Is Sportsmanship Overrated?

Gone are the days when two teams congratulated each other at the end of a hard-fought contest while the fans stood and cheered, and lived to play another day.

We don't live in that world any more.  With the Supreme Court saying yes to religious groups picketing outside funerals and civil discourse in the political arena getting nastier, it's only natural that all this trash talking has been extended to the playing field.

In the March 5, 2011 issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, there was a front-page article describing incidents in which people were being less than good sports.

• At a high school basketball game on February 18, some Eden Prairie students were chanting "Food stamps!  Food stamps!" at the Hopkins supporters.  Eden Prairie is a rich, predominantly white suburb while Hopkins is not.  The newspaper didn't report what the Hopkins students responded with ("Cake eaters!", perhaps?)
• University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Tubby Smith felt it necessary to send an e-mail to student season ticket holders, requesting them in so many words to knock off the profane chants after a game at Williams Arena in which Ohio State players were singled out for ridicule.  (Smith should be more concerned about his own job security after another mediocre Gophers season.)

There were other incidents that the article described, such as the use of racial slurs and sexual taunts directed at cheerleaders.  That's just in Minnesota, folks.  It might be worse where you are.

There have been attempts by school officials to crack down on this type of behavior, to the point where they either make announcements before the games warning of removal from the premises, or they employ student minders to infiltrate certain groups and encourage so-called 'positive' cheering.

That's all well and good, except these same school officials should be aware that they risk tramping on the constitutional rights of students.  This isn't China, you know.

Referees and opposing teams usually bear the brunt of fans' criticism, but they shouldn't be put under a bubble when they deserve it.  Just because the referee blew the call or the opposing team's star player has a criminal record, those who bought a ticket to the game should be expected to clam up?

Constitutional rights don't seem to have much bearing on pro and amateur sports leagues, where players and coaches are routinely fined and/or suspended for even the slightest whiff of complaint about the competence of the officiating.

Someday, there's going to be a player or coach who decides that enough is enough, hires an attorney and sues the leagues for millions.  Then maybe this dictatorial nonsense might cease.

Yes, we need to tone down the rhetoric in sports as well as in politics.  No, we don't expect it to actually happen.  Attempts by schools and leagues to encourage good sportsmanship may be well-intentioned, but in fact are phony and condescending to players and fans alike.  Who wants to be told to shake hands with the opponent you just beat the crap out of?  Respect should be earned, not mandated.