A Few Whacko Fans Swear at Riders' Receptionists

[WestCoastJoe]

So-called fans need to get a grip

Rob Vanstone The Leader-Post

Saturday, March 08, 2008

The venom can be transmitted in the form of expletive-laden telephone calls, non-punctuation e-mails or (shudder) in person.

A few dozen organisms who consider themselves the World's Greatest Fans are, in fact, imposters.

At the other end of the intellectual spectrum, there is Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman.

The vilification of Tillman began Wednesday, when it was announced that the Roughriders had traded quarterback Kerry Joseph -- the CFL's reigning MVP -- to the Toronto Argonauts for unheralded compensation.

Cue the wailing.

Tillman has incurred the wrath of many fans by trading a 34-year-old quarterback who is coming off his one great year in the CFL. The Riders' GM was understandably reluctant to lavish a six-figure raise upon a quarterback who perceives himself to be one of the elite performers at his position.

Earth to Kerry: String together a series of stellar seasons before voicing an entitlement to top dollar.

Yes, Joseph won a Grey Cup in his final game as a Roughrider -- but it was also one of his least-productive games in Green and White. Joseph was three James Johnson interceptions shy of being labelled a Grey Cup goat. Imagine how people would have reacted then.

During the 2006 season, some fans (?) booed Joseph. Now those same people are boo-hooing over his departure.

Earth to overheated Rider fans: Tillman has been the GM of three Grey Cup champions. He has celebrated as many titles in a 13-year span as the Roughriders have in almost a century.

That does not exempt him from questioning, but people should peruse his track record before coming unglued.

Tillman faced some criticism 15 months ago when Kent Austin was hired. He went on to become the coach-of-the-year. It was also Tillman who, while with the Ottawa Renegades, brought Joseph to the CFL in 2003. Are the cases of Austin and Joseph not a testament to Tillman's football acumen?

Riders fans -- in effect, the owners of the community-owned team -- are entirely within their rights to criticize the deal. That is fair game. So is Tillman.

But some fans -- merely a few, but still too many -- have gone too far in demonstrating opposition to the move.

It is one thing to dissect the deal from a football perspective. It is the prerogative of the fan to formulate and dispense opinions, often in intemperate fashion. Games people play have been known to inspire emotional reactions, and that is absolutely fine. Passion is part of the package in Riderville.

However, nobody should have to endure the type of abuse to which some Roughriders employees have apparently been subjected in recent, indecent days. Tillman indicated that the CFL team's receptionist and ticket-office staff have fielded repeated obscene calls from outraged (ahem) fans.

Much of the bile is directed toward Tillman, who should actually be a hero in this province. But who ends up dealing directly with the nonsense? The Roughriders' staffers -- including four female employees who have been sworn at, repeatedly, since Wednesday.

It must be emphasized that the obscene callers are a small fragment of the Roughriders' otherwise exemplary fan base, but their boorish behaviour can tarnish everyone's reputation.

Sadly, there have been recurrent episodes of deplorable conduct, such as the infamous manure-dumping of 2004.

The vast majority of Roughriders supporters abhor such conduct. But it only takes a few whackos to ruin it for everyone ... and they're doing it again.

This is probably lost on some of the myopic zealots who have been harassing Roughriders employees of late.

Those brave, bold callers do not identify themselves by name or phylum. But we do know this much: They are alone.

[WestCoastJoe]

These are no doubt the same "fans" who would have dumped manure on Kerry Joseph's lawn, had his 3 interceptions in the Grey Cup cost the Riders the game.

Some fans just over-react both ways to everything. And then take it out on people (receptionists) who certainly don't deserve it.

Whoever these individuals are, they can't call themselves loyal fans. Their behaviour is juvenile, short-sighted and destructive to the team and the organization. They are an embarrassment. Somehow they have assumed that it is their team, and they are entitled to behave badly in venting their frustrations.

They take a good thing (winning the Grey Cup) and turn it into something else.

As it happens, many observers think Tillman is making the right decisions for the long-term success of the Riders organization.

These misbehaving bozos have no clue about what works, or what is right for the organization. All they know how to do is to make a lot of noise and swear at receptionists.

[Hambone]

These are no doubt the same "fans" who would have dumped manure on Kerry Joseph's lawn, had his 3 interceptions in the Grey Cup cost the Riders the game.

