Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 10, 2014
Letters to the Editor
A recent experience at a Winnipeg Jets game leads me to believe fans could use a course on respect in sport.
My 11-year-old son idolizes John Tavares. He was disappointed he wouldn't have the opportunity to see Tavares play on March 4 against the Jets, but proudly wore his #91 jersey to the game.
Upon entering the arena there was some teasing for wearing the "wrong colours," but it was good-natured and fun, and my son took it all in stride.
The tone changed when the Jets lost to the Islanders -- my son became a target. As we tried to make our way through the crowds, there were taunts and even profanity. My son, the great little sportsman that he is, kept walking and ignored the jeers -- until a man ran up to him and shouted in his face "Boo! You suck! Go home, loser!"
The night ended with me leading my crying son out of the arena with a treasured jersey balled up in his hands.
Minor hockey has received a lot of attention regarding the behaviour of spectators and fans. Is anyone looking at the big leagues? This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and shouldn't be tolerated in any arena, big or small.
SUE LOTOCKI
Winnipeg
Post your comments below. Some questions to consider include:
- Do you agree that there is a problem here? What can we do to address issues like these?
- Have you witnessed examples of this behaviour?
- How can we be 'fueled by passion' but ensure that our passion doesn't go too far?
- How might a parent deal with a situation like this?
- What do you think when you hear news like this?
28 comments:
I agree that there is a problem because, that was a 11 year old boy. Having so many people yell at you would be quite hurtful. Especially the fact that the man yelled "Boo! You suck! Go home, loser!" Right in the child's face. I don't know exactly if there could be a solution, but people should just use some decency. That's my perspective on it.
It would have been fine if it was just playful teasing. But it is not right for someone to go up to a little boy or anyone and yell at them for wearing the wrong jersey. People are always going to be mad if there team doesn't win but doesn't mean you should go hurt someone's feelings.
I think the parent did the right thing to not get to angry to anyone and walk her child out of the arena. However, the fans that make comments like this should be talked to by security or removed. All the kid wanted to do was watch a hockey game, not get hateful comments. All fans should have respect for each other no matter what team they are cheering for, and the adult in the situation should not be picking on an 11 year old for wearing a different jersey.
I think this is an issue and if people are harassing people for wearing there teams jersey. People need to learn to not get up set and then show their feelings by yelling at the other teams fans. These people need to learn sportsmanship just like any houngan athlete has to.
Surely, making fun of people wearing the opposing jersey is a nature of the game, it happened to me in Denver, but this situation clearly got out of hand. Who would go up to a little 11 year old and yell in his face? It reminds me of when my cousin wore her Canadiens jersey in Boston and the Bruins fans told her that she was a frog and that she needed to go cook her pea soup (both of which are slurs to French Canadians). So is making fun of another person's team okay? Absolutely, but I think that this man went too far.
At the beginning of the article, the author described the teasing as fun, and harmless. But at the end of the article, the mood had changed. People are taking the teasing to a new level. Especially making those kinds of rude comments to a child. This kind of behaviour should not be tolerated. We as fans, need to take control, and show that this kind of teasing is not okay.
I agree with what she is trying to say is that no matter what team you like, for example the Tornto Maple Leafs and you go to a Jets game, just because you wear a Leafs jersey and cheer them on doesn't make you a bad person, some people have there likes and dislikes in things. So it doesn't give people the athority to make fun of/ judge people on what they like.
This behaviour is unacceptable coming from adults... If you see a boy representing his favourite team at a game and his team wins you don't yell at him. You should congratulate him for his team winning. I've seen this happen at a bombers game when a old man was yelling at the people beside me.
I agree that this is a peoblem, yes, some people get to in to the game, but I believe that three will always be people like this. I also believe that the man has to remember that he is just a kid going to a hockey game and cheering for his team. Now, what could have been a great memory that 11 year old boy will always remember how he walked out of there crying.
I agree with the mother its wrong that a grown man would go up to a 11 year and say "go home, you suck, loser" to an 11 year old just because the jets lost. You don't do that to a kid. That kid had a good time at the game then probably a drunk fan goes and yells at the kid
Honestly, I think that is kind of sad. This kid is only 11 years old and people are yelling at him like that? I understand if maybe you're an adult and you could actually stick up for yourself but yelling at this little boy who is wearing his favourite jersey just isn't right. I was at the banjo bowl this year and there was lots of people making jokes about either our team or Saskatchewan but, I've never seen them yell at kids.
