03-22-2003, 02:44 AM
Booing a national anthem is incredibly disrespectful. I've seen this happen more and more lately.
Detroit Piston fans booed the Canadian national anthem when they met the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs. NY Islanders fans booed "O Canada" when the Toronto Maple Leafs came to visit (the Toronto fans cheered loudly when the American anthem was played before the next Isles-Leafs game -- it was a great show of forgiveness and maturity on their behalf). Never mind the fact that 60% of the Islanders team was composed of Canadians, including the team captain and goaltender. I'm sure they LOVED the fact that their own fans booed the anthem of their home country.
I'm not sure what is prompting this utter rudeness by these fans. It's crazy.
I remember a few years back when the Toronto Blue Jays met the Braves in the World Series (can you tell I'm a Toronto fan?). The U.S. Marine (?) Color Guard actually held the Canadian flag UPSIDE-DOWN. I'm sure it was an honest mistake (albeit an incredibly stupid one), but a lot of people I know took it as a slap in the face.
I honestly think that it is about time that national anthems are taken completely out of sporting events. Sports and patriotism really have nothing to do with each other anyways. Indeed, it can be the source of trouble. Witness countless soccer (or "football", to those outside N.America) brawls.
I can understand fans cheering for the home team. I can understand fans booing the opposing team. But booing the national anthem of the opposing team crosses the line. Since some fans can't show common decency, I say we yank the anthems.
Or let Rosanne sing. Your choice.
Detroit Piston fans booed the Canadian national anthem when they met the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs. NY Islanders fans booed "O Canada" when the Toronto Maple Leafs came to visit (the Toronto fans cheered loudly when the American anthem was played before the next Isles-Leafs game -- it was a great show of forgiveness and maturity on their behalf). Never mind the fact that 60% of the Islanders team was composed of Canadians, including the team captain and goaltender. I'm sure they LOVED the fact that their own fans booed the anthem of their home country.
I'm not sure what is prompting this utter rudeness by these fans. It's crazy.
I remember a few years back when the Toronto Blue Jays met the Braves in the World Series (can you tell I'm a Toronto fan?). The U.S. Marine (?) Color Guard actually held the Canadian flag UPSIDE-DOWN. I'm sure it was an honest mistake (albeit an incredibly stupid one), but a lot of people I know took it as a slap in the face.
I honestly think that it is about time that national anthems are taken completely out of sporting events. Sports and patriotism really have nothing to do with each other anyways. Indeed, it can be the source of trouble. Witness countless soccer (or "football", to those outside N.America) brawls.
I can understand fans cheering for the home team. I can understand fans booing the opposing team. But booing the national anthem of the opposing team crosses the line. Since some fans can't show common decency, I say we yank the anthems.
Or let Rosanne sing. Your choice.