Be a Fan, Not a Fool
I had the (dis)pleasure of going to the Vancouver Canucks’ game on Thursday night and then the BC Lions’ game just two nights later on Saturday night. Don’t get me wrong, I feel very fortunate that I am able to go to games on a semi-regular basis, and the company was great (I went with Sean to the hockey game, and with my whole family plus Father Luterbach to the football game). And I am a TRUE fan…I don’t have to worry about spraining my ankles from jumping on and off the bandwagon.
Unfortunately, it was the behaviour of the fans at both games that left a sour taste in my mouth.
Admittedly, the Canucks didn’t help matters by playing in the worst hockey game I’ve ever seen live. Goalie Roberto Luongo inexplicably let in the first two shots he faced. So when he saved the next shot he faced (a light wrister from behind centre), some of the 18,630 fans in attendance saw it fit to sarcastically cheer our all-star netminder. I couldn’t believe my ears. Most fans know that Luongo was the primary factor behind our outstanding season last year (especially post-Christmas). Thus, I think he’s entitled to a bad outing once in a while. I was embarrassed for him (not that he needs my seal of approval) and to his credit, he addressed the fans’ reaction in his post-game interviews.
His teammates were no better, as they put the sell-out crowd to sleep. Literally. Sean, who was looking forward to the game all week, fell asleep in the 2nd period (the late start of 8pm, as opposed to 7pm, didn’t help). I wanted to join him to avoid viewing the debacle unfolding before my eyes, but then I’m not sure who would have carried both of us back to the car. That was the last way I wanted to end my night: by dragging 50 pounds of dead weight through a crowded stadium and then 10 minutes in the rain back to my office building. Upon dropping Mike and Chris off (who rode there and back with us), Mike smartly remarked that the ride in the Odyssey to and from downtown was more fun than the game. No argument here.
Then, on Saturday night we picked up Father Luterbach at 6pm and headed downtown for the BC Lions game against the Calgary Stampeders (we go with Father Luterbach once a year to see our Lions). The game was an entertaining, albeit sloppy, one. Things started off well, as we scored a 50-yard touchdown on our second play from scrimmage.
Our viewing experience was dampened slightly by the 7 or 8 twenty-somethings in the row behind us who were drunk, obnoxious, and foul-mouthed. One of them spilt his beer, and some of it seeped onto the ground beneath our feet. Another guy spilt some beer on Jake's seat; thankfully Jake was standing elsewhere at the time. It took about 5 minutes for the guy to apologize or acknowledge it, until his friends' constant badgering got to him. "Sorry" he said, tapping me on the shoulder. I said, "No problem, but you can wipe up the beer." Unsurprisingly, he didn't even flinch. We ended up changing seats at half-time, and enjoyed the rest of the 25-24 Lions victory.
As per usual with BC Lions games, there were numerous fights in the stands, the most violent and intense one being a few rows up from our original seats! As I watched the hooligans being dragged away by police and security, I reflected on the large “Be a Fan, Not a Fool” banner in the endzone. I applaud the Lions for being pro-active and trying to make the experience as positive as possible for spectators. But I guess anytime you mix people and beer, you’re going to get some drunken craziness.
As an aside, kudos to the Lions’ public address announcer, who actually told the fans to stop doing the wave while the Lions were on offence and to save the noise for when Calgary had the ball. I hope the fans get it right for the big Western Final in 2 weeks.
For every silly fan or for every bandwagon jumper, there are plenty of good fans. I have become good friends with one such fan over the past couple of months. His name is Matt Hawkins, and he has his own video production company called Emerging Productions. I met him at the Campusfire youth rally I spoke at last month. Matt is a fellow winner in last year’s Ultimate Canucks Search.
Coincidentally, I met Matt for lunch on Friday, the day between the Canucks and Lions games. I was running a bit late, so when I called him to notify him, he asked if he could order ahead for me. I said sure. He then asked me if I liked meat. Again, I replied affirmatively. Two minutes after arriving, the waitress brought to me the biggest burger I've ever seen. It was so big that I didn't even know how to tackle it. After a few minutes of hopelessly trying to bite into it, I ended up carving it up with my knife. And I could only finish half of it! We had a great time, sharing stories about the contest, the Canucks, and ministry. Check out Matt’s hockey blog here. You won’t be disappointed.
