Football Friday: Boo-oo-oo! Edition
"Seattle Halloween 2007," by Seattlest Flickr contributor dblrbl
When is it okay to boo?
Sure, there's been plenty to disagree with lately, ranging from the on-field play of our local sports teams all the way to the national economy. But when is it okay to actually stand up out of frustration and boo?
We ask this because we really don't think we know anymore. We moved here from the Philly area a decade ago, and Philly fans boo everything. (They don't call it "Nega-delphia" for nothing.) We were there at Husky Stadium when, after getting booed for some conservative play-calling, Mike Holmgren responded, "Fuck the fans!" Everyone had their say, and all was right with the world, in our eyes.
But in 2001, when Alex Rodriguez returned to town for his first game after leaving the Ms for the Texas Rangers, our sporting world was turned upside down. For every fan booing A-Rod, there was at least one cheering him. While we joined in the booing (for just cause, we think), the 50-year-old guy sitting next to us looked at us as if he was going to cry. He looked at us and just said "Stop!" It was one of the oddest experiences we've had at a game, and we grew up watching the Detroit Lions. The guy never talked to us again, and we ended up giving up our fifth-row season tickets, because it just wasn't fun to go to the games anymore, with the unhappy and unforgiving camper sitting next to us.
Today, we don't know what to make of booing. We don't think people booed Notre Dame enough last week when they were going for it on 4th-and-19. We think people boo the home team too easily at Seahawks games. We just don't know anymore.
So tell us, Seattle. When is it okay to boo?
Saturday
WSU at Stanford (2 p.m. 1090, no TV)
The Cougs had a week off. The Cardinal are favored by 30 points. This can't be good. Thankfully, it's not televised.
Prediction: Cardinal 42, Cougs 10
UW at USC (3:30 p.m. FSN, 950)
Coach Willingham is gone at the end of the season, and the Trojans are favored by over 40 points. This can't be good. Try returning a punt, will ya?
Prediction: Trojans 72, Huskies 0
Sunday
Eagles at Seahawks (1:00 p.m., FOX, 710 KIRO)
Hasselbeck, Kerney, and Branch all out for this one. The fans will be booing early and often, as the Hawks try to establish a running game. But they will run the ball.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Iggles 24
Don't like football? The Everett Silvertips are hosting Spokane on Friday and Edmonton on Saturday, including "safe" trick-or-treating Friday before the game.
