Booing...where does fandom come into play?

[Pats726]

I'm not advocating booing one's own team. But ....

I think you are saying it is OK...Why?? How is booing supporting the team in any way?? Isn't that what a fan is???

 

[the taildragger]

that team was not prepared to play. you don't boo the players for that. they aren't losers, they hate to lose.

miami threw the kitchen sink at them. it was their super bowl. every year the fins target this game and put all their chips on the table.

THIS WAS NOT A LACK OF EFFORT. your team was not going through the motions out there, they were legitimately taken to school and outplayed.

this is the nfl. it happens.

if you call yourself a fan, you do not boo your team unless they just aren't fighting or putting up the effort.

regardless of the result of the game. or the traffic situation. or the price you paid for the tickets. or whatever constitutional rights you believe you have to embarrass yourself and be a jackass.

the ticket prices are high because everyone jumped on the bandwagon when they started to win....now it looks like a lot of them are just as quick to jump off. the players are out there taking a beating and we blame them for noticing when we file for the exits. it's the jerry callahan mentality....and it's giving boston fans a bad name.

 

[WhoaDirty]

From all the threads about this....this statement seems to sum it all up.

Booing happens....its has a negative effect on everything. It has had a HUGE effect on this board for the past few days.

So lets just all say what happened on Sunday happened. Its in the past now. Lets try to look forward to the next game.

Agreed. It is obvious that there is disagreement over this topic on the board. People have strong opinions both ways and most won't change their mind. Hopefully we don't have to have another 18 threads on this topic.

The SF game can't get here fast enough ...

 

[NJPatsfan26]

Agreed. It is obvious that there is disagreement over this topic on the board. People have strong opinions both ways and most won't change their mind. Hopefully we don't have to have another 18 threads on this topic.

The SF game can't get here fast enough ...

Indeed. Its going to be a rough 10 more days on here....

 

[CheerforTom]

Agreed. It is obvious that there is disagreement over this topic on the board. People have strong opinions both ways and most won't change their mind. Hopefully we don't have to have another 18 threads on this topic.

The SF game can't get here fast enough ...

The problem isn't the disagreement, the problem is that one side openly calls the other fairweather bandwagon scumbags. On a board where literally everyone is extremely passionate about the Patriots, it's not hard to see why this would cause such an explosion.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

The problem isn't the disagreement, the problem is that one side openly calls the other fairweather bandwagon scumbags. On a board where literally everyone is extremely passionate about the Patriots, it's not hard to see why this would cause such an explosion.

It is not hard to see why this would cause such a ripple thru the masses on here. This is a very touchy subject that unfortunately has effected a lot of fans.

 

[PatsFan24]

I can go either way on this one. I understand being at the game and watching the home team get smashed by a team that had only won win last year and booing because of how bad the loss was. at the same time though I can understand why someone would not think it is right to boo because the team has done so well for so long and having a bad day is going to happen. i did not go to the game but i do not think i would have booed. i found it impossible to boo adam in 2003 when he was having an off year because of all the things he did for the pats. he did not get booed once between 02-05 by a patriots fan. i do remember the fans booing the team off the field at the half when they opened the season against the bills in 2006 and thought that was a bit harsh. that was a game they won!

 

[Pats726]

The problem isn't the disagreement, the problem is that one side openly calls the other fairweather bandwagon scumbags. On a board where literally everyone is extremely passionate about the Patriots, it's not hard to see why this would cause such an explosion.

I guess that one side doesn't understand how one can be so passionate about a team...a fan and boo...I think that is what it in some way is te bottom line... What is a fan and if one is so passionate about a team?? How does booing in ANY way support that team?? A Jets fan would boo the team..a Steelers fan?? And a Pats fan?? I think THAT is what is hard to understand..Bring a fan and booing...

 

[Pats726]

that team was not prepared to play. you don't boo the players for that. they aren't losers, they hate to lose.

miami threw the kitchen sink at them. it was their super bowl. every year the fins target this game and put all their chips on the table.