The 3 interceptions Vanstone refered to were ones Rider DB James Johnson hauled in off Bomber QB Ryan Dinwiddie. They were crucial in helping the Riders overcome what was a rather mediocre performance by Joseph who only threw 1 pick in the GC. Other than the 3 picks Dinwiddie actually had better passing numbers than Joseph in the GC. Joseph's offensive contributions came mostly from his legs. Joseph would contribute 10 carries for 101 yards but in the air was only 13 of 34 for 181 yards 1 TD and 1 INT. Johnson effectively was one of the Riders' top "receivers" with 3 INTs for 40 yards and 1 TD. Fantuz was 4 for 70 and a TD and Flick 4 for 38. The rest of the Rider receiving corps would combine for only 73 yards on 5 receptions.

It's the irony of it all. Some Rider fans are wanting Tillman ran out of town on a rail for trading Joseph. Yet had Johnson not saved the day and the Grey Cup those same fans would be wanting to run Tillman out of town for NOT getting rid of Joseph.

[ilovetheriders]

these crazies do not represent the majority of Rider Fans...

[Hambone]

these crazies do not represent the majority of Rider Fans...

Every team has their share of wingnuts that call themselves fans. A team with a larger following might have more, but the percentage from one team to the next remains the same.

[WestCoastJoe]

These are no doubt the same "fans" who would have dumped manure on Kerry Joseph's lawn, had his 3 interceptions in the Grey Cup cost the Riders the game.

The 3 interceptions Vanstone refered to were ones Rider DB James Johnson hauled in off Bomber QB Ryan Dinwiddie.

Thanks for the correction, Hambone. I watched the Grey Cup game, but forgot about the DB making those picks. The point is the same, however.

Sometime back, I read that the word "fan" comes from "fanatic." No surprise there. Any passionate fan, especially when still youthful, knows how heated the emotions can get. Too bad when it reaches these kind of levels.

I hope the "hooliganism" we hear about in British soccer does not reach these shores anytime soon. That kind of stuff is not about sports. It represents some kind of larger social problem. But the madness of it must have some similar roots to "fanatic" behaviour. I first heard about the dangers of attending a soccer game in England 30 years ago. The advice was: "Do not wear any team colors. Whichever side you choose, the other side will be a threat to your safety." Since that time, the dangers have accelerated.

[ziggy]

Sometimes folks take things way too personal! Perhaps they have too much of themselves invested in their team. It's a great game, but at the end of the day its just a game. I've found over the years that more and more so called fans our becoming intolerant and inconsiderate of anyone outside their own group. Almost getting to be tribal! I find it hard to believe real football fans would act this way, particularly towards their own organization.

[Canuck_4_Life]

These are no doubt the same "fans" who would have dumped manure on Kerry Joseph's lawn, had his 3 interceptions in the Grey Cup cost the Riders the game.

The 3 interceptions Vanstone refered to were ones Rider DB James Johnson hauled in off Bomber QB Ryan Dinwiddie.

Thanks for the correction, Hambone. I watched the Grey Cup game, but forgot about the DB making those picks. The point is the same, however.

Sometime back, I read that the word "fan" comes from "fanatic." No surprise there. Any passionate fan, especially when still youthful, knows how heated the emotions can get. Too bad when it reaches these kind of levels.

I hope the "hooliganism" we hear about in British soccer does not reach these shores anytime soon. That kind of stuff is not about sports. It represents some kind of larger social problem. But the madness of it must have some similar roots to "fanatic" behaviour. I first heard about the dangers of attending a soccer game in England 30 years ago. The advice was: "Do not wear any team colors. Whichever side you choose, the other side will be a threat to your safety." Since that time, the dangers have accelerated.

I'd be more worried about attending a soccer game in Italy or wherever England plays than attending a club match in England.

[PigSkin_53]

Almost getting to be tribal! I find it hard to believe real football fans would act this way, particularly towards their own organization.

Saskatchewan’s infamous radical fan faction are get a reputation for being the most fickle and intolerant of all CFL franchises, as they are always in the in the news misbehaving.

If it is isn't the manure incident it is uttering death threats at fellow Saskatchewan CFL fans that cheer for the enemy (BC Lion fan on the sports radio talk show last season).

These latest obscenities directed at Tillman and the front office reinforces the rude, hooligan behavior, which has quickly become a reoccurring pattern with Rider Neanderthals.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Almost getting to be tribal! I find it hard to believe real football fans would act this way, particularly towards their own organization.

Saskatchewan’s infamous radical fan faction are get a reputation for being the most fickle and intolerant of all CFL franchises, as they are always in the in the news misbehaving.

If it is isn't the manure incident it is uttering death threats at fellow Saskatchewan CFL fans that cheer for the enemy (BC Lion fan on the sports radio talk show last season).

