PSA: Booing is NOT okay

Submitted by LebronJames on

 

https://twitter.com/grant_newsome/status/906620103525101568

Hearing the Michigan 'faithful' boo today made me sick. Completely disappointed in that display of 'fandom'.

Expressing yourself by rolling your lips in just before forcing out your foul breath is not okay. If you are not willing to cheer and encourage your team on while they are not performing up to expectations, don't buy a ticket or go to the game. Just because you spend money on entertainment does not entitle you to act that way.

If you want someone to succeed, do you boo them to or do you encourage them to push through and persevere? People forget these are impressionable young men who hear that and are affected by it. Yes, they need to be able to play through adversity. Do you really want to be the cause of that? These players want to hear you cheering loud and proud. Do it.

The masses need to know this is not okay. Don't let anyone in your section get away with this without ridicule. This needs to stop now.

 

 

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Football

Blue Durham

September 9th, 2017 at 5:47 PM ^

Fans having expectations, buying tickets and being dissatisfied with the product on the field is better than needing "retail activations" to get only 70K show up. Michigan is only able to sell 110,000 tickets because of the high expectations of the team. This was undeniably apparent at the end of the Hoke era. Any product that doesn't live up to the consumer's expectations will have dissatisfied customers. College football is no different. These "kids" aren't 12 and admission isn't free. This isn't Pop Warner.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 6082

Blue Durham

September 9th, 2017 at 5:59 PM ^

How a team wins a game is an indication of its quality. The opponent also matters; 36-14 against OSU is a little different from 36-14 against a really bad Cincinnati team. Both points are obvious and I'm sure you are aware. People pay significant money and aren't satisfied, they are entitled to voice their displeasure.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 6082

jakerblue

September 9th, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^

Wow, I can't believe you are getting so much flak. I would think that most people here would agree that booing the team is not cool. Especially in a game they never trailed. Definitely sloppy play, but they are still young men representing the university that you supposedly care about. Not to mention that there might be recruits at the game, I'm sure that doesn't leave a good impression.

Joined: 10/09/2015

MGoPoints: 3645

slimj091

September 9th, 2017 at 5:49 PM ^

In all honesty I think the severe downward thrust of the 2013 season that started with close (probably shouldn't have been) wins against Akron and UConn is still fresh in a lot of peoples minds. Mistakes and sloppy play was all over the field today with some exceptions. Luckily those exceptions, and some equally sloppy play by Cincy gave us the win by a 22 point margin.

A win is a win, but I am no longer beaming with the same optimisim that I was by this time last week. As far as the booing I kind of agree. My grandfather (who was a life long Ohio State fan) always told me "If you can't get on the field and do better than the players you are booing at then sit down and shut your mouth".

Joined: 01/04/2014

MGoPoints: 9542

Glen Masons Hot Wife

September 9th, 2017 at 5:49 PM ^

theyre big boys they can handle it. Offense is well aware it needs to step up i'm sure. That shit aint gonna fly when big ten season roles around. I personally probably wouldnt have booed, but it doesn't really bother me that other fans are letting it be heard they're not happy with the offense... been an issue since late last year.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 3685

nappa18

September 9th, 2017 at 5:51 PM ^

The post is ok. After all, "student athletes" as they say, giving up their time and bodies for others entertainment should not be booed. But, on the other hand, big time athletes on free rides playing in front of 111,000 with ABC and others paying hundreds of millions to televise the games should expect some level of "displeasure". A tough call.

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 2762

MileHighWolverine

September 9th, 2017 at 7:31 PM ^

It is a tough call but I think of three things:

1. If effort isn't there, boo-ing seems like less of an issue

2. The benefits these guys get, combined with the price we have to pay, should allow for some vocalization of displeasure every once in a while so long as it's not out of control.

3. The coaches are fair game - we should be allowed to boo them as often and as vociferously as we like. 

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 7749

Tedbossman

September 9th, 2017 at 5:54 PM ^

How quickly we've forgotten where we were this last decade. If you booed this team today you're an extreme dumbass and shortsighted. Turn in your fan card and fuck off.

