NBA players like Russell Westbrook have shared grievances about abuse they receive at the hands of fans at games. Fans dump popcorn, drinks, and all manner of food on them.
Most recently, Westbrook defended his verbal spat with a fan in a postgame interview suggesting he was defending himself by standing up to the fan:
“I mean, it’s unfortunate. Fans think they can say whatever they want. I’m not going to say [what was said] now because it’s not appropriate, but I’m just protecting myself
“It’s just unfortunate fans think they can get away with saying anything and, personally, I won’t allow it. I’ve [taken] a lot of people saying anything and getting away with it, but I won’t stand for it.”
Ugly incidents Friday at Decatur High School not only shows this has trickled down to the high school level, but also shows a pattern of this verminous behavior at the school’s sporting events.
Yesterday when the Tucker High School boys varsity team faced the Decatur High School boys varsity team to kick off regional play on Decatur’s home court, fans spewed all manner of vitriol towards Tucker players and fans. Players were mocked, excoriated, demeaned, heckled and everything else that’s become synonymous with the fan-player sporting relationship.
Fans add a soul to the game that makes the entire atmosphere electric and exciting. They give tremendous energy and an adrenaline rush to the home team and opposing teams that thrive on fandoms hate. When they were missing during the pandemic, arenas were sterile and soulless. Games are better with them.
However, yesterday’s game crossed far over the line. Aside from the verbal attacks absorbed by some of the players, fans also harassed and assaulted Tucker parents and fans. In one section, a male student had multiple unprovoked profanity laced tirades directed towards a few older adult women rooting for Tucker. He walked over to where they were sitting and attempted to bully them by taunting them in their face.
At the end of an otherwise incredibly entertaining game (that Decatur managed to escape with a 1 point victory after a no-call collision disrupted Tucker’s shot at the buzzer), this same person surrounded by a group of other Bulldog fans spit candy out of his mouth and hurled it at a young lady wearing a Tucker sweater and hit her on the head. He and his band of friends at Decatur then ran out of the stands with reckless abandon while running over people and causing a minor commotion atop the arena.
Though Decatur’s former principal once stated that Decatur Bulldogs are “purposeful, accountable, connected and kind”, being a little tone deaf and accepting of chiding from fans should come with the territory within reason. Most fans are respectful and most players can appreciate a little banter and trash talking. It’s part of the game.
But, this level of disrespect seems a pattern at Decatur Bulldogs hosted events. Last year, WSB reported on an issue with fans fighting in the stands when Flowery Branch visited Decatur. It prompted letters to parents from the principal and wholesale changes in game related policies.
It has to stop before someone gets seriously hurt. At some point, players, parents, and fans of opposing teams won’t accept it any longer. NBA player Russell Westbrook is a harbinger of that.
” To be completely honest, man, this s*** is getting out of hand. Especially for me, the amount of disrespect, the amount of fans just doing whatever the f*** they want to do. In any other setting, I’m all for fans enjoying the game. It’s part of sports. I get it. But there are some things that can cross the line. In any other setting, I now for a fact that fans….wouldn’t come up..we’d know what happen”.
Let’s stop this from continuing. NBA players have warned us. We don’t need another brawl at the palace taking place at a high school sporting event before heeding their advice. Tucker fans were nice. Others might not be so forgiving.
Tucker Courtyard 