These latest obscenities directed at Tillman and the front office reinforces the rude, hooligan behavior, which has quickly become a reoccurring pattern with Rider Neanderthals.

Nice, things must be improving here since it took less than 24 hrs for the sweeping generlization insult towards ALL Roughrider fans.

[Rammer]

Almost getting to be tribal! I find it hard to believe real football fans would act this way, particularly towards their own organization.

Saskatchewan’s infamous radical fan faction are get a reputation for being the most fickle and intolerant of all CFL franchises, as they are always in the in the news misbehaving.

If it is isn't the manure incident it is uttering death threats at fellow Saskatchewan CFL fans that cheer for the enemy (BC Lion fan on the sports radio talk show last season).

These latest obscenities directed at Tillman and the front office reinforces the rude, hooligan behavior, which has quickly become a reoccurring pattern with Rider Neanderthals.

Nice, things must be improving here since it took less than 24 hrs for the sweeping generlization insult towards ALL Roughrider fans.

I think the brush stroking of all Rider fans is being done by yourself, unless you categorize all Rider fans as Neanderthals?

[Solar Max]

Nice, things must be improving here since it took less than 24 hrs for the sweeping generlization insult towards ALL Roughrider fans.

This forum is a place for everyone to be welcome, and feel welcome. No one here generalized about your fanbase, except as Rammer aptly pointed out, yourself.

Fans of all teams are more than welcome here, but if you come into our living room, you had better not pee on the rug.

[Hambone]

Saskatchewan’s infamous radical fan faction are get a reputation for being the most fickle and intolerant of all CFL franchises, as they are always in the in the news misbehaving.

If it is isn't the manure incident it is uttering death threats at fellow Saskatchewan CFL fans that cheer for the enemy (BC Lion fan on the sports radio talk show last season).

These latest obscenities directed at Tillman and the front office reinforces the rude, hooligan behavior, which has quickly become a reoccurring pattern with Rider Neanderthals.

Nice, things must be improving here since it took less than 24 hrs for the sweeping generlization insult towards ALL Roughrider fans.

I'm not sure why you'd take PS53's post to be a broadbrush shot at ALL Rider faithful. You're totally missing the keyword being faction.
Faction
noun
: a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking : clique.
Clique
noun
: a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons; especially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposes

From Pigskin's post I take the Neanderthals to be a narrow exclusive group from within the
Rider Nation. It's probably amounts to less than 2% of the Rider fanbase. And as I said earlier whatever that percentage may be the Lions will have a similar percentage capable of being idiots and an embarrassment to the rest of our respective fanbases. One only need listen to the sports talkshows to know they exist.

[ilovetheriders]

Almost getting to be tribal! I find it hard to believe real football fans would act this way, particularly towards their own organization.

Saskatchewan’s infamous radical fan faction are get a reputation for being the most fickle and intolerant of all CFL franchises, as they are always in the in the news misbehaving.

If it is isn't the manure incident it is uttering death threats at fellow Saskatchewan CFL fans that cheer for the enemy (BC Lion fan on the sports radio talk show last season).

These latest obscenities directed at Tillman and the front office reinforces the rude, hooligan behavior, which has quickly become a reoccurring pattern with Rider Neanderthals.

I would like to invite you to a game at Taylor Field. You will have a blast, win or lose. It is the greatest atmosphere in the league. You have to experience it. If you agree to this we will gladly take you out for supper...have a few drinks and talk about the passion we have for The CFL and our teams. The game is Sept 20th let us know!

[PigSkin_53]

Almost getting to be tribal! I find it hard to believe real football fans would act this way, particularly towards their own organization.

Saskatchewan’s infamous radical fan faction are get a reputation for being the most fickle and intolerant of all CFL franchises, as they are always in the in the news misbehaving.

If it is isn't the manure incident it is uttering death threats at fellow Saskatchewan CFL fans that cheer for the enemy (BC Lion fan on the sports radio talk show last season).

These latest obscenities directed at Tillman and the front office reinforces the rude, hooligan behavior, which has quickly become a reoccurring pattern with Rider Neanderthals.

I would like to invite you to a game at Taylor Field. You will have a blast, win or lose. It is the greatest atmosphere in the league. You have to experience it. If you agree to this we will gladly take you out for supper...have a few drinks and talk about the passion we have for The CFL and our teams. The game is Sept 20th let us know!

This is an honorable and generous invitation of friendship and is warmly received.

Please don't take offense to comments I have made concerning a small percentage of over zealous freaks that embarrass the majority of Rider fans everywhere, and truly some of the greatest football fans in the CFL.