Denim Millward
Sports Editor
Here at “The Bengal,” we try to only write about issues relevant to Idaho State University. However, in the past few weeks, the sports world has been inundated with stories of poorly behaved fans and players, and subsequently disappointing reactions to those stories.
I felt compelled to touch on the subject in this issue.
Though the subject of sportsmanship isn’t exclusive to our campus, it’s just as relevant to us as to the rest of the world.
On Friday, Feb. 9, Oklahoma State basketball player Marcus Smart exchanged words with a Texas Tech fan and proceeded to shove the fan, creating a media frenzy and giving media outlets plenty of fodder for the foreseeable future.
At some point, Smart claimed the fan used a racial slur, and some media outlets have reported the fan called Smart a “piece of crap.”
Smart was suspended three games, the fan voluntarily agreed to not attend any more Texas Tech games this year, and the rest of the world is left to wonder what really happened.
Meanwhile, in the world of the NFL, the Wells Report was recently released.
This report spelled out the verbal abuse, harassment and bullying Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin was subjected to by teammate Richie Incognito and others.
The intent of the Wells Report was to simply uncover the truthfulness of the allegations made by Martin against his teammates and the Dolphins organization.
However, it did more than that.
The report pulled back the curtain on so-called “locker room culture” and exposed us to the ugly truth that sports are still rife with borderline barbaric behaviors that many feel is justified within the arena of athletic competition.
It continues to astound, frustrate and sadden me that such behavior, by both players and fans, is not only tolerated but often encouraged in sports.
The popularity and financial health of athletes, teams and organizations seems to have given those involved with athletics a sort of immunity to being expected to act in a morally and socially responsible way.
Players feel invincible because of their elevated status, and fans feel they have the right to act with impunity towards athletes who, in many cases, have achieved such a level of notoriety that we as fans don’t even really think of them as fellow human beings with feelings and dignity anymore.
I’ve seen plenty of interactions between fans and opposing players here at ISU that, while not nearly as reprehensible as either of the aforementioned incidents, nevertheless made me cringe.
It seems there is a small group of fans who make it their goal to single out an opposing player or coach and relentlessly razz, jeer at and insult them until the victim finally snaps and responds in a negative manner.
Sadly, these fans have succeeded multiple times, inciting such reactions as profane and lewd gestures and choice words.
While I understand the desire of fans to positively affect the outcome of a game in favor of the home team, we have to draw the line between supporting the Bengals and poorly representing our school.
It is my sincere hope that, as Idaho State athletes and fans, we can buck the trend of abuse, harassment and disrespect in the realm of sports and return some semblance of sportsmanship and civility to Idaho State athletics.
Now it’s up to all of you.