THIS WAS NOT A LACK OF EFFORT. your team was not going through the motions out there, they were legitimately taken to school and outplayed.

this is the nfl. it happens.

if you call yourself a fan, you do not boo your team unless they just aren't fighting or putting up the effort.

regardless of the result of the game. or the traffic situation. or the price you paid for the tickets. or whatever constitutional rights you believe you have to embarrass yourself and be a jackass.

the ticket prices are high because everyone jumped on the bandwagon when they started to win....now it looks like a lot of them are just as quick to jump off. the players are out there taking a beating and we blame them for noticing when we file for the exits. it's the jerry callahan mentality....and it's giving boston fans a bad name.

you said it..."if you call yourself a fan, you do not boo your team unless they just aren't fighting or putting up the effort."....now MANY mat say that they were not fighting..not putting up an effort..so therefore they have an excuse.. teams have off days..off years..and what does it mean to be a fan...to ME that is the question..it doesn't mean not being critical..that is for sure...but being a fan to me means supporting that team..How does booing support that team? That o me is the crux of the issue..being a fan and booing...it seems close to an oxymoron type of situation. And a question that I think is hard to answer...

 

[Pats726]

There are all kinds of Pats fans from booers to non-booers and suit wearers to yahooers. There are snow boarders to computer geeks and health nuts to Wendys freaks. Some fans are so emotionally wrapped up in this team that not being here everyday is unacceptable. They wear their hearts on their sleeves while others with the same commitment wear their words on theirs. For some fans the Pats may be a second or third pastime with something like fishing being the main squeeze. There are young people that were born into this success story and others that became fans when the success became apparent. This doesn't make them some kind of hideous person. In fact if this team didn't garner any new fans due to it's success, we'd have to put up with things like blackouts and NFL handouts from other teams. Success breeds full stadiums while a lack thereof breeds empty seats.

From my point of view, if you want to boo, that's cool. If you don't want to, that's fine to. In the end we're all Patriots fans and that bond in itself should supersede everything else.

I think my question on this is the mentality of being a fan of a team and booing..a bit of a schizoprenia there?? If one is a fan and supports the team..how is booing supporting the team?? Is this more an emotinal lobe hate dynamic??

 

[Pats726]

I'm with you. When you're part of a 60,000 strong crowd on elevated ground drinking beer, you have no excuse not to be brave. Let those ****ers have it!

That's being a fan?? That is funny...

 

[Pats726]

No offense - but REALLY?

People are really wondering why fans would boo a team that was playing as far below their ability as they've ever played?

So if you can't boo the worst loss in a decade, when CAN you boo?

I was not aware of the memo about how many games one must suspend booing for following a winning streak. If one was inclined to boo (and I did not on Sunday - though I was clinically in shock) - when would it be OK for one to boo again if the Patriots play as far below their ability as they did on Sunday?

Does one have to wait two games? 3? 30?

I've been to games in recent years - yes, following THREE Super Bowl Championships - where the fans booed poor play and often the players seemed to hear it, manned up, and came back out after halftime pumped to win and in fact did so. I was at a Chargers game the year after they won their third Super Bowl and people booed.

I can't recall any politically correct chiding of fans for booing back then. What changed?

So apparently it was OK to boo back then because no one made a big deal about it (unless their so fickle as to think its ok because they won that game). When did that change?

Explain how booing in any way supports the team?

 

[Pats726]

I'm not advocating booing one's own team..

Then...what ARE you saying then??? Seems like that is what you are saying..OR that it is OK to do..no?????

But if it upsets you so much, maybe you could make a list of things that, in your opinion, winning 21 straight RS games gives the players a pass to do or not do. Maybe lying down just a little bit during a game? Not even showing up to the stadium on time b/c they've earned it? Taking every other quarter off? BB gets to go golfing instead of working the week of the Miami game because of what he's given us?
Or maybe you could come up with some kind of a scale for how poorly the team gets to perform (no booing allowed) in relation to how successful they've been in the past.
I'm fine if you feel like they deserve a mulligan or "one bad day at the office." Or that booing is classless based on what's been achieved in the past. That's your opinion.

