Have we, in general, lost all sporting event etiquette?

Question

Example: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1189484859197200.xml&coll=1

Well, it's not isolated to Rutgers. I went to a pre-season football game and people were shouting expletives and insults to the opposing team. Most sporting events are full of vulgar, profane behavior in front of women and children.

Is it getting worse? I remember the old stories of the "Bronx Cheer" for opposing teams, and booing players seems to have been going on forever. But have we crossed the line into shouting wishes that the opposing players get hurt? Have we crossed into territory of simple booing of opposing teams to belittling them?

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Oh yes, it's been gone for a long time. Fans have gone way overboard, and then get all bent out of shape when an athlete responds to them.

I once went to a NBA game, and their were these guys just cussing and swearing at Charles Barkley, when he was still playing toward the end of his career, and when he finally reacted to them, they just started laughing. It seems that is what they wanted. I guess they feel more involved in the game.