COMMENTARY
By Mike Celizic
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 10:19 a.m. ET Jan. 20, 2006
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In an ideal world, a man going anywhere to protect his wife would never be held accountable for one of the most basic — and laudable — of human instincts. But — and this won’t come as a surprise to anyone — the spectator seating area at a professional sporting event is not an ideal world.
The NBA’s dean of discipline, Stu Jackson, slapped a five-game suspension on Knicks forward Antonio Davis for entering the stands in Chicago when he thought his wife was being attacked by a fan.
It’s probably the best Jackson could do given the absolute, loophole-free, zero-tolerance policy on players entering the stands. After what happened last year in the Palace in Auburn Hills when Ron Artest started flailing away in the stands when he was hit by a drink container, neither the NBA nor any other sport can allow players to enter the stands.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s announcement does nothing to address the underlying problem, which is fan behavior.
Players know it’s an absolute no-no, as it must be. But, just as every expectant father will break all speed laws and run a stop sign or two in getting his wife to the hospital when the labor pains are coming fast and heavy, every decent husband will rush to his wife’s defense if he thinks she is in danger. If the actions result in a fine or suspension, the man will gladly pay that price.
Antonio Davis controversy |
Knick rushed into stands in Chicago |
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So you can quibble that Davis should have been given a two- or three-game suspension instead of five games, but the punishment is sufficiently short to not place an unjust burden on Davis and the Knicks, but long enough to emphasize the league’s position.
What fans don’t know – or refuse to accept – is that buying a ticket does not entitle them to become obnoxious and offensive yahoos. There have been plenty of incidents over the years of players going into the stands or lashing out at fans. None are justified by the rules of the game or the rules of behavior, but most are in some way understandable. The abuse and sometimes rage that is poured out against opposing players is beyond all reason.
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It’s a tribal thing. To cheer for a team is to belong to that team’s nation, to wear its colors, to observe ritual cheers and behavior. It is to objectify the opposition, which becomes the enemy, and to look at those who dare to appear in your house wearing the other team’s color as someone who can be hailed and abused. In some stadiums, they’re considered targets for projectiles.
We can say it’s just a game all we want, but to a true fan, it’s part of life itself. We can’t seem to help it; it’s hard-wired into our brains.
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