UNSPORTSLIKE ACTIONS

[Kevin]

I was present in what I think was one of the worst displays by fans. It was 2001, and the Jacksonville Jaguars were playing the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland. The Jags were ahead 15-10 in the fourth quarter, and the Brownswere making a drive for the end zone. It was fourth down with under a minute left and the Browns had no timeouts. They completed a nine yard pass to get the first dow and then hurried to the line to spike the ball and stop the clock. Just before the ball was snapped, the officials called a timeout for a review. After reviewing the play, the replay official decided that the Browns receiver did not have possession of the ball when he caught it, so therefore the ball was turned over on downs.

This of course really pissed off the Cleveland fans, who are known to be hostile a times. After seeing the team getting ready to mke a winning score, the game was taken away from them. Fans started throwing things onto the field from all sides, especialy plastic beer bottles. Things were getting thrown from all over the place. It was hectic and crazy. Players, officials, just people on the sidelines... everyone was gettingstuff thrown at them. It was so bad that an offical declared the game to be over with 48 seconds to go. The Jaguar players retreated to their lockerroom under a hail of beer bottles and trash.

Later the officials decided that the game needed to actually end, so the teams both had to come out so the Jags could take a knee three times, which happened a half hour later.

That game had a few repercussions, including the rule that after that beer had to be sold in plastic cups at all NFL games.

Now that I think of it, Cleveland fans also had a semi-riot and tore up bleachers after the Browns' last game in I believe 1995 because Art Modell decided to moved them to Baltimore to become the Ravens.

Isn't Ohio great? ;D

[Jersey]

I can tell a similar story Spartan.

My father is from Ohio, born and raised there. When he was a young boy his father took them to see a Browns game. I don't know the details but there were many fights in the stands. Things were thrown, and this was back when they had bottles to throw I think. I just know it got very violent. My grandfather actually had to shield his children from the fans there, up against a concrete wall. It was awful and my father says he'll never forget it.

[Classicblast]

Fans take games more seriously than players sometimes.

That's something I learned in Rookie league that when you're the guy on the field you better not fret over a lost game and don't get too high and mighty over a won game either. Since this is a what have you done for me lately world you need to concentrate on the game at hand never mind last night or tomorrow.

Fans have a way of hating you because you play for the wrong team. Its just unfortunate.

[Blastgirl]

Here's something I found after looking at some Unsportsmanlike films this turned up.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmJi_oc7t10&NR=1

My Dad was always an avid sports fan and he hates John McEnroe still to this day because of actions like this. While it may be possible the Umpire was wrong and he was right he doesn't help his cause at all by acting that way.

[thunderbird]

May I take a moment and say John McEnroe is among the biggest babies in any professional sports.

I've seen a lot of sporting events and screaming at an official and getting in his face and insulting his intelligence has never overturned a call in the complainer's favor.

[Phil]

Yep he is still a jerk.

He had a spat not too long ago it was on sports center.