 no shows, which is a joke for a post-season game. Fill your place, and then we'll talk. 2: Who the hell are you guys to boo when your team has only existed for four years! You have no idea what sports suffering truly is! Shut up, fill the place, and count your amazing fortune.
When booing in front of your kids, make sure to explain why you are booing.
This is where responsible booing comes into play. If you decide to blast a player, explain the transgression clearly to junior. "See son, Jeff George isn't supposed to blindly throw the ball over the middle on 3rd and long with the blitz coming. That's why the safety is now doing his touchdown dance in our end zone. Now, let's take a deep breath and let him know how we feel." Booooooooo!
Boo all mascots.
I shouldn't have to mention this, but I will just in case. Should your son inquire as to why you are booing the mascot, remind him that the most storied franchises in sports history (Yankees, Dodgers, Celtics, Lakers, Canadiens) don't currently, and never will, have mascots.
Pace Yourself
Just when you think your pathetic team has heaped the greatest single indignity upon its fans during a game, remember that something even more egregious may be coming on the next play. By the end of the night, you want something left in your tank, just in case.
Remember, booing is your right as a fan, but it is also a responsibility. Otherwise, if you don't boo, the players might start to think that they are doing a pretty good job, and that you and the rest of the fans showed up just for the affordable $6 beers and convenient $20 parking. Boo because you care, boo because its tradition, and boo because it might be the only fun part of your hopeless day at the stadium.
Steve is a native Washingtonian and has worked in sports talk radio for the last 11 years. He worked at WTEM in 1993 anchoring Team Tickers before he took a full time job with national radio network One-on-One Sports.
A graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Steve has worked for WFNZ in Charlotte where his afternoon show was named "Best Radio Show." Steve continues to serve as a sports personality for WLZR in Milwaukee and does fill-in hosting for Fox Sports Radio.