I belive that there is a problem, if a person wants to cheer for any other team that's not there home team they can there is not law saying that you can't do it, it just a person opinion. People should be able to express what team they like and not have people yelling at them.
I think that the parent was very good in doing this blog, but it shouldn't be nessacary, it should be baned. Games like these should be about sportsmanship, not bullying and teasing.
I think that the guy that called the boy a loser for his favourite team losing in wrong. That guy needs to grow up a little. People need to calm down over sports. It's just a game. I seen a drunk guy dumped beer on a hockey players head on the news. @Oriontheveggie
I think that it just shows how much class hockey fans have. It's good to cheer and be excited when the home team wins, but really? Your picking on and 11 year old kid. There's not a sign on the door saying 'no away team jerseys,' there's not a sign saying, 'no cheering for the away team.' So I don't see the reason why the kid couldn't wear an Isanders jersey. People are taking the Jets loss in a bad way. I'm sure if Andrew Ladd saw this he would be disgusted. If this is happening because the Jets lost a league game, what's going to happen when the make it to a playoff game or even the Stanley cup final? Are we going to be the next Vancouver riot? The fan that did this to the little kid is pathetic. It's time to grow up and be mature.
I think when people act like this, it should not be tolerated. Someone may one day have to remove people from the stadium if this continues, like police handle criminals and kick them out of the building to prevent further issues from happening.
I think that this kind of behaviour should not be accepted at any kind of sports game. It just proves how rude people can be when they are sober what happens if they are drunk,they might harm you, so to fix this issue I think that there needs to be security guards walking around the stadium or arena so that way if you need help there will be people to help you. I myself have been questioned by border security when I was crossing into the states because I was wearing a Toronto blue jays hat and the border guard didn't like that team so he asked if I did any thing illegal because of my hat and he then continued to tell me that I needed to get a different hat
I think the problem should be taken care of right away because of the bullying going on. People sould grow up and start acting like adults. This is a very big problem ever where.
I am anonymous
I agree that this is a problem that a man ran up to the kid and started yelling at him. They should of pulled him out of the arena and that he is not allowed back to the stadium. I think you did the right thing pulling him and taking him out of the arena so know one could yell at him again.
I agree with the problem that the author has brought up. I have been to many Jets games and there are always a few fans that are cheering for the opposing team. You should have the right to wear any jersey you want to. No one should make fun of you are criticize you. You payed for that ticket, you can wear what ever you want.
I have only witnessed "playful" joking around to your friends. I have never seen someone go up to someone and tell them they're a loser for cheering for a different team. That is wrong.
When people do things like this in good nature, than it's fine. But if a grown man runs up into a child's face and says he sucks, what would you do? Would you defend him? Would you do anything? Where was the security during all this? The game finishes, but the security are still needed! The fans in Winnipeg love the Jets, but screaming to a kid is crossing the line.
I remember when my brother used to play hockey there where some very mean comments said to not only the players but referees to. My brother doesn't play anymore because of these comments. I think that you can say these things jokingly but add a compliment "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all."~Jacqui Rivait and remember these guys just a little kid don't make someone lose there passion because you can't contain what you say.
I have experienced an iusse like this when I wore a Calgary flames jersey to the jets game which Calgary won and this random guy walked up to me and said words that should of been said and after the game I found the guy and rubbed the jersey in my face.
See the Sun's follow up article here: http://m.winnipegsun.com/2014/03/10/jets-fans-go-too-far-with-abuse-of-11-year-old-in-tavares-jersey
See the Sun's follow up article here: http://m.winnipegsun.com/2014/03/10/jets-fans-go-too-far-with-abuse-of-11-year-old-in-tavares-jersey
Yes there is a problem here a little 11 year old boy is getting teased but grow adults. They're probably twice his size and scary to him. A way to address this is the security could have done something about this and made these people stop teasing the boy. I haven't witnessed a adults pick on a little boy because of the hockey team he likes. I also think the parent of the boy dealer with the situation okay she got the kid out of there before it got to bad. When I hear things like this happen I think it's ridiculous anyone would even think about hurting the little kid.
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