So the next time you’re watching your favourite team, whether live or on tv, remember what it means to be a fan. Passion. Knowledge. Loyalty. That means you sticking with your team through thick and thin.
That’s how you be a fan and not a fool.
Unfortunately, it was the behaviour of the fans at both games that left a sour taste in my mouth.
Admittedly, the Canucks didn’t help matters by playing in the worst hockey game I’ve ever seen live. Goalie Roberto Luongo inexplicably let in the first two shots he faced. So when he saved the next shot he faced (a light wrister from behind centre), some of the 18,630 fans in attendance saw it fit to sarcastically cheer our all-star netminder. I couldn’t believe my ears. Most fans know that Luongo was the primary factor behind our outstanding season last year (especially post-Christmas). Thus, I think he’s entitled to a bad outing once in a while. I was embarrassed for him (not that he needs my seal of approval) and to his credit, he addressed the fans’ reaction in his post-game interviews.
His teammates were no better, as they put the sell-out crowd to sleep. Literally. Sean, who was looking forward to the game all week, fell asleep in the 2nd period (the late start of 8pm, as opposed to 7pm, didn’t help). I wanted to join him to avoid viewing the debacle unfolding before my eyes, but then I’m not sure who would have carried both of us back to the car. That was the last way I wanted to end my night: by dragging 50 pounds of dead weight through a crowded stadium and then 10 minutes in the rain back to my office building. Upon dropping Mike and Chris off (who rode there and back with us), Mike smartly remarked that the ride in the Odyssey to and from downtown was more fun than the game. No argument here.
Then, on Saturday night we picked up Father Luterbach at 6pm and headed downtown for the BC Lions game against the Calgary Stampeders (we go with Father Luterbach once a year to see our Lions). The game was an entertaining, albeit sloppy, one. Things started off well, as we scored a 50-yard touchdown on our second play from scrimmage.
Our viewing experience was dampened slightly by the 7 or 8 twenty-somethings in the row behind us who were drunk, obnoxious, and foul-mouthed. One of them spilt his beer, and some of it seeped onto the ground beneath our feet. Another guy spilt some beer on Jake's seat; thankfully Jake was standing elsewhere at the time. It took about 5 minutes for the guy to apologize or acknowledge it, until his friends' constant badgering got to him. "Sorry" he said, tapping me on the shoulder. I said, "No problem, but you can wipe up the beer." Unsurprisingly, he didn't even flinch. We ended up changing seats at half-time, and enjoyed the rest of the 25-24 Lions victory.
As per usual with BC Lions games, there were numerous fights in the stands, the most violent and intense one being a few rows up from our original seats! As I watched the hooligans being dragged away by police and security, I reflected on the large “Be a Fan, Not a Fool” banner in the endzone. I applaud the Lions for being pro-active and trying to make the experience as positive as possible for spectators. But I guess anytime you mix people and beer, you’re going to get some drunken craziness.
As an aside, kudos to the Lions’ public address announcer, who actually told the fans to stop doing the wave while the Lions were on offence and to save the noise for when Calgary had the ball. I hope the fans get it right for the big Western Final in 2 weeks.
For every silly fan or for every bandwagon jumper, there are plenty of good fans. I have become good friends with one such fan over the past couple of months. His name is Matt Hawkins, and he has his own video production company called Emerging Productions. I met him at the Campusfire youth rally I spoke at last month. Matt is a fellow winner in last year’s Ultimate Canucks Search.
Coincidentally, I met Matt for lunch on Friday, the day between the Canucks and Lions games. I was running a bit late, so when I called him to notify him, he asked if he could order ahead for me. I said sure. He then asked me if I liked meat. Again, I replied affirmatively. Two minutes after arriving, the waitress brought to me the biggest burger I've ever seen. It was so big that I didn't even know how to tackle it. After a few minutes of hopelessly trying to bite into it, I ended up carving it up with my knife. And I could only finish half of it! We had a great time, sharing stories about the contest, the Canucks, and ministry. Check out Matt’s hockey blog here. You won’t be disappointed.
So the next time you’re watching your favourite team, whether live or on tv, remember what it means to be a fan. Passion. Knowledge. Loyalty. That means you sticking with your team through thick and thin.
That’s how you be a fan and not a fool.
posted by Clay at 1:36 AM
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