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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Thursday, March 28, 2024

Postgame Press: Boo to booing

david-1

Two weeks ago, the Philadelphia Eagles took the field for the first time since they won their first Super Bowl ever. In the first half, they had 68 yards of offense and 66 penalty yards. The team kneeled to end the half and headed into the locker rooms. That is when the fans started booing.

My immediate thought was simply: “What?” This team just won the city’s first Super Bowl by beating the Patriots, an NFL dynasty, and beating one of the most impressive quarterback performances ever by Tom Brady. 30 on-field minutes later, the fans were shouting “Boo.”

I have mixed feelings about booing. Part of me wants to hate it no matter what, but I cannot say that. I can honestly say I love when a 'villain' gets their name called by the announcer and the crowd boos. It adds another layer of competition to the game. You have to show the opponent that you, the fanbase, are going to do whatever you can to stop them from performing at their best level. I love booing an opponent just like I love that guy yelling absurd insults from the stands.

Booing your opponent is one thing. Booing your own team is another. I believe that you should never boo your own team. I have seen pitchers booed after poor performances and entire teams booed during blowout losses. I do not get it. Booing gets in players' heads. A player or team trying their best, no matter how horribly they are actually playing, does not need the extra stress of having their own fans turn against them. I do not have much experience with this specific scenario, but I can imagine that if I was taking a test and it was not going well, the last thing I would want is for those who I thought were rooting for me to suddenly turn against me and tell me that I am terrible.

For me, what it really comes down to is that these players are your players. I consider myself a part of every team I cheer for. I get made fun of endlessly for this, but I say “we” when speaking about the Cubs, Rutgers, etc. It would be pretty crazy if a guy on the bench of the team got up and started booing his own teammates. I am certainly not as on-the-team as that bench player, but as an extension of the team, I want my team to do the best that they can. Booing them does not help.

Next time you think about booing your favorite team, perhaps consider going with another, more positive phrase. Instead of “boo,” say “Let’s go ____.” If you would like, you can even go with a less-than-clever pun about one of the players. That is my favorite by far. Whatever you do, try to give the team, your team, positive energy instead of negative energy. It might pay off.