When Is a Sports Crowd Out of Control?
Last week I wrote about the Australian Open crowd and how they were getting a little bit crazy. Personally I don't mind it as it shows there a growing passion for tennis but I understand that there is a limit to what is acceptable fan behaviour.
I don't think you can dispute the entertainment factor of the tournament. I mean ... yes, the crowd got a bit out of control at times and I don't agree with yelling out on a players ball toss before a serve. All in all, it was a positive for the sport. If you thought the Australian Open crowd was bad, crowd behaviour in other sports makes the Aussie Open crowd look like a bunch of choir school kids before class.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1483387477851361287
Let's take NBA fans as an example. It's actually laughable the level of disrespect that fans can have. Steve Nash was drafted by the Phoenix Suns 15th overall in 1996. Suns fans booed the selection. Idiots. He became an 8-time All-Star and 2-time MVP.
In 2015 Knicks fans booed their selection of Kristaps Porzingis. He became an All-Star and no other power forward on the board has earned that right. Knicks fans have a history of booing during the draft. They also booed Steph Curry, disappointed that the Warriors drafted him before the Knicks could in 2009. The poor Knicks can't win anything and we now all know what New York missed out on.
If you thought the battle between Daniil Medvedev and the "disrespectful" crowd at the Australian Open was bad, take a look at footage from the "Malice at the Palace" during a Pistons-Pacers NBA game. Fans and players literally brawled with each other and as a fan of sports, it is quite literally shocking. So much so, it's age restricted on YouTube.
NFL fans can get out of control, again, in a manner which is almost laughable. In 2014, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel went down with an injury, Carolina Panthers fans then cheering loudly.
Earlier on that same year 49ers linebacker Navorro Bowman suffered a horrific broken leg injury in the NFC Championship game. He then had popcorn thrown on him from the crowd when he was being carted off.
In the MLB, Atlanta Braves fans didn't like a call against the St Louis Cardinals in 2012. Fans were so angry, fans threw rubbish onto the field. I mean, can you blame them? It was a horrible call by the umpires and the fans were just being passionate. Right?
Late last year I wrote a four part series on the biggest hooligan clubs in English football. Football (soccer) fans take the cake when it comes to sports crowds out of control. Crowd behaviour often has led to physical violence between opposing fans and has even led to deaths.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |
There's a line as to what is acceptable fan behaviour and what is out of control. Deep down it all comes from a passion that fans have for their team. There are mixed opinions whether the Australian Open crowd was out of control. The truth is, it's mild when compared to fan behaviour in other sports, but passion isn't a bad thing, so long as it doesn't cross the line.
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
I watched the Australia open final, I felt bad for Medvedev. I have always been a fan of Rafa and I wanted the "21" for him and was rooting for him. However, Along the way, I had really soft spot for the Russian. He couldn't help but insult the fans, it was too much for him.
Fans play these role in a twisted manner, For example, Barty A enjoyed the whole crowd and it felt all like a sweet movie! Same way Monfils did.
You're totally right, it happens everywhere. I knew of the Steve nash story....
You didn't add my king story? How my lebron was treated by Cleveland in 2010. Or how my arsenal's bukayo saka received death threats after missing penalty for England. Yeah, there just so many incidents... Just like Medvedev told the umpire, "you have to keep telling them to stop!" maybe some public information to fine people that are taking these things to the extreme!
I just feel, The same way people cry over a loss, or get excited over a great win. That's the same way people rage over sports.
Thanks for sharing these posts regularly!
They are really fun to read and really filled with history!
Can you believe i didn't know the Kristaps Porzingis story? I actually thought he was supported from day 1.
I love Monfils, and Barty is the darling of Australia right now. She's humble and really epitomises the Australian spirit. She's also part First Nation which is great to see.
You're so right about LeBron. Perhaps how they treated him when he won the city of Cleveland’s first championship in 52 years now burys how he was treated then. May have been a different legacy if he couldn't deliver that.
The Saka racism was disgusting. Did not like that at all. It reminds me of the abuse Balotelli cops. Italian only when winning, then when he's not, he's not considered Italian.
Thanks for your reply! My pleasure in writing especially when I hear it gives fulfilment to others.
It amazing how crowds are the best and the worst thing about football. Things can get really ugly with them.
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I wonder if Porzingis ever said a word about those fans giving him a thumbs down after he was drafted.