Joined: 01/07/2014

MGoPoints: 1909

killerseafood3

September 9th, 2017 at 6:06 PM ^

I'm not a fan of it myself, but don't be a homer. Paying fans can share their thoughts, both good and bad. Fans were hyped up for the home opener and apparently some didn't like UM struggling to win against a inferior team.

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 32977

Tedbossman

September 9th, 2017 at 6:12 PM ^

To booing a top 10 team in the country, likely our 2nd best since '06 other than your feeling emotional like a bunch of little fucking girls because the offense is out of sorts in our 2nd game of the season with a bunch of new starters I'd like to here it. This isn't defense. This just read/react/attack. There's a ton of nuance to all aspects of offense. You clowns couldn't differentiate the blocking of an inside from outside zone, a trap from an Iso, yet your some authority because your feelings are hurt? Fuck outta here.

Joined: 01/07/2014

MGoPoints: 1909

Tedbossman

September 9th, 2017 at 6:34 PM ^

Oh these 18-22 year olds who spend 40-50 hours a week on football, who sacrifice any semblance of free time, get worked like dogs while making millions for the university, only to be completely exploited getting paid nothing need to know that *I* dont approve of their performance! (crosses arms and stops foot). I'd say I'll be waiting for a logical defense of it, but it doesn't exist.

Joined: 01/07/2014

MGoPoints: 1909

Eastside Maize

September 9th, 2017 at 5:56 PM ^

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (inhale) OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Joined: 06/09/2013

MGoPoints: 48220

Blue from Ohio

September 9th, 2017 at 5:56 PM ^

IDK, I think people in attendance are entitled to their opinions.  Yes, is it ideal to boo, whether directly or indirectly at young men, no.  But in the same right, I believe people in general work hard for family and career wise and use sports as one of their outlets, so when they feel the team isn't performing well, whether it be coaches or players, they should be able to express their opinions.  If it's a requisite that you can only go to a sporting event if you cheer for your team no matter what, I don't know that many people would bother going to games.

Joined: 08/30/2013

MGoPoints: 769

trappedinohio

September 9th, 2017 at 5:57 PM ^

Thanks for the morality lesson, Father. Posts like these give Michigan fans a bad name. This team absolutely deserves criticism after that performance today. Handing out life lessons from your moral high horse because you think someones feelings might be hurt is just stupid. Should we have cheered for UC after the game because they might be sad that they lost?

Joined: 09/09/2017

MGoPoints: 1018

Maynard

September 9th, 2017 at 6:00 PM ^

Feel better? Get your full lecture out. Get all that whine out of your system. Because even though I wasn't at the game and I am not one who boos I'm pretty sure the fanbase doesn't give a rats ass whether you think it's okay to boo or not. 

And while we all like Newsome and the rest of the guys, there's a whole lot of people who don't think it's our job to worry about the fragility of each's mental state from being booed. Don't like getting booed? Don't play unfocused, uninspired ball. And if you can't uphold those couple things, fucking transfer. Because this university has been around before you came along and will be here when you're gone.

Never a good idea to take on the fans, whether right or not.

 

Joined: 02/19/2016

MGoPoints: 9888

JWG Wolverine

September 9th, 2017 at 6:11 PM ^

I was not at this game, so I can't specifically judge the fans and their booing today. What I can tell you though is my opinion in general on this topic: I think there is a time and place for some booing of your own team. It is a group of RARE situations, but it happens, and it did happen today. First and foremost, the majority of booing should be towards the refs, and the other team (only when a rival and appropriate) Then, sometimes booing in the direction of the coaches to let them know you don't agree with their poor decisions is acceptable to me. They are adults making millions at this position as a job. They can handle it. Lastly, and most rarely you should boo the team on the field ONLY due to a LACK OF EFFORT. Any other reason behind booing them is unacceptable, you should always cheer and encourage your team. But like today, when they are clearly out of it and not playing as hard as they CAN, it makes sense to boo a little bit to alert them that you are not satisfied with anything less than 100% out of these guys.

Joined: 01/07/2017

MGoPoints: 28434