My friend Steve has been a Redskins fan for a few years — 50 or so. His family has had season tickets since the team played in Griffith Stadium. The seats stayed with them as the team moved to what became RFK Stadium and now to FedEx Field.
Steve attended the first home game of the season last Sunday. He was seated above the 50 yard line at the kickoff. He roared along with the Redskins faithful for the team’s few first downs. The day was warm, but the stadium grew cold. By the second half, the fans were silent as the team failed to cross the goal line — all day.
Then they booed.
“It was the first time I had heard Redskins fans boo,” Steve said. “Kind of a surprise.”
Redskins fans are patient, almost eternally hopeful, perennially expecting their team to make it to the Super Bowl. That’s so endearing. But as a Philly boy and die-hard Eagles fan, I say: “Wake up and boo!”
I’m not suggesting you throw snowballs at Santa Claus or beat up fans who dare show up at an Eagles game wearing the opposing team’s jersey. Too many Eagles fans are belligerent jerks. I am embarrassed when they show up here and act dumb.
But when a Philly team loses year after year, the fans show it by booing, vilifying the owner and staying away from the stands. The owner gets the message and tries to produce a better team. Could it be that Washington fans are too sweet and forgiving? Is that why Washington’s sports teams are such losers? Or is it the water?
Last week the Redskins won, but they were downright hard to watch.
Last week the Washington Nationals lost their 100th game of the season.
Last season the Washington Wizards basketball team was dead last in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 19 wins against 63 losses, the Wiz was 47 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Last season D.C. United, the capital city’s pro soccer team, finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
On the positive side, the hockey team ain’t so bad. The Capitals made the playoffs last season. But the Caps are the only decent professional sports team in town.
Baltimore has more balance. The Orioles are almost as dreadful as the Nationals. They could lose 100 games, too. But the Ravens have been fun to watch and make it to the playoffs consistently.
What to do?
If we assume that fielding decent teams is possible, I suggest the fans revolt. The only way to make Dan Snyder more like Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney is to hit him in his ear and his pocket. Boo and quit coming to the games. Fans were chattering on the sports blogs about boycotting games. When Snyder gazes from his box and sees gaps in the stands, he might field a better team.
Same for the other teams. Time to get mad.
E-mail Harry Jaffe at [email protected].
