Extra Points

Jerry Brewer explains the thinking behind his columns and invites readers to express their views on the sports world.

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November 26, 2008 11:02 AM

Life could be worse: Notre Dame fans pelt their team with snow

So the Huskies are primed to go 0-12, huh?

So the Seahawks are 2-9 and trying not to make a turkey of themselves on Thanksgiving Day, huh?

And you think that's as low as it can get?

Well, check this out. Notre Dame played so poorly in its home loss to Syracuse last Saturday that fans threw snow at the team. Here is an excerpt:

Fans at first threw snow in the air, but then quickly switched to tossing snowballs toward the Notre Dame sideline. Defensive lineman Ian Williams got hit in the helmet, defensive end Ethan Johnson was struck on the left cheek and a St. Joseph County police officer on the sideline looking into the crowd got hit in the chest. An NBC camera man also was a frequent target and several snowballs reached the field, although none landed near where play was occurring.

I poked fun at the Cougars fans who stormed the field after beating the winless Huskies, but you know what? I'll take that kind of exuberance over turning against your team any day.

Being upset over a bad performance doesn't give a fan the right to turn into an idiot. I have no problem with booing, but Irish fans are supposed to be better than maniacs who hurl objects at unsuspecting people.

Yeah, yeah, I know: A tiny percentage of the crowd -- a few bad apples among thousands -- participated. But that's enough to damage the reputation of the whole.

So, now I can appreciate the excitement of Washington State fans who got lost in the joy of a thrilling comeback victory -- regardless of their team's record or the opponent's record. I still chuckle a little at the thought, but I respect their passion.

And I leave bereaved Seattle sports fans with my weekly reminder: Life could be worse.

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Comments

Fans turn to fanatics quite often. It is truly a shame. (See Oregon Ducks). But why would you poke fun at the Cougars for celebrating an Apple... Posted on November 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM by GrumpyShoe. Jump to comment

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