And what is your opinion?? I guess booing is all FINE part of the game...yes??

 

[Pats726]

Basically I think there's clearly two kinds of fans - those that think they can tell other fans when its politically correct to boo and not to boo, and those who think good fans can still do whatever the hell they want to.

Count me among the latter.

You can act ANY WAY you wish...but where does your fandom come into play by booing?? How does that in any way support the team? If there were any Miami fans there, they'd be booing the Patriots right? and so when Patriot fans booed they be doing the same as them..booing the Patriots?? It's not at all anything to do with political correctness..it has to do with how one wishes to be perceived. "fans" doing anything the hell they want to...yes...they can, but I think it calls into question the word "fan"...

 

[Frezo]

I think my question on this is the mentality of being a fan of a team and booing..a bit of a schizoprenia there?? If one is a fan and supports the team..how is booing supporting the team?? Is this more an emotinal lobe hate dynamic??

It's a reasonable question. If people are going to give the team a Mulligan for their performance though, isn't it alright to give the fans one too? The beating the team took and the booing are both pretty rare.

 

[Pats726]

It's a reasonable question. If people are going to give the team a Mulligan for their performance though, isn't it alright to give the fans one too? The beating the team took and the booing are both pretty rare.

I agree on one hand..but I think it brings up larger issues of what a fan of a team really is. How is booing at all supportive for a team? And there is no question people HAVE the right to do that if they wish. But what does that say about them as "fans"? I ask questions becuase I don't understand how the two really go together. And unfortunately, I really think this issue will not go away so easily. Brady is out..there WERE high expectations before the season and now that has all changed. "Fans" who have had only sunny weather are experiencing some rain and storm..and unfortunately not fairing all that well.

 

[Ryan]

I guess if you paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, you have the right to boo. But personally, I think booing is something that should be saved for when your team really deserves it; like after a few weeks of losses or poor play. The Patriots have been so good for so long that I don't think they deserved to be booed during 1 bad game. Really, it was the first regular season loss in nearly 20-something months and the boo-birds are already out? Seems too quick to me.

 

[Nunchucks]

I guess if you paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, you have the right to boo. But personally, I think booing is something that should be saved for when your team really deserves it; like after a few weeks of losses or poor play. The Patriots have been so good for so long that I don't think they deserved to be booed during 1 bad game. Really, it was the first regular season loss in nearly 20-something months and the boo-birds are already out? Seems too quick to me.

Like when they fail to show up for a game, play like absolute trash and make you feel sorry for all the people who paid money to see the game.

 

[WhoaDirty]

You can act ANY WAY you wish...but where does your fandom come into play by booing?? How does that in any way support the team? If there were any Miami fans there, they'd be booing the Patriots right? and so when Patriot fans booed they be doing the same as them..booing the Patriots?? It's not at all anything to do with political correctness..it has to do with how one wishes to be perceived. "fans" doing anything the hell they want to...yes...they can, but I think it calls into question the word "fan"...

I would say that if someone is booing their team they are either: a) not really a fan and got corporate tickets or something like that, or b) a fan is is really passionate about the team and wants to voice their frustration with the team's poor play. In either case, the team is not really being supported per se, but at least with b) there is an honest reaction. I mean, how else can someone get negative feedback to the team?

 

[Tunescribe]

Explain how booing in any way supports the team?

It doesn't, and that's where the argument ends. Booing is an ignorant, selfish reaction to disappointment, with no regard for the reality of what's going on. Anyone who's played the game or talked to those who have understands this.

I mean, how else can someone get negative feedback to the team?

This made me laugh. So, registering your displeasure by booing makes a difference in the team's performance? Please explain how. Beyond that, you can quit going to the games. Or you could write a letter to the Krafts and Belichick explaining how disappointed you are at poor play. I'm sure it would be a revelation to them.