Thread: The Internationalizatioin of American Sports, Sadly

"In the good ole days" I used to read with disdain about other countries where soccer fans rioted and beat each other to death and used to smirk at the prison-like fences teams had to install to keep fans from the players and each other. And I used to feel superior to those non-USA thugs who fight and kill each other over their "Real' (Insert City)" teams.

For the most part, American's were able to be fervid fans of their teams without also being thugs and buttholes. It wasn't uncommon for us to cheer frantically for our teams while also clapping for injured players on the other teams or for us to congratulate fans of teams who beat our team. I can remember the time when we held "sportsmanship" above all else when it came to our teams.

Unfortunately, those days are seemingly gone. Now, beating an opposing fan to near death is not all that uncommon. And fatally shooting them is happening more and more too. Unfortunately, as the worlds melting pot, we are becoming infused with the world's lack of social politeness and civilization. "Muy Macho" and aggressive and insulting smack talk are the norms now.

When it comes to being a sports fan, we are now what we used to abhor. We are the world.

You're just noticing this now? I stopped following professional sports back in the 70's for this very reason.

one of the reasons why they stop selling bottled beer at games

Originally Posted by Moonglow

one of the reasons why they stop selling bottled beer at games

Still have bottles here, albeit plastic ones

Just have to wonder how much of the recent sports related violence is due to our opening our borders under Obama to just about any scum who wants to come in?

What do you expect, it's San Francisco.

Originally Posted by merc

Just have to wonder how much of the recent sports related violence is due to our opening our borders under Obama to just about any scum who wants to come in?

I'd say none at all, because it isn't a recent phenomena.

I'm not buying it. I remember fights in the stands at Yankee stadium when the Red Sox came to town 40 years ago. Thugs and buttholery are universal.

Yeah, I'm not so sure it's a new phenomenon either. I always remember there being knuckleheads.

Originally Posted by timj219

I'm not buying it. I remember fights in the stands at Yankee stadium when the Red Sox came to town 40 years ago. Thugs and buttholery are universal.

Exactly. Hell, old Vet Stadium in Philly had a jail in it long before Obama.